Rabbi Simeon ben Pazzi pointed out a contradiction between verses: One verse

says, "And God made the two great lights", and immediately the verse continues, "The greater light...and the lesser light."

The moon said unto the Holy One, blessed be They, "Sovereign of the Universe! Is it possible for two kings to wear one crown?" God answered, "Go then and make thyself smaller".

"Sovereign of the Universe!" cried the moon, "because I have suggested that which is proper must I then make myself smaller?" God replied, "Go, and thou wilt rule by day and by night."

"But what is the value of this?" cried the moon. "Of what use is a lamp in broad daylight?" God replied. "Go. Israel shall reckon by thee the days and the years."

"But it is impossible," said the moon, "to do without the sun for the reckoning of the seasons, as it is written, "And let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and for years."

"Go.The righteous shall be named after thee as we find, Jacob the Small, Samuel the Small, David the Small."

On seeing that it would not be consoled, the Holy One, blessed be They, said, "Bring an atonement for Me for making the moon smaller."

This is what was meant by Rabbi Simeon ben Lakish when he declared, "Why is it that the he-goat offered on the new moon is distinguished in that there is written concerning it unto God? Because the Holy One, blessed be They, said, "Let this he-goat be an atonement for Me for making the moon smaller."