Chapter 27 - Text Notes
115 What
caused his dimming eyesight?
116 I.e., the smoke that was raised
by them when burning incense in their idol worship. (Tanchuma 8)
117
Ber. Rab. 65, 6.
118 Rashi gives three explanations for
Yitzchok's loss of his eyesight. The first (due to the smoke of the
incense) can be inferred from the juxtaposition of Yitzchok's blindness
with the previous verse. The second stems from the use of the word {Hebrew Ref} ---from seeing. i.e., as a result of the angels
seeing. The third answers why he became blind, whereas the first
two tell how it happened. (L.S.R.)
119 Why did he become
concerned about his death at this particular time?
120 Yaakov was 63 when he received the blessings. Since
Yitzchok was 60 at Yaakov's birth, he was now 123. Yitzchok who was now
within five years of his mother's death, for she died at 127, became
concerned (Rashi on Ber. Rab. 65, 12).
121 Unlike Onkelos who
translates it simply, take. Rashi apparently argues that it
would be superfluous for Yitzchok to tell Eisov to take his hunting
implements with him. Eisov was obviously more expert than Yitzchok.
(L.S.R.)
122 Beitza 28a.
123 On Yom Tov.
124 Which is
permitted because it is not done in the usual manner.
125 I.e.,
an animal or bird improperly slaughtered.
126 Ber. Rab. 65, 13.
127 {Hebrew Ref} seems superfluous because obviously he
would hunt for the purpose of bringing it.
128 {Hebrew Ref}
stresses that he will bring meat by whatever means necessary.
129
Ber. Rab. 65, 13.
130 Why not just {Hebrew Ref} ---take,
{Hebrew Ref} [to me] seems superfluous.
131 Ber. Rab. 65, 14.
132 Chapt. 32.
133 If Yitzchok asked Eisov to bring back
meat from the hunt, he obviously wished it to be from an undomesticated
animal such as venison from a deer. Yaakov was no hunter, then what was
he to do?
134 Dev. 28, 29, "Groping at midday." The root is {Hebrew Ref} ---to feel, touch, grope.
135 Ber. Rab. 65, 16. The Midrash relates that Eisov killed
Nimrod, for these clothes. Nimrod was also a hunter.
136 How did
Rivkah come to be in possession of Eisov's clothes?
137 Ber. Rab.
65, 16.
138 Was Yaakov not lying?
139 Gur Aryeh notes the
difference between Yaakov's use of {Hebrew Ref} as opposed to
Eisov's use of {Hebrew Ref} ( {Hebrew Ref} v. 32).
{Hebrew Ref} stands alone and can be separate from what follows it.
Thus {Hebrew Ref} ---I am the one who brings you food.
{Hebrew Ref} but Eisov is your first-born. {Hebrew Ref} , however, is inexorably joined to what follows and was therefore
specifically not used by Yaakov.
140 I.e., many other things at
different times.
141 What made Yitzchok suspicious that this was not Eisov?
142 V. 20. Ber. Rab. 65, 19.
143 If Yitzchok actually
recognized Yaakov's voice why did he not immediately, upon hearing him
say "I am, your first-born son Eisov," suspect him. Furthermore,
Yaakov in talking with his mother expressed concern only of being
touched. Why was he not worried about his voice being recognized?
(S.C.)
144 V. 19.
145 The sounds of their voices were
indistinguishable. Yitzchok became suspicious because of the manner in
which they spoke.
146 Was Yaakov not lying?
147 Ber. Rab. 65, 22.
148
Tosafos in Taanis 29b explain that "apple" here refers to {Hebrew Ref} .
149 Taanis 29b.
150 Why the connective letter {Hebrew Ref} of {Hebrew Ref} ?
151 The {Hebrew Ref} indicates
giving and giving, etc.
152 Ber. Rab. 66, 3.
153 Of the Names of G-d {Hebrew Ref} signifies His
attribute of {Hebrew Ref} ---justice, whereby He rewards and
punishes according to what one deserves. {Hebrew Ref} signifies
His attribute of {Hebrew Ref} ---compassion.
154 Thus,
{Hebrew Ref} ---"The G-d of Justice will give to
you."
155 V. 39.
156 I Melachim 8, 39.
157 Ibid. v.
43.
158 Below 49, 8.
159 Ber. Rab. 66, 4.
160 The order
is reversed---those who bless are mentioned first.
