PARSHA MATH
Ch. 15, v. 2: "Zeh Keili v'anveihu" - This is my G-d and I will beautify Him
The gemara Shabbos 133b derives from these words, based on the interpretation of the word, "v'anveihu" being sourced from "no'oh," beautiful, that one is to not do his mitzvos in a minimal manner, but rather, to enhance them up to the cost of 1/3rd more. There are two obvious issues we must deal with. The first is why this concept is placed here in these words of our verse, and the second is how we derive that the amount of enhancement is exactly 1/3rd.
The gemara Yerushalmi Kilayim 8:2 says that it was common practice to have a chariot drawn by a single horse. Along came the Paroh of Yoseif's times and increased this to two horses, as per the verse, "Va'yarkeiv oso b'mirke'ves hamishneh" (Breishis 41:43), interpreting "hamishneh" as "having TWO (horses)." When Paroh took chase after the bnei Yisroel after their exodus, he increased the horse-power to three horses, as per the verse, "V'sholishim al kulo" (Shmos 14:7). Targum Yonoson ben Uziel likewise says on this verse that Paroh added a horse to the normal pair.
We see here that Paroh, when taking chase, even though he clearly emancipated the bnei Yisroel (see gemara Yerushalmi P'sochim 4:4) did not keep his word and to add insult to injury he was "m'ha'deir" to add 1/3rd to the number of horses. Hashem in kind drown the horses while they were still tethered as a troika, "umivchar SHOLISHOV tubu b'yam suf." When the bnei Yisroel saw the great miracle of Hashem's miraculously subduing the 1/3rd enhanced team of horses, they responded in kind that they would enhance their service of Hashem in a corresponding amount. This is an application of "Mei'oyvai t'chakmeini mitzvosecho" (T'hilim 119:98), from my enemies You educate me how to do Your precepts. (Bnei Yisoschor Maamo'rei Shabbos maamar #2 Tosfos Shabbos)
In a somewhat similar manner, the N'tzi"v as cited in HaG-doh shel Pesach Gedolei Yisroel questions the juxtaposition of our verse with "mar'k'vos Paroh ......" He likewise cites the above-mentioned gemara and also queries how we arrive at 1/3rd. He adds that the gemara (B.K. 9b) raises a question regarding the 1/3rd. How is it calculated, from within or externally? For example, if we have an object that we are about to purchase for fulfilling a mitzvoh that costs 6 and an enhanced one costs more, is our "hidur" 8, meaning that we calculate 1/3rd of the cost of the basic object, or is the "hidur" 9, meaning that we calculate the total cost and the increase is 1/3rd of the new total.
The Gemara Pesachim 118b says: Rabba bar Mori expounded, "Va'yamru al yam b'yam suf" (T'hilim 106:7). These words teach us that the bnei Yisroel were rebellious at the seashore of Yam Suf. They said in great concern, "Just as we ascend from this body of water here, the Egyptians are also ascending from another spot." In response to this Hashem said to the ministering angel of the water, "Expel the dead bodies onto the seashore. The ministering angel responded, "Is it appropriate for a master who has given his servant (in this case the fish in the water) a present and then asks to have it returned? Hashem said that He offers a 50% increase to the water at a later time. The response to this, although somewhat startling, was, "Does a servant chase after his master to collect a debt?" Hashem responded, "I will have another body of water, the Nachal Kishon, serve as my guarantor." The Yam Suf accepted this and immediately expelled the dead Egyptians, and the bnei Yisroel saw them on the seashore, as related in the verses. The increase by 50% was actualized by Cicero. Here by Yam Suf there were 600 chariots of soldiers, "Sheish mei'os rechev bochur," while by Cicero it says, "Teisha mei'os rechev barzel" (Shoftim 4).
We see from all this that there was an increase of 1/3rd. I'm sure you've noticed that I have written that there was a 50% increase and at the same time stated that we derive a 1/3rd increase. The N'tzi"v says that based on this medrash the increase of 1/3rd is calculated from the new total, which is the same as ½ of the base number, one of the opinions mentioned in the above-quoted Gemara.
50 from 150 = one third (min habar – from the outside)
50 compared to a hundred = 50%
