(Lev. 22:28:) “In the case of an animal from the herd or the flock, [you shall not slaughter] it and its offspring on the same day.”<sup class="footnote-marker">66</sup><i class="footnote">Although the nouns here are masculine singular and would normally read: IN THE CASE OF A BULL OR A SHEEP, Rashi understands the verse as only prohibiting the slaughter of a female beast and its offspring on the same day. Others like Ibn Ezra understand the prohibition in the verse as referring to both sexes. For a discussion of the two interpretations, see <i>Hul</i>. 78b-80a.</i> This text is related (to Prov. 12:10), “A righteous one regards the life of his beast, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.”<sup class="footnote-marker">67</sup><i class="footnote">Lev. R. 27:11: <i>PRK</i> 9:11.</i> “A righteous one regards the life of his beast.” This refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written in the Torah (in Deut. 22:6 with reference to birds), “you shall not take the mother with the young.”<sup class="footnote-marker">68</sup><i class="footnote">Cf. Tos. <i>Meg</i>. 25a.</i> “But the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” This refers to Sennacherib, of whom it is written (in Hos. 10:14), “the mother was dashed to pieces with the children.” “A righteous one regards the life of his beast.” This refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written in the Torah (in Lev. 22:28), “In the case of an animal from the herd or the flock, [you shall not slaughter] it and its offspring….” “But the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” This refers to Haman, of whom it is written (in Esth. 3:13), “to destroy and to annihilate [all the Jews].” R. Levi said, “Woe to the wicked, because they devise secret plans against Israel.<sup class="footnote-marker">69</sup><i class="footnote">M. Ps. 2:4.</i> Each and every one says, ‘My plan is better than your plan.’ Esau said, ‘Cain was stupid to kill [his brother] Abel during his father's lifetime.<sup class="footnote-marker">70</sup><i class="footnote">Cf. Gen. R. 75:9.</i> Did he not know that his father would be fruitful and multiply [afterwards]? I am not acting like that. Instead (in Gen. 27:41), “Let the days of mourning for my father come; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”’ Pharaoh said, ‘Esau was stupid to say, “Let the days of mourning for my father come.” Did he not know that his brother would be fruitful and multiply during his father's lifetime? I will not act like that. Instead, while they are tiny under their mothers' birthstool, I will strangle them.’ Thus it is written (in Exod. 1:22), ‘Every son born you shall throw into the Nile.’ Haman said, ‘Pharaoh was stupid to say, “Every son born [you shall throw into the Nile, but every daughter you shall keep alive].” Did he not know that, when the daughters are married to men,<sup class="footnote-marker">71</sup><i class="footnote">According to <i>Yafat Toar</i>, this means foreign men, but it appears to me to be speaking about older Jewish men who were born before this decree (Ed. FN).</i> they are fruitful and multiply through them. I will not act like that. Instead, [I will act] (in Esth. 3:13), “to destroy and to annihilate [all the Jews, young and old, children and women, on a single day].”’” R. Levi said, “Gog and Magog as well are going to say the same, ‘The former ones were stupid because they devised secret plans against Israel. Did they not know that they have a Patron<sup class="footnote-marker">72</sup><i class="footnote">Lat.: <i>patronus.</i></i> in the heavens? I will not act like that. First I will join in battle with their Patron, and after that I will join in battle with them.’” Thus it is written (in Ps. 2:2), “The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “O wicked one, have you come to Me to join in battle?<sup class="footnote-marker">73</sup><i class="footnote">Rt.: <i>ZWG.</i> The root more commonly refers to joining in wedlock as does the Greek verb, <i>zeugnunai.</i></i> By your life I will wage war with you,” as stated (in Is. 42:13), “The Lord shall go forth like a warrior […].” It also says (in Zech. 14:3) “Then the Lord will come forth and fight with those nations.”