[7] Thus has R. Tanhuma interpreted
(Gen. 27:1):
NOW IT CAME TO PASS, THAT WHEN ISAAC WAS OLD < AND HIS EYES WERE TOO WEAK TO SEE >. You find that there are twenty generations from Adam to Abraham, and there is no < mention of > old age written about < any of > them except Abraham, as stated (in Gen. 24:1):
NOW ABRAHAM WAS OLD.
1 Isaac arose, < and > it is also written (in Gen. 27:1):
NOW IT CAME TO PASS, THAT WHEN ISAAC WAS OLD. Jacob arose, < and > it is also written (in Gen. 48:10):
NOW ISRAEL'S EYES WERE DIM WITH AGE. This text is related (to Ps. 90:16):
LET YOUR WORK BE WORTHY FOR YOUR SERVANTS AND YOUR GLORY ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILDREN. Now
GLORY can only be old age and gray hair, as stated (in Prov. 20:29):
THE BEAUTY OF THE YOUNG IS THEIR STRENGTH; BUT THE GLORY OF THE OLD IS GRAY HAIR. Ergo (in Ps. 90:16):
AND YOUR GLORY ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILDREN. < These words mean > that Abraham endowed Isaac with five things. Thus have our masters taught (in
'Eduy. 2:9):
A FATHER ENDOWS HIS SON WITH FIVE THINGS: WITH BEAUTY, WITH STRENGTH, WITH WEALTH, WITH WISDOM, AND WITH < LENGTH OF > YEARS. How is it shown about
BEAUTY? In that Isaac was as handsome as Joseph. It is written of Joseph (in Gen. 39:6):
NOW JOSEPH WAS WELL BUILT. Also, when he went to his brothers, they said (in Gen. 37:19):
HERE COMES THIS (
hallazeh)
DREAMER. It is also said of Isaac (in Gen. 24:65):
WHO IS THIS (
hallazeh)
MAN < WALKING IN THE FIELD TO MEET US >? Thus Isaac was as handsome as Joseph. How is it shown that Isaac was mighty in
STRENGTH? Look at how many wells he dug! Thus it is stated (in Gen. 26:18-22):
THEN ISAAC REDUG < THE WELLS OF WATER >…. AND ISAAC'S SERVANTS DUG…. AND THEY DUG ANOTHER WELL…. THEN HE MOVED FROM THERE AND DUG < ANOTHER WELL >…. Look at the power which he had! Where is it shown about
WEALTH? Where it is stated (in Gen. 26:13):
AND THE MAN GREW < RICHER AND RICHER >…. It also says (in vs. 14):
AND HE POSSESSED FLOCKS < AND HERDS >…. Where is it shown about
WISDOM? Where he said to his father (in Gen. 22:7 at the time of his being bound):
HERE ARE THE FIRE AND THE WOOD…. [How is it shown] about
< LENGTH OF > YEARS? In that he was one hundred and eighty years old < when he died >, while Abraham was < only > one hundred and seventy-five. On account of these five things {through which he had attained merit}, five years more than his father's were added to him. It is therefore stated (in Ps. 90:16):
LET YOUR WORK BE WORTHY FOR YOUR SERVANTS…. Anyone who has merit is meritorious in these five things, and anyone who does not have merit is not meritorious and receives five retributions that correspond to them.
2 And who is this anyone? This is Joab, of whom it is stated (in II Sam. 3:29):
MAY IT (Abner's blood) FALL UPON THE HEAD OF JOB AND HIS SON;3 [MAY THE HOUSE OF JOAB NEVER LACK ONE WITH A DISCHARGE, A LEPER, A MALE WHO HANDLES THE SPINDLE, ONE WHO FALLS BY THE SWORD, AND ONE LACKING BREAD]. ONE WITH A DISCHARGE corresponds to
STRENGTH. In the case of one who has a discharge, there is no one weaker than he.
A LEPER corresponds to
BEAUTY. In the case of one who is a leper, even a young < leper >, there is no one more ugly than he.
A MALE WHO HANDLES THE SPINDLE corresponds to
WEALTH; for he [is one] {like a poor woman is one} who, if not spinning flax, has nothing of which to eat.
ONE LACKING BREAD corresponds to
WISDOM, as stated (in Prov. 9:5, where Wisdom says):
COME AND EAT OF MY BREAD. And
ONE WHO FALLS BY THE SWORD corresponds to
< LENGTH OF > YEARS. The one who sins is afflicted by them, but the one who is meritorious receives, as did Isaac. David also gave praise (in Ps. 45:17 [16]):
INSTEAD OF YOUR PARENTS THERE WILL BE YOUR CHILDREN.
[8] Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:1): NOW IT CAME TO PASS, THAT WHEN ISAAC WAS OLD < AND HIS EYES WERE TOO WEAK TO SEE >. This text is related (to Prov. 17:8): A BRIBE IS A STONE OF GRACE (i.e., A PRECIOUS STONE) IN THE EYES OF THE ONE USING IT; WHEREVER HE TURNS, HE PROSPERS.4 Do not say it this way (i.e., with the word GRACE), but A BRIBE IS A STONE IN THE EYES OF THE ONE USING IT. Come and see what the Holy One's burnt offering (i.e., Isaac at his binding) has said: It is not seemly for him to be weak in the eyes. Should one who would give his life for the name of the Holy One and was bound upon the altar have had his eyes weakened? Nevertheless, the Holy One said: I have written in my Torah (in Exod. 23:8): AND DO NOT TAKE A BRIBE. Why? (Deut. 16:19:) BECAUSE A BRIBE BLINDS THE EYES OF THE WISE. So, when he received a bribe from Esau, I weakened his eyes. Now surely, if Isaac the Righteous had his eyes weakened because he took a bribe, how much the worse is it for < just > anyone who receives a bribe from others! It is therefore stated (in Prov. 7:8): A BRIBE IS A STONE OF GRACE. Therefore (in Gen. 27:1): NOW IT CAME TO PASS, THAT WHEN ISAAC WAS OLD AND < HIS EYES > WERE TOO WEAK < TO SEE >. The word "deception" was not mentioned here.
(
Gen. 27:1, cont.:)
AND HE SAID UNTO HIM (Esau): MY SON; AND HE SAID UNTO HIM: HERE I AM. The Holy Spirit also proclaims (in Prov. 26:25):
WHEN HIS (Esau's) VOICE IS GRACIOUS, DO NOT TRUST HIM; FOR THERE ARE SEVEN ABOMINATIONS IN HIS HEART.
5 < I.e., > seven sanctuaries are going to be destroyed: the Tent of Meeting, Gilgal, Shiloh, Nob, Gibeon, the first Temple, and the second Temple. Ergo:
FOR THERE ARE SEVEN ABOMINATIONS IN HIS HEART.
Another interpretation: He will slay the ten tribes and the kings of Israel. Here are two. He will slay the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to make four. He will slay the priests, the Levites, and the dynasty of the house of David, for a total of seven.
[9] Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:1): AND HE SAID UNTO HIM (Esau): MY SON; AND HE SAID UNTO HIM: HERE I AM. Solomon proclaimed (in Prov. 26:23): SILVER DROSS LAID OVER EARTHENWARE ARE BURNING LIPS AND AN EVIL HEART. To what was Esau comparable? To a caldron6 with an outside of gold inlaid with pearls but an inside of earthenware. [Thus did Esau say to his father: HERE I AM, while in his heart he was saying: When will he die?] Thus it is stated (in Gen. 27:41): AND ESAU SAID IN HIS HEART: LET THE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR MY FATHER COME, AND I WILL KILL MY BROTHER JACOB. Ergo (in Prov. 26:23): SILVER DROSS LAID OVER EARTHENWARE…. And so you find that the seed of [Esau], Haman, said in his heart (in Esth. 6:6): NOW HAMAN SAID IN HIS HEART. (Is. 14:13f.:) THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART: < THERE IS NO GOD >. (Is. 14:13:) AND YOU SAID IN YOUR HEART: I WILL ASCEND TO THE HEAVENS…. < I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH >. (Ezek. 38:10:) IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY THAT THOUGHTS SHALL COME UPON YOUR HEART, < AND YOU WILL DEVISE AN EVIL DESIGN >. (Ps. 10:11:) HE HAS SAID IN HIS HEART: GOD HAS FORGOTTEN. (Is. 47:8:) AND NOW {PLEASE} HEAR [THIS], {YOU} ELEGANT WOMAN WHO DWELLS IN SECURITY, WHO SAYS IN HER HEART: [I AM, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE]. Ergo (in Prov. 26:25): FOR THERE ARE SEVEN ABOMINATIONS IN HIS HEART; and Solomon proclaimed (in Prov. 26:23): SILVER DROSS < LAID OVER EARTHENWARE ARE BURNING LIPS AND AN EVIL HEART >.
