Seems straightforward, right? But a curious question arises, a question that leads us into a fascinating rabbinic debate found in Bereshit Rabbah 70.
The scene opens with an idolater trying to stump Rabbi Meir with a question about redeeming a donkey's firstborn. "The first issue of your donkey, with what is it redeemed?" he asks. Rabbi Meir, quick on his feet, quotes Exodus 34:20: "The first issue of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb [seh]." The conversation continues, with the idolater pressing Rabbi Meir, and Rabbi Meir deftly navigating each challenge with further scriptural prooftexts. It's a testament to Rabbi Meir's sharp wit and deep knowledge. But that's just the appetizer.
The main course comes when a Samaritan confronts Rabbi Meir. This time, the question digs into the very integrity of Jacob himself. The Samaritan asks: "Do you not say that Jacob is truthful, as the verse says 'Give truth to Jacob'?" (Micah 7:20). Rabbi Meir, of course, agrees. But then comes the zinger: "But did he not say: 'Everything that You will give me I will tithe to You'?"
Here's where it gets interesting. The Samaritan points out that Jacob only separated the tribe of Levi as a tithe. But were there only ten tribes to tithe from? If you count all twelve, shouldn't Jacob have set aside closer to 1.2 tribes? Was Jacob, dare we say, fudging the numbers?
Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin, quoting Rabbi Levi, steps in to defend Jacob. He responds by pointing out that there weren't just twelve tribes. Remember Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph? Genesis 48:5 tells us that Jacob adopted them, declaring, "Ephraim and Manasseh will be for me like Reuben and Simeon." So, fourteen tribes, right?
But the Samaritan is relentless. "All the more so," he argues, "if you add water, add flour!" In other words, adding more tribes should mean an even bigger tithe!
Rabbi Meir, however, has one final, brilliant counter-argument. He points out that there were four matriarchs. The firstborn is considered sacred, and sacred things don't produce more sacred things. So, we deduct one tribe for the firstborn of each matriarch. That brings us back to ten tribes, making Levi a perfect tithe!
It's a clever solution, relying on both textual interpretation and a bit of theological reasoning. The Samaritan is so impressed that he exclaims, "Happy are you, and happy is your nation, that you are found in its midst!"
So, what do we take away from this? It's more than just a clever debate. It shows us how the rabbis grappled with difficult questions, using their knowledge of Torah and tradition to find meaning and defend the integrity of our ancestors. It reminds us that faith isn't about blind acceptance, but about wrestling with the text, questioning, and searching for deeper understanding. And sometimes, the most profound insights come from the most unexpected places.