Mixed kinds and garments mixed of linen and wool

Synopsis

The rabbis discuss the observance of the statutes, and Rabbi Elazar tells them that "You are My witnesses" refers to Yisrael.

Garments Hatred Linen Wool

105. RABBI ABA, RABBI ACHA, AND RABBI YEHUDA rose, and, as they were going, Rabbi Elazar said: "You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people...You shall not hate your brother in your heart...You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge" (Vayikra 19:16-18). We have already dealt with this and all the friends have been attentive to these. But let us say something about this portion. It is written 'You shall keep My statutes. You shall not let your cattle gender with a diverse kind: you shall not sow your field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and wool come upon you' (Ibid. 19).

105. קָמוּ, עַד דַּהֲווּ אַזְלֵי, אָמַר ר' אֶלְעָזָר לֹא תֵלֵךְ רָכִיל בְּעַמֶּךָ לֹא תִשְׂנָא אֶת אָחִיךָ לֹא תִקּוֹם וְלֹא תִטּוֹר. הָא אוֹקִימְנָא לוֹן, וְכֻלְּהוּ אַתְעֲרוּ עָלַיְיהוּ חַבְרַיָּיא, אֲבָל נֵימָא מִלָּה בְּפָרְשָׁתָא דָּא, כְּתִיב, אֶת חֻקּוֹתַי תִּשְׁמוֹרוּ בְּהֶמְתְּךָ לֹא תַרְבִּיעַ כִּלְאַיִם שָׂדְךָ לֹא תִּזְרַע כִּלְאָיִם וּבֶגֶד כִּלְאַיִם שַׁעֲטְנֵז לֹא יַעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ.

David Earth Fear Heaven Jacob Jeremiah Witnesses

106. Rabbi Elazar said: "'You are My witnesses,' says Hashem, 'and My servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe Me...'" (Yeshayah 43:10). "You are My witnesses," refers to Yisrael; we learned, too, that this refers to heaven and earth, as it is written: "I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you" (Devarim 30:19). Yisrael are witnesses one on the other, while heaven and earth, and all are witnesses upon them. "My servant whom I have chosen," this refers to Jacob, as it is written, "and said to me, 'You are My servant, Yisrael, in whom I will be glorified" (Yeshayah 49:3), and: "Therefore fear you not, O My servant Jacob" (Yirmeyah 30:10). Some say it refers to David and David is called "My servant" as it is written, "for My own sake, and for My servant David's sake" (Yeshayah 37:35); "whom I have chosen," refers to the heavenly David, MEANING MALCHUT.

106. פָּתַח ר' אֶלְעָזָר וְאָמַר, אַתֶּם עֵדַי נְאֻם יְיָ' וְעַבְדִּי אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתִּי לְמַעַן תֵּדְעוּ וְתַאֲמִינוּ וְגוֹ.' אַתֶּם עֵדַי, אִלֵּין אִינּוּן יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְתָנֵינָן, אִלֵּין אִינּוּן שְׁמַיָּא וְאַרְעָא, דִּכְתִיב הֲעִידוֹתִי בָכֶם הַיּוֹם אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת הָאָרֶץ. אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל אִינּוּן סָהֲדִין אִלֵּין עַל אִלֵּין, וּשְׁמַיָא וְאַרְעָא וְכֹלָּא, סָהֲדִין עָלַיְיהוּ. וְעַבְדִּי אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתִּי, דָּא יַעֲקֹב, דִּכְתִיב וַיֹּאמֶר לִי עַבְדִי אָתָּה יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר בְּךָ אֶתְפָּאָר, וּכְתִיב, וְאַתָּה אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב. וְאִית דְּאַמְרֵי דָּא דָּוִד. וְדָוִד עַבְדִּי אִקְרֵי, דִּכְתִּיב, לְמַעֲנִי וּלְמַעַן דָּוִד עַבְדִּי אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתִּי, דָּא דָּוִד עִלָּאָה.