[10] (Gen. 27:3:) NOW THEN, PLEASE TAKE YOUR IMPLEMENTS, < YOUR QUIVER AND YOUR BOW, AND GO OUT TO THE FIELD >. R. Isaac the Smith said: [YOUR IMPLEMENTS] alludes to the Kingdom of Babylon.7 Thus it is stated (in Dan. 1:2): THEN THE LORD GAVE KING JEHOIAKIM OF JUDAH INTO HIS HAND, WITH SOME OF THE IMPLEMENTS FROM THE HOUSE OF GOD. YOUR QUIVER (teli) alludes to [the kingdom of] Media. Thus it is stated (in Esth. 9:25): SO THEY (the Medes and the Persians) HANGED (talu) HIM (Haman) AND HIS SONS ON THE TREE. AND YOUR BOW alludes to Greece.8 Thus it is stated (in Zech. 9:13): FOR I WILL BEND JUDAH TO ME; A BOW < I WILL FILL WITH EPHRAIM; I WILL STIR UP YOUR CHILDREN, O ZION, AGAINST THE CHILDREN OF GREECE >. AND GO OUT TO THE FIELD alludes to Edom.9 Thus it is stated (in Gen. 32:4 [3]): TO THE LAND OF SEIR, THE FIELD OF EDOM.
(Gen. 27:4f.:) AND MAKE ME DELICACIES…. NOW REBEKAH HAD BEEN LISTENING…. [THEN ESAU WENT TO THE FIELD]. When he had caught < some deer > and bound them, the angel went to set them free and drive them away.10 Again he caught them, but the angel set them free. And why so? Simply to drag out the hours until Jacob would go. So he would go, make < the meal >, enter in with his father, eat, and receive the blessings. Ergo (in Gen. 27:5): THEN ESAU WENT TO THE FIELD TO CATCH GAME TO BRING < HOME >.
(
Gen. 27:6,
8, & 9:)
AND REBEKAH SPOKE UNTO JACOB…. AND NOW MY SON, HEED ME IN WHAT < I CHARGE YOU >. PLEASE GO TO THE FLOCK…. As soon as Esau had gone to get < the venison >, he (Jacob) went to his father, as stated (in Gen. 27:18 & 19):
THEN HE WENT UNTO HIS FATHER…. AND JACOB SAID UNTO HIS FATHER: < I AM ESAU, YOUR FIRST-BORN >…. So he blessed him (in Gen. 27:27). Even though you may say Jacob lied, he did not lie. Balaam said (in Numb. 23:21):
NO ONE HAS BEHELD FALSEHOOD IN JACOB. [He said] merely (in Gen. 27:19 &. 20): I am Jacob;
ESAU [IS] YOUR FIRST-BORN….11 PLEASE ARISE; SIT UP < AND EAT >…. THEN ISAAC SAID UNTO HIS SON: < HOW IS IT THAT YOU WERE SO QUICK > … ? He said to him (in Gen. 27:20, cont.):
BECAUSE THE LORD YOUR GOD MADE IT HAPPEN FOR ME. Then in addition he said to him:
12 When you were bound upon the altar, the angel said (in Gen. 22:12):
DO NOT RAISE YOUR HAND AGAINST THE LAD. Perhaps there was something there. The Holy One only caused < a sacrificial animal > to sprout forth for your sake, as stated (in Gen. 22:13):
THEN ABRAHAM LIFTED HIS EYES < TO LOOK, AND THERE WAS A RAM BEHIND HIM >…. So also he said (here in Gen. 27:20):
BECAUSE THE LORD YOUR GOD MADE IT HAPPEN FOR ME.
13 Now, when Isaac heard him say:
BECAUSE THE LORD YOUR GOD MADE IT HAPPEN FOR ME, he said: This is not Esau. He said: Esau never mentions
THE LORD YOUR GOD. He said to him (in vss. 21f.):
PLEASE COME NEARER AND LET ME TOUCH YOU, MY SON…. SO JACOB CAME NEARER TO HIS FATHER ISAAC…. He said to him: Behold, in voice you are Jacob;
14 BUT (in vs. 22, cont.)
THE HANDS ARE THE HANDS OF ESAU. R. Judah bar Il'ay said:
15 In former generations one would ask: What is the meaning (of Gen. 27:22):
THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB? The voice of the Emperor
16 Hadrian, < who > [killed] eight thousand myriads (80,000,000) in Bethther.
17 R. Johanan said: The voice of Jacob was crying out < over > what the hands of Esau did to him in Bethther.
(Gen. 27:23:) SO HE DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM BECAUSE HIS HANDS WERE < HAIRY LIKE THE HANDS OF HIS BROTHER ESAU >. He (Isaac) foresaw that the wicked ones were going to arise from him; and he did not want to bless him {since he foresaw Jakum.18 When Jerusalem was conquered, the world said: They are afraid to enter into the Temple. What did he do? He entered and brought < out > the menorah. When < Isaac > saw him, he did not want to bless Jacob on his account. SO HE DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM}. When he foresaw that he would repent, there immediately follows (in vs. 27): THEN HE SMELLED THE ODOR OF HIS CLOTHES AND BLESSED HIM…. When Jacob entered, the Garden of Eden (i.e., Paradise) entered with him, as stated (ibid., cont.): LIKE THE ODOR OF A FIELD WHICH THE LORD HAS BLESSED. When Esau entered, Gehinnom entered with him. Thus it is stated (in vs. 33): WHO IS EPHO?19 Now EPHO can only be Gehinnom, since it is stated (in Is. 22:16): THAT YOU HAVE HEWN A TOMB HERE (poh) FOR YOURSELF.
Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:27):
LIKE THE ODOR OF A FIELD.
20 He foresaw that he was going to build Zion and offer sacrifices in its midst; so he blessed him. Now
A FIELD can only be Zion, since it is stated (in Micah 3:12):
ZION SHALL BE PLOWED AS A FIELD. (
Gen. 27:27, cont.:)
< A FIELD > WHICH THE LORD HAS BLESSED. That is what he wrote about (in Ps. 133:3):
LIKE THE DEW OF HERMON < WHICH COMES DOWN UPON THE HILLS OF ZION >.
[11] (Gen. 27:28:) SO MAY THE GOD GIVE TO YOU < FROM THE DEW OF HEAVEN >. {His fulfillment is simply < that of > God. In that my fulfillment belongs to God,}21 ["A God" is not written here but THE GOD. When the God accomplishes his fulfillment], he will give you the blessings with which I have blessed you. Why? Because Jacob was collaborating with his Creator in every matter. R. Pinhas bar Hama the Priest said in the name of R. Reuben: Look at what is written (in Jer. 10:16): NOT LIKE THESE (idols) IS THE PORTION (i.e., the God) OF JACOB, FOR HE HAS FORMED EVERYTHING, < AND ISRAEL IS THE TRIBE OF HIS INHERITANCE >….
David also gives praise22 (in Ps. 110:3): YOUR PEOPLE OFFER THEMSELVES FREELY IN YOUR DAY OF VALOR. Now where is it shown that the righteous were collaborators with the Holy One when he formed a model? Where it is so written (in I Chron. 4:23): THESE WERE THE FORMERS, [EVEN] THE INHABITANTS OF NETAIM…. < These are > [the ones who are] collaborators with God in all creation, as stated (ibid., cont.): THEY DWELL THERE ALONG WITH THE KING AT HIS WORK; i.e., they dwell along with the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, at his work, and create creation. The Holy One said: It is not enough that I do nothing without their knowledge, but everything which I make in this world and in the world to come is prepared for them. That is what David said (in Ps. 31:20 [19]): HOW ABUNDANT IS THE GOOD WHICH YOU HAVE LAID UP FOR THOSE WHO FEAR YOU….
[12] (Gen. 27:28:) SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU. Let our master instruct us: Is it correct that one may fold his garments on the Sabbath? Thus have our masters taught (in Shab. 15:3): ONE MAY FOLD GARMENTS EVEN FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. ONE MAY ALSO MAKE BEDS ON THE NIGHT OF THE SABBATH (i.e., on Friday night) FOR THE SABBATH, BUT NOT ON THE SABBATH FOR THE NIGHT FOLLOWING THE SABBATH. Now concerning these garments, they said that one may fold any garments that one is to wear on the Sabbath; but < as for those > to be worn after the Sabbath, it is forbidden to fold them on the Sabbath. Also with respect to garments which are folded by two people, it is forbidden.23 In the case of an individual, it is permitted to fold one. And he should not be apprehensive, because one should honor the Sabbath with his clothes, as stated (in Is. 68:13): AND YOU SHALL CALL THE SABBATH A DELIGHT.24 And in what way does Israel honor the Sabbath? Through eating, through drinking, and through clean clothes, because the Holy One did so from the beginning, as stated (in Gen. 3:21): THEN [THE LORD] GOD MADE TUNICS OF SKIN FOR ADAM AND HIS WIFE AND CLOTHED THEM. What were TUNICS OF SKIN? [Garments] of high priesthood, which the Holy One put on them, since he (Adam) was the glory of the world.
