234. Another explanation of the phrase: "plant of the field" is THAT IT ALLUDES TO the first Messiah, MESSIAH BEN (THE SON OF) DAVID, who was not yet on earth, whereas "herb of the field" is the second Messiah, MESSIAH BEN JOSEPH. HE ASKS: Why WERE THEY NOT "IN THE EARTH?" HE REPLIES, Because Moses was not there with them to serve the Shechinah. Of him, it is written: "And there was not a man to till the ground." The secret is given in the verse: "The staff shall not depart from Judah..." (Beresheet 49:10), which refers to Messiah ben David, "nor the scepter from between his feet," which refers to Messiah ben Joseph. "Until Shiloh come" is an allusion to Moses, as the numerical value of MOSES is the same as that OF SHILOH. "And the obedience of the people be his (Heb. velo yik'hat)" is A PHRASE WHOSE LETTERS ALSO FORM THE HEBREW WORDS, Levi Kohath, WHICH MEANS THAT THE CORRECTION SHALL REACH FROM MOSES TO KOHATH AND LEVI, HIS ANCESTORS.