161 Bamid.
24, 9.
162 Ber. Rab. 66, 4. Though Bilam was blessing the
Israelites, nevertheless, he did so from his own perspective, where
happiness precedes suffering. (G.A.)
163 It was a miracle that
Eisov did not come a moment sooner, or else Yaakov would not have
received the blessings. (Rashbam)
164 Though usually {Hebrew Ref} expresses fear and anxiety.
165 Tanchuma 11.
166 According to this explanation {Hebrew Ref} means fear and anxiety.
167 I.e., it has no common root
with another Hebrew word.
168 I.e., it has various meanings
depending on the context.
169 {Hebrew Ref} ---where
here.
170 {Hebrew Ref} seems superfluous.
171 Ber. Rab.
67, 2. Eisov had asked his father about the taste of the food and
Yitzchok answered that he was able to select any taste he desired.
172 Why, here, did Yitzchok bless Yaakov once more?
173 Though often {Hebrew Ref} means with trickery, here,
Rashi agrees with Onkelos' translation {Hebrew Ref} ---with
wisdom.
174 I.e., is this the reason that he is called {Hebrew Ref} ?
175 Below 29, 26.
176 Chapt. 23.
177 Bamidbar 11, 25.
178 The first six blessings: 1) {Hebrew Ref} 2) {Hebrew Ref} , 3) {Hebrew Ref} , 4) {Hebrew Ref} , 5) {Hebrew Ref} , 6) {Hebrew Ref} .
179 See v. 38, 29.
180 Pesachim 88b.
181 Bamid. 13, 19.
182 Ibid. v. 20.
183 II Shmuel
3, 33.
184 Josephus writes that {Hebrew Ref} , (the son of {Hebrew Ref} , the son of Eisov) was King of Italy where he and his
descendants settled. This is the reason that Rome is considered {Hebrew Ref} . (L.S.R.)
185 Yechezkel 33, 26.
186 Shemos 6, 26.
187 Tehillim 55, 3.
188 I.e., you will feel that they are
undeserving of the blessings.
189 Ber. Rab. 67, 7.
190 Why wait till then?
191 Ber. Rab. 67, 9.
192 The
root has two meanings: 1) to be comforted, 2) to regret.
193 Sotah
13a.
194 It was customary for close relatives to drink a "cup of
consolation" for the deceased.
195 {Hebrew Ref} is a verb and does not mean "I will
bereave you."
196 Below 43, 14.
197 Why did she feel that
she would lose them both?
198 Sotah 13a. The Gemara there relates
that Eisov attempted to block Yaakov's burial at the {Hebrew Ref} whereupon Chushim ben Dan chopped off Eisov's head. Thus was
Rivkah's prophecy fulfilled.
Chapter 28 - Text Notes
199 Yevamos 13b.
200 Why is this particular Name of G-d
used here? (S.C.)
201 {Hebrew Ref} is similar to {Hebrew Ref} ---who has sufficient.
202 Which of the blessings
given to Avraham could possibly apply to Yaakov. Obviously {Hebrew Ref} ---I will bless those who bless you (above 12, 3)
cannot be implemented for Yaakov. (G.A.)
203 Above 12, 2.
204
Above 22, 18.
205 For by now, we are well aware that Rivkah was their mother.
206 In order to take a wife from his own family as did Yaakov.
207 For it has already been stated that she was Yishmael's
daughter, above 25, 13.
208 For Avraham was 86 at Yishmael's birth (v. above 16, 16)
and 100 at Yitzchok's birth (ibid. 21, 5).
209 Above 25, 17.
210 Below 31, 41.
211 Yaakov had requested to take his leave of
Lavan after 14 years, but agreed to stay on in return of receiving
sheep as wages.
212 Below 30, 25.
213 Below 41, 46.
214
Below 47, 9.
215 At the time of his becoming ruler.
216 From the time he arrived at Lavan until he arrived in
Egypt.
217 Which should have been his age when he came to Egypt.
218 I.e., for those fourteen years.
219 Which he studied
during those fourteen years.
220 I.e., for the twenty-two years
that Yaakov did not fulfill the precept of {Hebrew Ref} ---
honoring one's father, he was punished that Yoseif was taken from
him for 22 years.
221 Below 33, 17.
222 Why point out that it was "In addition to
his wives?"
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