Furthermore, our masters have also taught (in Zev. 14:4) BEFORE THE TABERNACLE WAS SET UP, THE HIGH PLACES WERE PERMITTED AND THE SACRIFICIAL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED BY THE FIRST-BORN.25 Therefore, the Holy One clothed Adam in garments of high priesthood, since he was the first-born of the world. Noah came [and passed them on to Shem; Shem] passed them on to Abraham; Abraham passed them on to Isaac; and Isaac passed them on to Esau, who was his first-born. Esau, however, saw his wives serving idols and deposited them (the clothes) with his mother. When Jacob arose and took the birthright of Esau, Rebekah said: Inasmuch as Jacob has taken the birthright from the hand of Esau, he has the right to put on these garments. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 27:15): THEN REBEKAH TOOK THE BEST GARMENTS OF HER OLDER SON ESAU, < WHICH WERE WITH HER IN THE HOUSE, AND HAD HER YOUNGER SON JACOB PUT THEM ON >. Jacob came in to his father Isaac and emitted an aroma on him. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 27:27): THEN HE SMELLED THE ODOR OF HIS GARMENTS AND BLESSED HIM…. How did he bless him? According to what they read on the matter (in Gen. 27:28): SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU….
[13] [(Gen. 27:28:) SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU.] It is written (in Job 29:19): MY ROOT IS OPEN UNTO WATER.26 Who spoke this verse? Job spoke it about himself, about the Temple, and about Jacob. In what way did he say about himself: MY ROOT IS OPEN … ? The doors of his house were open to those passing by, especially to Torah scholars. What is the meaning of UNTO (ele) WATER? To the rams (ele) of Torah and its warriors. It is just as you say (in Dan. 8:4): I SAW THE RAM CHARGING SEAWARD AND NORTHWARD. ["To water"] is not written here (in Job 29:19), but UNTO (ele) WATER, because the house of Job was opened to < such > wayfarers. Therefore (in Job 29:19, cont.): AND DEW SHALL LODGE ON MY BRANCHES (qatsir). R. Hanina said: Everybody saw that when Job harvested his field, there were clouds gathered over his harvest (qatsir) because it would not have recovered its freshness from the burning heat.27 Ergo (in Job 29:19): AND DEW SHALL LODGE ON MY BRANCHES (qatsir).
Another interpretation (of Job 29:19): MY ROOT IS OPEN UNTO WATER. This refers to the Temple because its gates were open to the Torah. Thus it is stated (in Is. 55:1): HO, ALL WHO ARE THIRSTY, COME TO THE WATERS (of Torah). < It is > just as our masters have taught (in Sanh. 11 [10]:2):28 THERE WERE THREE LAW COURTS THERE: ONE AT THE OPENING TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT, ONE AT THE OPENING TO THE TEMPLE COURT, AND ONE IN THE HALL OF HEWN STONES. Ergo (in Job 29:19): MY ROOT IS OPEN < UNTO WATER (of Torah) >…. What is the meaning (of ibid., cont.): AND DEW SHALL LODGE ON MY BRANCHES. That the dew does not [move] from there, as stated (in Ps. 133:3): LIKE THE DEW OF HERMON < WHICH COMES DOWN UPON THE HILLS OF ZION >.
Another interpretation (of Job 29:19): MY ROOT IS OPEN UNTO WATER. This was Jacob pursuing < the water of Torah > in the academies which were open to the Torah. Therefore (ibid., cont.): AND DEW SHALL LODGE ON MY BRANCHES? For, when he comes to his father to receive ten blessings, he begins for YOU with dew (in Gen. 27:28): SO MAY GOD GIVE YOU FROM THE DEW OF HEAVEN….
[14] Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:28): SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU. May he give to you and give to you.29 May he give to you from his own, may he give to you from what belongs to my ancestors, and may he give to you the blessing of Abraham.
(Gen. 27:28:) SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU. What is the meaning of GOD? < That he acted > in justice. If you were worthy, he will give to you; but if not, he will not give to you. To Esau, however, he did not say this; but (according to Gen. 27:39): OF THE FAT PLACES OF THE EARTH < SHALL BE YOUR DWELLING >…. Whether you are righteous or wicked, he will give to you. Why? Isaac simply said this: Esau is wicked, and Jacob is righteous. Even though he performs a commandment and is afflicted, he does not voice a complaint [against divine justice. However, if the wicked one performs one commandment or prays, and is not answered, he begins to say]: Just as I have prayed to idols and found nothing tangible, [so I have prayed to God and found nothing tangible]. Solomon also said so. When he built the Temple, he prayed to the Holy One, as stated (in I Kings 8, beginning with vs. 12): THEN SOLOMON SAID: THE LORD SAID THAT HE WOULD DWELL IN THICK DARKNESS. He began reciting his prayers and said: Sovereign of the World, when someone from Israel comes to pray in the future and asks for sons or for something else, if he is worthy, give to him; but if not, do not give to him. Thus it is stated (in vs. 39): AND GIVE TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO ALL HIS WAYS, SINCE YOU KNOW HIS HEART. But if a foreigner should come to pray there, give to him whatever he asks. Thus it is stated (in vss. 41 & 43): AND ALSO UNTO THE FOREIGNER … YOU SHALL {ALSO} HEARKEN IN HEAVEN…. For perhaps, if you do not do for him all that he asks, he will talk and say to himself: So it is with this house of Solomon. I have gone from one end of the world to the other and have been worn out from so many journeyings. Then I came and prayed in here and have found nothing tangible in here, just as I did not find it in idolatry. Ergo (in Gen. 27:39): SEE, OF THE FAT PLACES OF THE EARTH < SHALL BE YOUR DWELLING >…. Why? Because he is lacking faith. But to Jacob, since he possessed faith and was righteous, he said (in Gen. 27:28): SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU, < i.e., > injustice.
[15] [(Gen. 27:28:) SO MAY < GOD > GIVE TO YOU.] What is written above of the matter (in Gen. 27:1, 6, 17)? NOW IT CAME TO PASS, THAT WHEN ISAAC WAS OLD < AND HIS EYES WERE TOO WEAK TO SEE >…. THEN REBEKAH SAID UNTO HER SON JACOB…. THEN SHE GAVE HIM THE DELICACIES…. R. Judah b. R. Shallum the Levite said in the name of R. Helbo: She brought him in as far as her partition, as far as she had authority to enter.30 She said to him: My son, I have accompanied you in this far. From here on your God will accompany you in. He entered as he said to him (to Isaac in Gen. 27:20): BECAUSE THE LORD YOUR GOD MADE IT HAPPEN FOR ME. R. Johanan said: When he said: BECAUSE THE LORD YOUR GOD MADE IT HAPPEN FOR ME,31 Isaac said: This language is not the language of Esau, but the language of Jacob, as stated (in vs. 22): THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB. You know that it is so. When Jacob entered, what did he say (in vs. 19)? PLEASE ARISE; SIT UP < AND EAT >…. But when Esau entered, [what did he say to him (in vs. 31)? LET MY FATHER ARISE. Look at] what he is saying, how he speaks with difficulty: LET MY FATHER ARISE…. Isaac began saying to Jacob (in vs. 21): PLEASE COME NEARER AND LET ME TOUCH YOU, < MY SON >…. R.Joshua said: When he said (in vs. 21): PLEASE COME NEARER, his body trembled, and he hung back like wax.32 What did the Holy One do? He spoke to two of the angels, to Gabriel and Michael, and they assisted him, Michael to his right and Gabriel to his left, with that one in his glory, may his name be blessed, supporting him from his rear. Then he said to him: Jacob, why are you afraid, with your body buckling over upon itself? I am God. My army33 < has come > to help you, and they are supporting you. Still, you are afraid! Thus it is stated (in Is. 41:10): FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU; BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I STRENGTHEN YOU, I ALSO HELP YOU, AND I UPHOLD YOU WITH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND. FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU. Let not your body sink down, FOR I AM WITH YOU. BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I STRENGTHEN YOU with Michael. I ALSO HELP YOU with Gabriel. AND I UPHOLD YOU WITH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND. Immediately [Isaac] said to him (in Gen. 27:22): THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB, BUT THE HANDS ARE THE HANDS OF ESAU. Your power is stronger than his. If Esau captures anyone, see, he is in his hand; but if [that one] flees, he cannot do a thing to him. With you, however, even though someone flees from one end of the world to [the other], (in vs. 22): THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB. You say something in the synagogue; and look, it comes to pass of its own accord.
[16] (Gen. 27:22:) THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB. All voices are yours, as stated (in Exod. 19:16): AND THERE WERE VOICES (of thunder) AND LIGHTNINGS. And the rains come down only due to you, as stated (in Jer. 10:13): WHEN HE SOUNDS HIS VOICE, THERE IS TUMULT IN THE WATERS OF HEAVEN.
Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:22): THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB, BUT THE HANDS ARE THE HANDS OF ESAU. The hands of Esau shall be shaken when the voice of Jacob comes. This (coming voice of Jacob) refers to the Messianic King, according to what is stated (in Is. 40:9): GO UP UPON A HIGH MOUNTAIN, O HERALD OF GOOD TIDINGS TO ZION, RAISE YOUR VOICE WITH STRENGTH.
Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:22): THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB, < BUT THE HANDS ARE THE HANDS OF ESAU >. He said to him: In respect to your brother Esau, if misfortune touches him, he begins reviling and cursing; but in your case, if afflictions touch you, practice self-restraint and do not show anger toward your Creator through your voice. And if you prattle with your voice, THE HANDS OF ESAU will be touching you; [but, if not, THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF JACOB. What is the meaning of BUT THE HANDS ARE THE HANDS OF ESAU?] That which you find at Rephidim. The Israelites prattled < there > with their voice and said (in Exod. 17:7): IS THE LORD PRESENT AMONG US < OR NOT >? Immediately Amalek came against them, as stated (in vs. 8): THEN AMALEK CAME < AND FOUGHT WITH ISRAEL AT REPHIDIM >.
Isaac said to him (in Gen. 27:24):
IS THIS YOU, MY SON ESAU? He said to him: It is I. He said to him (in vs. 25):
SERVE ME, AND LET ME EAT…. < SO HE SERVED HIM, AND HE ATE. HE ALSO BROUGHT HIM WINE, AND HE DRANK >. Where did he get wine from? Note, we find that his mother did not give him wine. Rather (in Gen. 27:17):
SHE GAVE HIM THE DELICACIES…. Then who brought him the wine? Michael brought it to him, wine from the Garden of Eden.
34 Our masters have said: You only find wine resulting in a blessing in case of this < wine > and Abraham's, of whom it is stated (in Gen. 14:18f.):
AND MELCHIZEDEK KING OF SALEM BROUGHT OUT BREAD AND WINE…. < AND HE BLESSED HIM >.
35 And in case of this < wine > also, when he had drunk it, he blessed him. He said to him (in vs. 26f.):
PLEASE COME NEARER AND KISS ME, MY SON; SO HE CAME NEARER AND KISSED HIM…. [It should have said: "Aha, the odor of his clothes; then he blessed him." Instead he said (in vs. 27):
AHA, THE ODOR OF MY SON IS LIKE THE ODOR OF A FIELD.] And he should have said: "Aha, the odor of my son's clothes." Instead he said to him (ibid.):
AHA, THE ODOR OF MY SON. < The verse > is teaching that the odor of the righteous is a hint of the world to come. What is the meaning of
LIKE THE ODOR OF A FIELD … ? That < his clothes > were the garments of the first Adam and bore an odor from the garden of Eden.
36 He immediately said to him (in vs. 28):
SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU FROM THE DEW OF HEAVEN. This is Torah, as stated (in Deut. 32:2)
LET MY SPEECH DRIP DOWN LIKE THE DEW. (
Gen. 27:28, cont.:)
AND THE FAT PLACES OF THE EARTH. These are the Prophets. (Ibid., cont.:)
AND ABUNDANCE OF GRAIN. This is Talmud. (Ibid., cont.:)
AND NEW WINE. Here are the Midrashim.
37 Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:28):
FROM THE DEW OF HEAVEN. This is the manna, according to what is stated (in Numb. 11:9):
SO WHEN THE DEW CAME DOWN < UPON THE CAMP AT NIGHT, THE MANNA WOULD FALL UPON IT >. (
Gen. 27:28, cont.:)
AND THE FAT PLACES OF THE EARTH. Here is the well.
38
Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:28):
FROM THE DEW OF HEAVEN. This is Jerusalem, according to what is stated (in Ps. 133:3):
LIKE THE DEW OF HERMON < WHICH COMES DOWN UPON THE HILLS OF ZION >. (
Gen. 27:28, cont.:)
AND THE FAT PLACES OF THE EARTH. Here is the fine flour of the oblations. (Ibid., cont.:)
AND ABUNDANCE OF GRAIN AND NEW WINE. Here is olive oil.
Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:28): AND ABUNDANCE OF GRAIN AND NEW WINE. These are high priests. When he had given him these blessings (in vs. 29), he added six < more > blessings so that there would be ten. These are the following:39
MAY PEOPLES SERVE YOU. These are the children of Noah.
AND MAY NATIONS BOW DOWN TO YOU. These are the children of Keturah
(Gen. 25:1-4).
BE MASTER OVER YOUR BROTHERS. These are the children of Ishmael.
AND MAY YOUR MOTHER'S CHILDREN BOW DOWN TO YOU. These are the children of Esau.
CURSED BE THOSE WHO CURSE YOU. These are Balaam and his colleagues.
AND BLESSED BE THOSE WHO BLESS YOU. These are Moses and his colleagues.
[17] When Jacob came to bless Judah, he said to him (in Gen. 49:8): AND MAY YOUR FATHER'S CHILDREN BOW DOWN TO YOU, because he had a lot of wives. But Isaac, because he only had Rebekah, said to Jacob (in Gen. 27:29): AND MAY YOUR MOTHER'S CHILDREN BOW DOWN TO YOU.40
(Gen. 27:30:) AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN ISAAC HAD FINISHED BLESSING JACOB, AND < JACOB > HAD JUST GONE OUT, GONE OUT.41 Two departures are recorded here: GONE OUT, GONE OUT. {Isaac said:} Isaac's gateway42 had two ends, a gate to the north and a gate to the south. Jacob left with the plate43 in his hand. He saw Esau and hid behind the door. One who is in the light does not see {him. He forgets him.} [one who is in the darkness].44 Ergo: JUST GONE OUT, GONE OUT. < He hid > because, if Esau had seen him, he would have killed him. R. Joshua ben Levi said: At the second hour (8:00 A.M.) he learned Esau had gone in to his father, and at the sixth hour (12:00 M.) he was going out. But, while Jacob was detained [for so long] over all this business, where was Esau during this time? R. Joshua ben Levi said: He was catching game and binding it, but an angel was setting it free and driving it away.45 That is what is stated (in Prov. 12:27): A DECEPTIVE ONE SHALL NOT ROAST HIS GAME, BUT A DILIGENT ONE IS A PERSON OF PRECIOUS WEALTH.46 It was not known to Jacob what miracles were performed for him, for, while he was going out, Esau was coming in. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 27:30): AND < JACOB > HAD JUST GONE OUT, GONE OUT…. Therefore, David has said (in Ps. 86:10): FOR YOU ARE GREAT, AND YOU PERFORM WONDERS (rt.: PL'), YOU GOD BY YOURSELF. You know what miracles and wonders (rt.: PL') you are doing with such a person, but he does not know. This person sleeps upon his bed < and > arises to put on his clothes. Unless they make a search (rt.: PL') for whether there is a snake or a scorpion there, he will cast them off without knowing about them and < so > be delivered from them. Therefore, David has said to him: < It is > for you alone to do wonders (rt.: PL'); < it is incumbent > upon us to be blessing you, as stated (in Ps. 72:18): BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD < OF ISRAEL, WHO ALONE DOES WONDERS (rt.: PL') >. In Egypt you did miracles for us, and we on our part uttered a song by the sea for you (in Exod. 15:1-18). The Holy One said to them: In this world I have performed wonders (rt.: PL') for you and redeemed you from the bondage of Egypt. Thus I am going to redeem you in the world to come from the bondage of Edom (i.e., of Esau) and perform wonders for you. It is so stated (in Micah 7:15): AS IN THE DAYS OF YOUR EXODUS FROM [THE LAND OF EGYPT], I WILL SHOW HIM WONDERS (rt.: PL').
[18] (Cant. 5:2:)
I SLEEP, BUT MY HEART IS AWAKE.
47 The congregation of Israel said to the Holy One: Sovereign of the Universe,
I SLEEP without the Holy Temple,
BUT MY HEART IS AWAKE in the synagogues and in the academies.
I SLEEP without the sacrifices,
BUT MY HEART IS AWAKE in the commandments and almsgiving.
I SLEEP without the good deeds,
BUT MY HEART IS AWAKE for performing them.
I SLEEP without the end time,
BUT MY HEART IS AWAKE for the redemption.
I SLEEP without the redemption,
BUT MY HEART IS AWAKE for the Holy One when he redeems me. R. Hiyya bar Abba said: {How} [Where] do we find that the Holy One is called the Heart of Israel? In this scripture
(Ps. 73:26):
GOD IS THE ROCK OF MY HEART AND MY PORTION FOREVER. (Cant. 5:2, cont.:)
THE SOUND OF MY BELOVED KNOCKING. This refers to Moses, since it is stated (in Exod. 11:4):
THEN MOSES SAID: THUS SAYS THE LORD: ABOUT MIDNIGHT < I SHALL GO FORTH INTO THE MIDST OF EGYPT >. (Cant. 5:2, cont.:)
OPEN FOR ME. R. Jose said: The Holy One said: Make an opening for me as with the point of a needle so that I may open up [an opening] for you through which tents and {siege fortifications} [< even > a camp]
48 can pass. (Cant. 5:2, cont.:)
MY SISTER (rt.: 'H), < so named > in Egypt, where they became grafted (rt.: '
HH) to me by < performing > two commandments through the blood of the paschal offering and through the blood of circumcision. (Ibid., cont.:)
MY BELOVED (rt.: R'H): They became beloved (rt.:
R'H) to him at the sea and said (in Exod. 15:18):
THE LORD SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER. (Cant. 5:2, cont.:)
MY DOVE, < so named > in Marah where they were given orders for me
49 like a dove through commandments
(see Exod. 15:23-25) (Cant. 5:2, cont.:)
MY INNOCENT, because they became innocent to me at Sinai and said (in Exod. 24:7):
ALL THAT THE LORD HAS SPOKEN WE WILL DO AND OBEY. (Cant. 5:2, cont.:)
FOR MY HEAD IS DRENCHED WITH DEW, since it is stated (in Jud. 5:4):
EVEN THE HEAVENS DRIPPED.
