Caffeine + Creatures: Behemot - Sept 10 2024

They are four days in the year that serve as the New Year, each for a different purpose: On the first of Nisan is the New Year for kings; [for counting the years of a king's rule] And the first of Nisan is also the New Year for the order of the Festivals, [for the calendar order] On the first of Elul is the New Year for animal tithes; [for counting the age of cattle] Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Shimon say: The New Year for animal tithes is on the first of Tishrei. On the first of Tishrei is the New Year for counting years, as will be explained in the Gemara; for calculating Sabbatical Years and Jubilee Years, for planting, and for tithing vegetables, [for the agricultural schedule]. On the first of Shevat is the New Year for the tree; [for counting the age of trees]; this ruling is in accordance with the statement of Beit Shammai. But Beit Hillel say: The New Year for trees is on the fifteenth of Shevat.

(15) Take now behemoth, whom I made as I did you; He eats grass, like the cattle. (16) His strength is in his loins, His might in the muscles of his belly. (17) He makes his tail stand up like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are knit together. (18) His bones are like tubes of bronze, His limbs like iron rods. (19) He is the first of G-d’s works; Only his Maker can draw the sword against him. (20) The mountains yield him produce, Where all the beasts of the field play. (21) He lies down beneath the lotuses, In the cover of the swamp reeds. (22) The lotuses embower him with shade; The willows of the brook surround him. (23) He can restrain the river from its rushing; He is confident the Jordan will gush at his command.