Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.

(Numb. 4:18:) DO NOT CUT OFF. This text is related (to Ps. 33:18-19): BEHOLD, THE EYE OF THE LORD IS ON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, [ON THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH]. The text speaks along many lines of thought.¹⁴⁵ For this use of the word, Buber, n. 209, cites Lev. R. 34:8. For the other interpretations, see above, Gen. 6:5. For what we need, however, it is speaking about the tribe of Levi.¹⁴⁶., Numb. 1:24; Numb. R. 5:1. And where is it shown? Where the tribe of Levi is called Those who Fear the Lord, as stated (in Mal. 2:5): AND I GAVE THEM (i.e., life and peace) TO HIM (i.e. Levi) AS WELL AS FEAR, AND HE FEARED ME. (Ps. 33:18:) ON THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE, because they are always waiting for the name of the Holy One.(Ps. 33:19:) TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH AND TO KEEP THEM ALIVE IN FAMINE, through the twenty-four gifts which the Holy One has given them:¹⁴⁷ 2:7-9; BQ 110b (bar.); Hul. 133b (bar.); cf. Hal. 4:9. Ten in the sanctuary, ten within the borders, and four in Jerusalem. The ten in the sanctuary are

footnotes: ¹⁴⁵ Shittim. ¹⁴⁶ Tanh ¹⁴⁷ THal.

Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.

The sin offering (Lev. 6:17-23; Zev. 5:3),

The guilt offering (Lev. 5:14-16, 20-26; 19:20-22; Zev. 5:5),

The community peace sacrifices (Lev. 23:19-20; Zev. 5:5),

The sin offering of a fowl (Lev. 5:8),

The guilt offering for a doubtful sin (Lev. 5:17-19; Zev. 5:5),

The leper's log of oil (Lev. 14:12),

The two loaves (Lev. 23:17),

The shewbread (Exod. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-9),

The remnant of the omer (Lev. 23:10-12; Men. 10:4), and

The remainder of the meal offering (Lev. 2:3).

Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.

The ten within the borders are

Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.

The terumah (Numb. 18:12),

The terumah of the tithe (Numb. 18:25-29),

The hallah (Numb. 15:18-21),

The first of the shorn wool (Deut. 18:4),

The shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach (Deut. 18:3),

The redemption of the first-born son (Numb. 18:15-16),

The redemption of a firstling ass (Exod. 13:13),

The payment for the robbery of a proselyte (THal. 2:9; BQ 110b; Hul. 133b),

Things consecrated (Numb. 18:14; Bik. 3:12), and

A field of possession (Lev. 27:16-21)

Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.

The four in Jerusalem are

Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.

The firstlings of animals (Numb. 18:17-18),

The first fruits (Exod. 23:19; Numb. 18:13; Hal. 4:9),

The priest's share from the thank-offering ram and from the Nazarite ram, the breast of the peace offerings, and the thigh (Exod. 29:27-28; Lev. 7:12-14; 31-34; 10:14-15; Numb. 6:13-20; 18:18), and

Skins of burnt, sin, and guilt offerings (Lev. 7:8; Zev. 12:3)

Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.

Are not these twenty-four gifts? Ergo (in Ps. 33:19): AND TO KEEP THEM ALIVE IN FAMINE.