Another interpretation (of Cant. 5:2):
I SLEEP…. Jacob had given up hope that he would receive blessings from Isaac. Yet (ibid., cont.):
BUT MY HEART IS AWAKE. (
Gen. 27:6, 8-10:)
AND REBEKAH SPOKE < UNTO JACOB >…. AND NOW MY SON, HEED ME IN WHAT < I CHARGE YOU >. PLEASE GO TO THE FLOCK…. THEN BRING IT TO YOUR FATHER…. He said to her (in vss. 11f.):
LOOK, MY BROTHER ESAU IS A HAIRY MAN…. PERHAPS MY FATHER WILL FEEL ME…. He said to her: Do you not know that anyone who makes fun of his father is < as guilty > as if he were serving idols? Thus it is stated (in vs. 12, cont.):
AND IN HIS EYES I SHALL BE LIKE ONE WHO MOCKS. Now one who mocks is nothing but an idolater, since it is stated (in Jer. 10:15):
THEY (i.e., idols) ARE VANITY, A WORK OF MOCKERY.
(
Gen. 27:12, cont.:)
THEN I WILL BRING UPON MYSELF A CURSE INSTEAD OF A BLESSING. The Holy One put in her heart (according to Cant. 5:2)
THE SOUND OF MY BELOVED KNOCKING. (Ps. 122:8:)
FOR THE SAKE OF MY BROTHERS AND COMPANIONS LET ME PLEASE SAY: PEACE BE WITH YOU.
50
(Cant. 5:2, cont.:) MY INNOCENT (tammati), < i.e., > MY TWIN (when vocalized as tomati), since she had borne {two} twins. MY INNOCENT (tammati) because < the plan > was not from Rebekah. Rather the Holy One had put it in her heart. She said to him: When the first Adam sinned, was he cursed? Was not his mother cursed?51 And now it is my < turn >. Fulfill your < destiny > ; and if you should be cursed, your curse will fall upon me. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 27:13): YOUR CURSE, MY SON, BE UPON ME! … [Why?] The Holy One said to him: See, I have crowned you with blessings, as stated (in Cant. 5:2, cont.): FOR MY HEAD IS DRENCHED WITH DEW. He went immediately. (According to Gen. 27:14:) THEN HE WENT TO GET THEM AND BROUGHT THEM TO HIS MOTHER…. He went in with his father and received the blessings, as stated (in vs. 28): SO MAY GOD GIVE TO YOU < FROM THE DEW OF HEAVEN >….
[19] It is written (in Micah 5:6 [7]): THEN THE REMNANT OF JACOB SHALL BE IN THE MIDST OF MANY PEOPLES, < LIKE DEW >…. THEN THE REMNANT OF JACOB…. These are the remnant of which the Holy One spoke to Elijah (in I Kings 19:18): YET I WILL LEAVE SEVEN THOUSAND IN ISRAEL, ALL THE KNEES THAT HAVE NOT KNELT TO BAAL >….52 These are also the ones who were separated out in the days of Gideon when he said to the Holy One (in Jud. 6:36f.): IF YOU WILL REALLY SAVE ISRAEL BY MY HAND, AS YOU SAID, SEE, I AM PLACING < A FLEECE OF WOOL >…. The Holy One said to him: I have had it written (in Hos. 14:6 [5]): I WILL BE FOR ISRAEL LIKE THE DEW. But you have said (in Jud. 6:37, cont.): < IF THERE IS DEW UPON FLEECE ONLY > AND DRYNESS UPON ALL THE GROUND, < I WILL KNOW >…. Is it possible! I do not act so! How is it shown? In that "and God did so" is not written here (in vs. 38) but AND IT WAS SO, < i.e., > it happened of its own accord. However, when he said (in vs. 39): LET THERE BE DRYNESS UPON THE FLEECE ONLY, < there follows > immediately (in vs. 40): AND GOD DID SO ON THAT DAY…. Why? Because it is so written (in Hos. 14:6 [5]): I WILL BE FOR ISRAEL LIKE THE DEW. The Holy One said to him (in Jud. 7:4, 6): {THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WITH YOU ARE TOO MANY} [THE PEOPLE ARE STILL TOO MANY]. BRING THEM DOWN TO THE WATER, AND I WILL TEST THEM FOR YOU THERE…. NOW THE NUMBER OF THOSE WHO LAPPED…. Those who knelt upon their knees to drink water, willing or not, were bowing down to idols.53 The Holy One said to him (in vs. 7): THROUGH THE THREE HUNDRED MEN WHO LAPPED I WILL DELIVER YOU. As for the hundreds (of others) who have not bowed down, these have risen up. Concerning them it says (in I Kings 19:18): YET I WILL LET REMAIN IN ISRAEL SEVEN THOUSAND, ALL THE KNEES THAT HAVE NOT KNELT TO BAAL >…. So it is about them that it says (in Micah 5:6 [7]): THEN THE REMNANT OF JACOB SHALL BE < IN THE MIDST OF MANY PEOPLES >, LIKE DEW FROM THE LORD; for the dew is a sign54 of the resurrection of the dead. So also has Isaiah said (in Is. 26:19): LET YOUR DEAD LIVE! [LET MY CORPSES ARISE!… FOR YOUR DEW IS LIKE THE DEW OF LIGHTS]. Rav Ariste said in the name of R. Berekhyah: Isaiah proclaimed before the Holy One: LET YOUR DEAD LIVE, < i.e., > those who were dishonored {for our sake. One} was crucified.55 Why? Because he had circumcised his son. And one was burned. Why? Because he had observed the Sabbath. And another was killed. Why? Because he had read the Torah. For this reason it sae: LET YOUR DEAD LIVE, < i.e., > those who were dishonored {for our sake. One} was crucified.56 Why? Because he had circumcised his son. And one was burned. Why? Because he had observed the Sabbath. And another was killed. Why? Because he had read the Torah. For this reason it saRIP DEW > >. You find that even righteous ones do not control the dew. {The Holy One said to him.} [Rather it is the Holy One] by himself. You want to know < that >, when Elijah arose and said (in I Kings 17:1): DURING THESE YEARS THERE SHALL NEITHER BE DEW NOR [RAIN, the Holy one did not hearken]. Instead, the dew was coming down. Where is it shown? Where he says to Elijah (in I Kings 18:1): GO, APPEAR TO AHAB, AND I WILL SEND [RAIN] < UPON THE FACE OF THE GROUND >. "Dew" is not written here. Instead < he said >: AND I WILL SEND RAIN UPON THE FACE OF THE GROUND. From here it follows that the dew had been coming down from the Holy One all the time in order to make known that no one is master of the dew but the Holy One. {And the Holy One said} [Thus did the Holy One say] to Israel: When you do my will, just as no mortal rules over the dew, so no mortal rules over you. Thus it is stated (in Micah 5:6 [7]): THEN THE REMNANT OF JACOB SHALL BE < IN THE MIDST OF MANY PEOPLES, LIKE DEW FROM THE LORD >….
