The bull was due to the merit of Abraham of whom it is stated (in Gen. 18:7), “Then Abraham ran unto the herd [...] (for a calf to feed his heavenly visitors).”<sup class="footnote-marker">59</sup><i class="footnote">Lev. R. 17:9; <i>PRK</i> 9:9.</i> The sheep was due to the merit of Isaac, of whom it is stated (in Gen. 22:13), “And Abraham lifted his eyes and he saw, and behold there was a ram [...] (to replace an obedient Isaac as a sacrifice).” The goat was due to the merit of Jacob, of whom it is stated (in Gen. 27:9), “Please go unto the flock, and bring me two good kids of the goats from there.” What is the meaning of “good” (in reference to the two kids)? R. Berekhyah said in the name of R. Helbo, “[They are] good for you and good for your children.<sup class="footnote-marker">60</sup><i class="footnote">Gen. R. 65:14; <i>PR</i> 47:4.</i> [They are] good for you, because through them you are to receive the blessings;<sup class="footnote-marker">61</sup><i class="footnote">When Jacob brought the meat from the goats to his father, he received a blessing.</i> and they are good for your children, because through them atonement is granted to your children on the Day of Atonement.” (Lev. 22:27, cont.:) “It shall remain seven days with its mother.” R. Joshua of Sikhnin says in the name of R. Levi, “[The situation] is similar to a king who entered a province<sup class="footnote-marker">62</sup><i class="footnote">Lev. R. 27:10; <i>PRK</i> 9:10.</i> where he issued a proclamation and said, ‘Let no strangers<sup class="footnote-marker">63</sup><i class="footnote">Gk.: <i>xenoi</i>.</i> who are here see my face before they first see the face of [my] matron.’<sup class="footnote-marker">64</sup><i class="footnote">Lat.: <i>matrona.</i></i> Similarly, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, ‘My children shall not approach me with an offering until the Sabbath [queen] has passed over it. For there are no seven [days] without a Sabbath, and there is no circumcision without [the passing of] a Sabbath.’” R. Isaac said, “An ordinance for humanity and an ordinance for beasts [are on a par].<sup class="footnote-marker">65</sup><i class="footnote">Above, 8:9.</i> An ordinance for humanity is (Lev. 12:3), ‘And on the eighth day [the flesh of his foreskin] shall be circumcised.’ And an ordinance for beasts is (Lev. 22:27), ‘and from the eighth day on, it shall be acceptable [for an offering by fire to the Lord].’”