(24) How many are the things You have made, O LORD; You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your creations. (25) There is the sea, vast and wide, with its creatures beyond number, living things, small and great. (26) There go the ships, and Leviathan that You formed to sport with.

(7) On the fifth day He brought forth from the water the Leviathan, the flying serpent, and its dwelling is in the lowest waters; and between its fins rests the middle bar of the earth. All the great sea monsters in the sea are the food for the Leviathan. Every day it opens its mouth, and the great sea monster destined to be eaten that day (tries) to escape and flee, but it enters the mouth of the Leviathan; and the Holy One, blessed be He, plays with it, as it is said, "Leviathan that You formed to sport with" (Ps. 104:26).

(25) Can you draw out Leviathan by a fishhook? Can you press down his tongue by a rope? (26) Can you put a ring through his nose, Or pierce his jaw with a barb? (27) Will he plead with you at length? Will he speak soft words to you? (28) Will he make an agreement with you To be taken as your lifelong slave? (29) Will you play with him like a bird, And tie him down for your girls? (30) Shall traders traffic in him? Will he be divided up among merchants? (31) Can you fill his skin with darts Or his head with fish-spears? (32) Lay a hand on him, And you will never think of battle again. (1) See, any hope [of capturing] him must be disappointed; One is prostrated by the very sight of him. (2) There is no one so fierce as to rouse him; Who then can stand up to Me? (3) Whoever confronts Me I will requite, For everything under the heavens is Mine.

Rabba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will make a feast for the righteous from the flesh of the leviathan, as it is stated: “The ḥabbarim will make a feast [yikhru] of him” (Job 40:30). And kera means nothing other than a feast, as it is stated: “And he prepared [va’yikhreh] for them a great feast [kera]; and they ate and drank” (II Kings 6:23). And ḥabbarim means nothing other than Torah scholars, as it is stated: “You that dwell in the gardens, the companions [ḥaverim] hearken for your voice: Cause me to hear it” (Song of Songs 8:13). This verse is interpreted as referring to Torah scholars, who listen to God’s voice. And with regard to the remainder of the leviathan, they will divide it and use it for commerce in the markets of Jerusalem, as it is stated: “They will part him among the kena’anim” (Job 40:30). And kena’anim means nothing other than merchants, as it is stated: “As for the merchant [kena’an], the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loves to oppress” (Hosea 12:8). And if you wish, say that the proof is from here: “Whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers [kinaneha] are the honorable of the earth” (Isaiah 23:8). And Rabba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will prepare a sukka for the righteous from the skin of the leviathan, as it is stated: “Can you fill his skin with barbed irons [besukkot]” (Job 40:31). If one is deserving of being called righteous, an entire sukka is prepared for him from the skin of the leviathan; if one is not deserving of this honor, a covering is prepared for his head, as it is stated: “Or his head with fish-spears” (Job 40:31). If one is deserving at least of this reward, a covering is prepared for him, and if one is not deserving, a necklace is prepared for him, as it is stated: “And necklaces about your neck” (Proverbs 1:9). If one is somewhat deserving, a necklace is prepared for him, and if one is not deserving even of this, only an amulet is prepared for him from the skin of the leviathan, as it is stated: “Or will you bind him for your maidens” (Job 40:29), i.e., a small amulet is prepared for him, like the amulets tied on children’s necks. And with regard to the remaining part of the skin of the leviathan, the Holy One, Blessed be He, spreads it on the walls of Jerusalem, and its glory radiates from one end of the world until the other end. As it is stated: “And nations shall walk in your light, and kings at the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3).

(1) Source of all energy and power! Who could possibly duplicate Your mighty works? You constructed chambers above the cold waters, and placed the globe in space. When the world was filled with total darkness You wrapped yourself in Your garment, radiating with morning light. You divided the impetuous waters with an awesome, crystal-like sky; and gathered them into the depths so they would not cover the dry land. You uncovered the surface of the earth, and brought forth vegetation. You planted a garden in the East for those who praise you. Great luminaries You placed in the sky along with host of stars and constellations; which You commanded [to illuminate the world]. An abundance of swimming creatures and flying creatures. You created from the palm of Your hand; and the Leviathan which You reserved for the feast of Torah scholars.