[20] It is written (in Ps. 121:1): A SONG OF ASCENTS. I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES UNTO THE MOUNTAINS. FROM WHERE WILL MY HELP COME? It is also written (in Zech. 4:7): WHO ARE YOU, O GREAT MOUNTAIN, BEFORE ZERUBBABEL? BECOME LEVEL GROUND.57 What is the meaning of WHO ARE YOU, O GREAT MOUNTAIN? This is the Messianic King. Then why does it call him GREAT MOUNTAIN? Because he is greater than the ancestors, as stated (in Is. 52:13): BEHOLD, MY SERVANT SHALL BRING LOW.58 HE SHALL BE EXALTED, LIFTED UP, AND BECOME EXCEEDINGLY TALL. HE SHALL BE EXALTED (rt.: RWM) more than Abraham, LIFTED UP more than Moses, AND BECOME EXCEEDINGLY TALL, more so than the ministering angels. < HE SHALL BE EXALTED > more than Abraham, of whom it is written (in Gen. 14:22): I HAVE RAISED (rt.: RWM) MY HAND UNTO THE LORD. < He shall be > LIFTED UP more than Moses, of whom it is stated (in Numb. 11:12): THAT YOU (the LORD) SHOULD SAY TO ME (Moses): LIFT THEM UP IN YOUR BOSOM AS THE NURSE LIFTS UP A SUCKLING CHILD. AND < he shall > BECOME… TALL (rt.: GBH), more than the ministering angels, of whom it is stated (in Ezek. 1:18): THEIR (the angelic wheels') RIMS (rt.: GBB) WERE BOTH TALL (rt.: GBH) < AND AWESOME >…. From whom did he arise? From [Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel < arose >] from David. Thus it is stated (in I Chron 3:10-24): AND SOLOMON'S SON WAS REHOBOAM, ABIJAH HIS SON, ASA HIS SON, JEHOSHAPHAT HIS SON, JORAM HIS SON, AHAZIAH HIS SON, JOASH HIS SON, AMAZIAH HIS SON, AZARIAH HIS SON, [JOTHAM HIS SON], AHAZ HIS SON, HEZEKIAH HIS SON, MANASSEH HIS SON, AMON HIS SON, AND JOSIAH HIS SON. NOW THE SONS OF JOSIAH WERE JOHANAN THE FIRST-BORN, JEHOIAKIM THE SECOND, ZEDEKIAH THE THIRD, AND SHALLUM THE FOURTH. THE SONS OF JEHOIAKIM WERE HIS SON JECONIAH AND HIS SON ZEDEKIAH. AND THE SONS OF JECONIAH, THE CAPTIVE, WERE SHEALTIEL HIS SON, MALCHIRAM, PEDAIAH, SHENAZZAR, JEKAMIAH, HOSHAMA, AND NEDABIAH. THE SONS OF PEDAIAH WERE ZERUBBABEL AND SHIMEI. THE SONS OF ZERUBBABEL WERE MESHULLAM AND HANANIAH, AND SHELOMITH WAS THEIR SISTER; ALSO HASHUBAH, OHEL, BERECHIAH, (HASARIAH) [HASADIAH], JUSHABHESED: FIVE (from after the exile). AND THE SONS OF HANANIAH WERE (PELITIA) [PELATIAH] AND JESHAIAH. AND THE SONS OF < JESHAIAH >: REPHAIAH; THE SONS OF < REPHAIAH >: ARNAN; THE SONS OF < ARNAN >: OBADIAH; THE SONS OF < OBADIAH >: SHECANIAH; THE SONS OF SHECANIAH: SHEMAIAH. THE SONS OF SHEMAIAH WERE HATTUSH, IGAL, [BARIAH], NEARIAH, AND SHAPHAT: SIX. THE SONS OF NEARIAH WERE ELIOENAI, HIZKIAH, AND AZRIKAM: THREE. AND THE SONS OF ELIOENAI WERE HODAVIAH, ELIASHIB, PELAIAH, AKKUB, JOHANAN, DELAIAH, AND ANANI: SEVEN. Now up to here the Scripture has given [you] detail. Who is Anani? This is the Messianic [King], as stated (in Dan. 7:13): AS I WAS LOOKING ON (IN A VISION AT NIGHT) [IN THE NIGHT VISIONS], BEHOLD, ALONG WITH ANANI59 OF < HEAVEN, ONE LIKE A HUMAN BEING >…. What is the meaning of the SEVEN (in I Chron. 3:24)? [What is] that which is written about the Messiah? That which is stated (in Zech. 4:10): FOR WHOEVER HAS DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS SHALL REJOICE TO SEE THE PLUMMET IN THE HAND OF ZERUBBABEL, < EVEN > SEVEN: (BEHOLD), [THESE ARE] THE EYES ('ene) OF THE LORD. THEY ROAM AROUND ALL THE EARTH. It is therefore stated (in Zech. 4:7): WHO ARE YOU, O GREAT MOUNTAIN, BEFORE ZERUBBABEL? BECOME LEVEL GROUND. This is what is written about him (in Is. 11:4): SO HE SHALL JUDGE THE POOR WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DECIDE WITH EQUITY < FOR THE MEEK ('anawi) OF THE EARTH >….
(Zech. 4:7, cont.:) FOR HE SHALL BRING FORTH THE CORNERSTONE. This is the stone of Jacob, about which it is stated (in Gen. 28:18): THEN JACOB AROSE EARLY IN THE MORNING, TOOK THE STONE < WHICH HE HAD PUT UNDER HIS HEAD, SET IT UP AS A PILLAR >…. And so Daniel has stated (in Dan. 2:34): YOU LOOKED ON UNTIL A STONE WAS CUT OUT WITH[OUT] HANDS < AND SMOTE THE IMAGE >…. It is also written (in vs. 35): THEN < THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRASS, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD > WERE BROKEN IN PIECES (INTO ONE < MASS >) [TOGETHER]… [AND THE STONE WHICH SMOTE THE IMAGE BECAME A GREAT MOUNTAIN]. Now what is [A GREAT] MOUNTAIN? (Zech. 4:7): WHO ARE YOU, O GREAT MOUNTAIN? And from where does it come? By way of the mountains, as stated (in Is. 52:7): HOW BEAUTIFUL UPON THE MOUNTAINS ARE THE FEET OF THE ONE BRINGING GOOD TIDINGS. In that hour Israel shall look and say (with Ps. 121:1f.): I WILL LIFT UP EYES MY UNTO THE MOUNTAINS. < FROM WHERE WILL MY HELP COME? > MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD….
[21] (Gen. 27:33:) THEN ISAAC TREMBLED < EXCEEDINGLY GREATLY >…. This text is related (to Prov. 16:1): ONE MAY POSSESS THE CONSIDERATIONS OF THE HEART, BUT THE ANSWER OF THE TONGUE COMES FROM THE LORD. What are the considerations of the heart? [If] one [has] an account or any business with his associate, he may think in his heart and say: If we should stand [with him] (in court), he would say thus and so to me; and I would say thus and so to him. < When > he does stand against me, it turns out that after all the things that he was considering, he does not speak < them >, but forgets. Ergo: Solomon said it well (in Prov. 16:1): ONE MAY POSSESS THE CONSIDERATIONS OF THE HEART, BUT THE ANSWER OF THE TONGUE COMES FROM THE LORD.
Another interpretation (of Prov. 16:1): ONE MAY POSSESS THE CONSIDERATIONS OF THE HEART. R. Levi said: The Holy One created six members for a person, three under his control and three not under his control.60 Now these are the three which are not under his control: The nose, the eye, and the ear. How so? In the case of someone passing unexpectedly through a market where they were burning incense before an idol, he did not wish to smell it. Even though he does not wish to smell it, what should he do? Thus it is that the nose is not under one's control. Likewise the eye is not under one's control. How so? < If > one passed through the market and saw a transgression, but did not want < to see it >, what should he do? Why? Because the eye is not under his control. Likewise the ear is not under one's control. How so? < If > he was walking along and heard a person reviling and blaspheming, he did not want to hear blasphemies. But nevertheless, he was under an obligation in regard to the rending of garments. Thus R. Simeon has said: One who hears and one who blasphemes are < both > under an obligation in regard to the rending of garments.61 Since the blasphemies have multiplied, you have to stop. It is evident that no one can < stand > listening to blasphemies,62 but what can one do when his ears are not under his control? Now these are the three which are under his control: The mouth, the hand, and the foot. In the case of the hand, if someone wants to steal, he steals; and if not, he does not steal. Also, if he wants to kill with his hand, he kills; and if not, he does not kill. So much for the hand. In the case of the foot, if someone wants to go on foot to serve an idol, he goes; and if not, he does not go. Also, if he wants to carry out a commandment, he performs it; and if not, he does not perform it. Likewise, in the case of the mouth, if someone wants to speak, [whether good or evil], he speaks; and if not, he does not speak. Ergo (in Prov. 16:1): ONE MAY POSSESS THE CONSIDERATIONS OF THE HEART.
[22] Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:33): THEN ISAAC TREMBLED EXCEEDINGLY GREATLY. R. Levi said in the name of R. Hama bar Hanina:63 One does not say: EXCEEDINGLY GREATLY unless there was another < event > before it (for it to exceed). So what were the two tremblings that Isaac had? One was on Mount Moriah when his father bound him and took up the knife to slaughter him. The Holy One appeared above the angels and opened up the firmament. When Isaac raised his eyes and saw the chambers of the chariot, he trembled and shook. But here he trembled, and his trembling was greater than the first time! There he trembled when he saw the Holy One, the chambers of the chariot, and the angels. But here, because Jacob had entered and taken the blessings, his trembling was greater than that < former > trembling. But why did he tremble? Nathan the Haver said in the name of R. Aha and R. Judah b. R. Shallum the Levite < who said > in the name of R. Johanan: When Jacob entered, the Garden of Eden entered with him, as stated (in Gen. 27:27): THEN HE SMELLED THE ODOR OF HIS GARMENTS….64 And note that he did not put on anything but clothes of goat's hair, as stated (in vs. 16): THEN SHE CLOTHED HIS ARMS < AND THE HAIRLESS PART OF HIS NECK > WITH THE SKINS OF GOAT KIDS. And you do not have a worse odor in the < whole > world than goatskins washed smooth. But what is the meaning (of vs. 27): THEN HE SMELLED THE ODOR OF HIS GARMENTS? Some interpret it to say: The Holy One blew on the clothes of Isaac the odor of the incense which was going to be used in the Temple. When Esau the Wicked entered, however, < the result was as > R. Aha and R. Johanan have said: Gehinnom entered with him. Thus it is stated (in Prov. 18:3): WHEN A WICKED ONE COMES, THERE IS ALSO DESPISING; AND WITH DISGRACE, SHAME. When Esau arrived, Isaac perceived the house becoming hot and < so > perceived Gehinnom.65 He began to scream and tremble, as stated (in Gen. 27:33): THEN ISAAC TREMBLED < EXCEEDINGLY GREATLY >.
[(
Gen. 27:33, cont.:)
AND SAID: WHO THEN (
mi 'efo')?] What is the meaning of MY 'EFO' (rt.: '
P')? Mi
'efoh (rt.: '
PH)?
66 Isaac said: Sovereign of the Universe: Who is being baked (
mi ne'efah, rt.: '
PH) in this oven (i.e., of Gehinnom), I or my son Jacob? The Holy One said to him: Neither you nor your son Jacob. But who? (Ibid., cont.:)
HE THAT HAS HUNTED GAME. This is Esau, as stated (in Gen. 25:27):
ESAU BECAME A CUNNING HUNTER.
[23] Another interpretation (of Gen. 27:33): Why did he tremble? Because he had blessed the younger before the elder; for he had intended to bless both of them. So he called Esau in order to bless him first, since he was the elder. Then afterwards, < he would call > Jacob. So he intended. Why? Because before the Holy One it is difficult to supplant a genealogical chain, to replace primogeniture. So note that he only called Esau. On what basis do you say that he wished to bless Jacob? On the basis of what Jacob said, {and he said} [to his mother] (in Gen. 27:12): THEN I WILL BRING UPON MYSELF A CURSE INSTEAD OF A BLESSING. He said to her: Even the blessing which he was going to give me, in the end he will not give me. Isaac only trembled when he said: What sin is on my hands that the genealogical chain should be ruined at my hands, for me to bless the younger < first > and the elder afterwards? And so you find: In every place Moses comes before Aaron;67 but when it comes to genealogy, Aaron is before Moses. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 3:1): NOW THESE ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF AARON AND MOSES. R. Abba said in the name of R. Johanan of the Bet Guvrin: In the case of Reuben also, when that event (the selling of Joseph) happened at his hands, his father gave his birthright to Joseph. Thus it is stated (in I Chron. 5:1): AND THE SONS OF REUBEN, THE FIRST-BORN OF ISRAEL. NOW HE IS FIRST-BORN; BUT, WHEN HE HAD DEFILED HIS FATHER'S BED, HIS BIRTHRIGHT WAS GIVEN TO (JOSEPH) [THE SONS JOSEPH BEN ISRAEL]. Hence the birthright belonged to Joseph. In the genealogy, however, he was not able to keep his birthright away from him, as stated (in Exod. 6:14): THE SONS OF REUBEN THE FIRST-BORN OF ISRAEL. "Now he was the first-born" is not written here (in I Chron. 5:1), but: NOW HE IS THE FIRST-BORN. So also in the case of the sons of Noah, Japheth was the oldest: but because Shem was more righteous, < Scripture > counts him first in every place.68 Thus it is stated (in Gen. 9:18): AND THE CHILDREN OF NOAH WHO WENT FORTH FROM THE ARK WERE SHEM, HAM, AND JAPHETH. In regard to genealogy, however, < Scripture > mentions Japheth as being the eldest. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 10:21): AND UNTO SHEM THERE WERE CHILDREN BORN. HE WAS ALSO FATHER TO ALL THE CHILDREN OF EBER < AND > THE BROTHER OF JAPHETH, WHO WAS THE OLDEST.69 R. Tanhuma said: But you also have to learn < through > greater insight, that Shem was second to Japheth. Therefore, you find that Noah sired a son at < an age of > five hundred years. It is written (in Gen. 5:32): AND NOAH WAS FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OLD; < AND NOAH BEGOT SHEM, HAM, AND JAPHETH >. Now the flood took place (according to Gen. 7:11): IN THE SIX HUNDREDTH YEAR OF NOAH'S LIFE…. {Since} it is also written of Shem that he sired a son at < the age of > a hundred years, {he was lacking two} [two years after the flood). It is so stated (in Gen. 11:10): THESE ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF SHEM: SHEM WAS A HUNDRED YEARS OLD WHEN HE BEGOT ARPACHSHAD, TWO YEARS AFTER THE FLOOD. If he had been the eldest, it would have been necessary to say only: HE BEGOT ARPACHSHAD, TWO YEARS AFTER THE FLOOD. You also learn from here that Japheth was two years older than Shem according to the reckoning of my calculation. Here also (in Gen. 27:33), Isaac only trembled when he said: What sin is there on my hands that I have blessed the younger before the elder and have changed the order? Jacob went out and Esau came in, as stated (in Gen. 27:30): AND JACOB HAD JUST GONE OUT…. He (Esau) said to his father (in vs. 32): I AM [YOUR SON], YOUR FIRST-BORN, ESAU. His father began saying: Who is this one who entered and received the blessings? The Holy Spirit said to him: It was Jacob. He said to him (in vs. 33): AND I HAVE EATEN OF EVERYTHING. R. Isaac said: In that dish Isaac had a taste OF EVERYTHING that the Holy One had created during the six days of creation.70 Also R. Judah b. R. Shallum said in the name of R. Ayyevu: In that dish Isaac had a taste of whatever is stored up for the righteous in the days to come. [Isaac said to him: In that dish I tasted everything that the Holy One has created]. Esau said to him: Daddy, [tell me:] What is that dish? Isaac said to him: < Whatever I ask for >. I asked for pheasant;71 I tasted it. Esau said to him: Daddy, tell me the basic < ingredient >. He said to him: It was meat. R. Hananyah b. R. Isaac said: When Esau heard this, he began striking his face. He said: Woe to that man, as stated (in Gen. 27:34): AND HE LET OUT A GREAT AND BITTER CRY…. Esau said: He fed me pottage of lentils, and I gave him my birthright. Now he has fed Daddy meat. You must know with what blessings he blessed him! HE BEGAN TO CRY AND SAY: IS HE NOT RIGHTLY NAMED JACOB (rt.: 'QB)? [FOR HE HAS CHEATED (rt.: 'QB) ME THESE TWO TIMES. HE TOOK MY BIRTHRIGHT; AND, SEE, NOW HE HAS TAKEN MY BLESSING.] His father said to him: So what should I do for you? He said to him: He has already taken my birthright. Isaac said to him: Over this matter I was sorry. He also said: Perhaps I transgressed a commandment of the Law in blessing the younger before the elder. Now that I have already blessed him, (according to Gen. 27:33:) HE SHALL ALSO BE BLESSED.
[24] (Gen. 27:35:) BUT HE SAID: YOUR BROTHER CAME WITH DECEIT < AND TOOK YOUR BLESSING >. Was he talking about a righteous one being WITH DECEIT? Heaven forbid! Rather < the verse means >: "He came with cunning because of you."72
(Gen. 27:36:) THEN HE SAID: HAVE YOU NOT RESERVED ME]73 A BLESSING?74 Resh Laqish said: This is one of three children of Adam who came with a legal circumvention against the Holy One.75 Esau said to him: If both of us are righteous, does not your God have < enough > blessings to bless both of us? The Holy One said to him: May your mouth be stopped up! Look, Jacob is blessing twelve tribes, and it is not a case of him blessing one as he blesses another. Even so he was filled with compassion for him. He came to bless him, but the Divine Presence departed from him. He began to pray and say (in the words of Is. 26:10): LET THE WICKED BE SHOWN FAVOR.76 He said to him (ibid., cont.): HE WILL NOT LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS. He said to him: Do you desire to bless this one? He is going to destroy my house and confuse lands77 and riches. Thus it is stated (ibid., cont.): IN A LAND OF INTEGRITY HE WILL ACT UNJUSTLY. Isaac said to him: Give to him in this world, AND (ibid., cont.) HE SHALL NOT SEE THE MAJESTY OF THE LORD in the world to come because he would compel78 me to repay him the glory with which he honored me. Esau immediately raised his eyes upward and wept, as stated (in Gen. 27:38): AND ESAU LIFTED UP HIS VOICE AND WEPT. The Holy One said: Although he is wicked, flatter him. R. Eleazar said: Esau shed three tears, one from his right < eye >, one from his left, and one disappeared in the midst of his eye.79 The Holy One said: Look, the wicked one is weeping over his life! How am I to turn him away empty! He immediately told his father to bless him. This text is related (to Ps. 80:6 [5]): YOU HAVE FED THEM THE BREAD OF TEARS AND HAVE HAD THEM DRINK A SHALISH80 OF TEARS. R. Abbin said in the name of R. Aha: Israel said to the Holy One: Sovereign of the World, now if in the case of Esau the Wicked, because he had shed two tears, < you were > filled with compassion for him immediately; how much the more so in our case, when our tears < flow > constantly day and night like bread, as stated (in Ps. 42:4 [3]): MY TEARS HAVE BEEN MY BREAD DAY AND NIGHT. Up to now the proper time has not arrived for him to be filled with compassion over you. David has said (in Ps. 39:13 [12]): HEAR MY PRAYER, O LORD, AND GIVE EAR TO MY CRY. DO NOT KEEP SILENCE AT MY TEARS. The Holy One said to them: I will repay Esau the Wicked for the glory of his ancestors, and I will exalt him. Afterwards, I am coming to exalt you and repay {them} [you] for what you have achieved and for what your ancestors achieved. It is so stated (in Ps. 46:11 [ 10]): I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE GENTILES; I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH. It is simply that the Holy One said to Jacob (in Gen. 28:14): AND YOUR SEED SHALL BE LIKE THE DUST OF THE EARTH. It is also written (in Mal. 3:12): FOR YOU WILL BE A DELIGHTFUL LAND. Esau said to him (in Gen. 27:37): BLESS ME ALSO, O MY FATHER. Isaac said to him: With what shall I bless you? R. Berekhyah said: He said to him: I made him a lord over you. In anything whatever that I should bless you, I should be blessing him. Why? Because whatever the slave acquires, he acquires for his master. (Gen. 27:29:) BE A MASTER TO YOUR BROTHER is what Isaac said to Jacob. That was the seventh blessing (in Gen. 27:29). Now Isaac had set down ten blessings with which he had blessed him, but he said to him only (in vs. 27:37): "BEHOLD, I HAVE MADE HIM A MASTER OVER YOU." He did, however, say to him: With everything that you are thinking I should bless you, I should only be blessing him. Why? Because whatever the servant has belongs to the master. Thus in Egypt, even though they had been enslaved to them, when they left them they took all their property. So also in the case of thirty-one kings (in Josh. 12:7-24), Israel drove them from their land and took their wealth. So also now in respect to what the peoples of the world are plundering from Israel, Israel belongs to the LORD. Thus it is stated (in Is. 23:18): HER (in reference to Tyre as a harlot) PROFITS AND HER HIRE SHALL BE DEDICATED TO THE LORD {OF HOSTS}. THEY SHALL NOT BE TREASURED OR STORED, FOR HER PROFITS SHALL BELONG TO THOSE WHO DWELL BEFORE THE LORD FOR EATING THEIR FILL AND FOR SPLENDID CLOTHING.
The End of Parashat Toledot.
1. For parallel accounts, see above, 5:4.
2. See yQid. 1:7 (61a).
3. Masoretic Text: ALL HIS FATHER’S HOUSE.
4. Cf. Tanh., Gen. 6:8.
5. Cf. Gen. R. 65:11.
6. Gk.: miliarion; Lat.: miliarium.
7. Gen. R. 63:13.
8. Gk.: iones.
9. Edom had become a common code word for Rome.
10. Gen. R. 67:2; see Tanh., Gen. 6:11.
11. It is possible to interpret Jacob’s words to his father as follows: IT IS I. ESAU IS YOUR FIRST-BORN. Cf. Gen. R. 65:18.
12. Cf. Gen. R. 65:19.
13. Gen. R. 65:19 argues a fortiori that, if God would bless Isaac by making a sacrifice appear at the time of the binding, he certainly would expedite matters in preparing this meal.
14. Buber notes that his text here is garbled and suggests the reading translated here from MS 1240 of the De Rossi library in Parma.
15. yTa‘an. 4:8 (68d); Git. 57b; Gen. R. 65:21.
16. Lat.: Caesar.
17. This town in Southern Israel is also known as Bithter or Bettar. The present Greek spelling is that adopted by Y. Aharoni and M. Avi-Yonah in The Macmillan Bible Atlas (New York: Macmillan, 1968.
18. I.e., Jakum of Seroroth. See Gen. R. 65:22; cf. M. Ps. 11:7.
19. The natural translation is: WHO THEN?
20. See Gen. R. 65:23.
21. Buber feels that the text in braces (from Codex Vaticanus, Ebr. 34) makes no sense and has substituted the text in square brackets, which he derived from MS 1240 of the De Rossi library in Parma.
22. Gk.: kalos (“beautifully,” “well”).
23. yShab. 15:3 (15a); Shab. 113a.
24. Cf. yPe’ah 8:8 (21b); PR 23:1.
25. See above, 6:4, and the other references cited there.
26. Cf. Gen. R. 66:1.
27. Cf. MS 1240 from the De Rossi library in Parma: “Because he would plant it away from the burning heat.”
28. Cf. THag. 2:9; TSanh. 7:1; ySanh. 1:4 (19c); Sanh. 88b.
29. Gen. R. 66:3.
30. Gen. R. 65:17.
31. See above, 6:10; Gen. R. 65:19.
32. Cf. Gen. R. 44:3; 65:19.
33. Gk.: stratia.
34. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Gen. 27:25.
35. Cf. Gen. R. 43:6.
36. See below, 6:22; Gen. R. 65:22.
37. Gen. R. 66:3.
38. See Exod. 17:6; Numb. 21:16-18. According to tradition this well followed Israel in the wilderness. See, e.g., TSuk. 3:11-13. Similarly I Corinthians 10:4.
39. Gen. R. 67:10; Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Gen. 27:29; Frag. (Jerusalem) Targum, Gen. 27:29.
40. Gen. R. 66:4.
41. Such verbal repetition, with the first verb vocalized as an infinitive absolute, is common in biblical Hebrew and generally indicates emphasis.
42. The Buber text reads “window” (hallon) here, but the word makes little sense. Buber himself suggests this emendation of “gateway” (pilon, from the Gk.: pylon). So Gen. R. 66:5.
43. Gk.: diskos; Lat.: discus.
44. See Tanh., Gen. 6:11.
45. See above, 6:10.
46. According to Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Gen. 27:31, Esau deceived his father by serving him dog meat instead of the venison he had been unable to catch.
47. PRK 5:6; PR 15:6; Cant. R. 5:2:1-2.
48. Lat.: castra.
49. The translation follows MS 1240 of the De Rossi Library in Parma, which is similar to PRK 5:6. The Buber text reads: “I myself was given orders.”
50. Buber finds the language confused here. According to the next paragraph, what the Holy One put in Rebekah’s heart was an answer to quiet Jacob’s concern. THE SOUND OF MY BELOVED KNOCKING might then be how Jacob heard her answer from the psalm as to why he should go and greet Isaac.
51. The point is explained in Gen. R. 65:15, which adds the following: “Thus it is stated (in Gen. 3:17): CURSED IS THE LAND BECAUSE OF YOU.” Since LAND here is the feminine form of “Adam,” the midrash interprets the cursed land as his mother.
52. Cf. Romans 11:4.
53. According to the parallel account in Yalqut Shim‘oni, Jud., 62: “Gideon’s generation was bowing down to a reflection (in the water).” See ‘AZ 47a.
54. Gk.: semion.
55. The Buber text, which reads “we shall crucify” instead of “was crucified,” is difficult. This translation follows Yalqut Shim‘oni, Is. 298 (430); Aggadat Bereshit 43:4.
56. The Buber text, which reads “we shall crucify” instead of “was crucified,” is difficult. This translation follows Yalqut Shim‘oni, Is. 298 (430); Aggadat Bereshit 43:4.
57. Tanh., Gen. 6:14.
58. The Masoretic Text reads: SHALL PROSPER.
59. The Masoretic Text vocalizes ‘anani as ‘anane, which means “clouds.”
60. Cf. Gen. R. 67:3.
61. See yMQ 3:7 (83b); ySanh. 7:10 (25b); MQ 26a; Sanh. 60a.
62. Gk.: blasphemia.
63. See Tanh., Gen. 6:13.
64. See above, 6:16; Gen. R. 65:22; Cant. R. 4:11:2.
65. See above, 6:1, 4.
66. Gen. R. 67:2; Cant. R. 4:11:2.
67. Cf. Mekhilta de Rabbi Ishmael, Pisha, 1.
68. See above, 2:19.
69. The last eight words can be, and commonly are, translated: THE ELDER BROTHER OF JAPHETH. See Gen. R. 37:7.
70. Tanh., Gen. 6:11; Gen. R. 67:2.
71. Gk.: phasianos.
72. According to Gen. R. 67:4, WITH DECEIT means “with the wisdom of his Torah.” Similarly Rashi, s.v., notes that WITH DECEIT means “with wisdom.”
73. See above, 5:6, n. 25; 6:1, n. 1.
74. With the word BLESSING, Buber is able to follow his Oxford MS again.
75. Sanh. 101a (bar.) names Cain, Esau, and Manasseh as the three.
76. Gen. R. 67:5.
77. ‘Aratsot. Perhaps the text should read ‘otsarot (“treasures”) here. See MS 1240 of the De Rossi library in Parma.
78. Gk.: anangke.
79. M.Pss. 80:4.
80. The word SHALISH has the same spelling as shelish, which means “one-third,” and has the same root as the word for “three.” In the context of the psalm shalish denotes a dry measure, which is a third of an ephah.