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Genesis 26:30 - Feast seals peace pact?

Genesis 26:30 - בראשית 26:30

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעַשׂ לָהֶם מִשְׁתֶּה וַיֹּאכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתּוּ׃

English Translation

And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.

Transliteration

Va'ya'as lahem mishteh va'yochlu va'yishtu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ לָהֶם֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה וַיֹּאכְל֖וּ וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ׃
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ לָהֶם֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה וַיֹּאכְל֖וּ וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Bereishit (Genesis)

The verse "וַיַּעַשׂ לָהֶם מִשְׁתֶּה וַיֹּאכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתּוּ" (Bereishit 26:30) appears in the narrative of Yitzchak (Isaac) and Avimelech, king of the Philistines, after they made a covenant of peace. The feast symbolizes reconciliation and the establishment of peaceful relations.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereishit 26:30) notes that the feast was a celebration of the covenant, emphasizing that sharing a meal is a sign of goodwill and mutual respect. He connects this to the broader theme in Tanach where meals signify treaties or significant agreements (e.g., Yaakov and Lavan in Bereishit 31:54).

Rambam on Feasting and Peace

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:1) discusses the importance of pursuing peace, even with non-Jewish neighbors. This feast aligns with the halachic principle of דַּרְכֵי שָׁלוֹם (ways of peace), where sharing a meal fosters harmony and prevents conflict.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Toldot 12) suggests that Yitzchak's feast was an act of הכנסת אורחים (hospitality), a trait inherited from Avraham. Even after tension with Avimelech, Yitzchak modeled kindness by hosting them.
  • Bereishit Rabbah (64:8) highlights that eating together signifies trust, as one would not dine with an enemy. The feast thus confirmed the sincerity of their peace agreement.

Halachic Significance

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 170:1) rules that meals shared in good faith strengthen bonds. Here, Yitzchak’s feast serves as a precedent for using shared meals to solidify peaceful resolutions.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the feast in Genesis 26:30?
A: The feast marks the peace treaty between Yitzchak (Isaac) and Avimelech after their dispute over wells (Genesis 26:15-22). According to Rashi, sharing a meal symbolizes reconciliation and the establishment of trust between former adversaries, a concept that remains important in Jewish tradition.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that they 'ate and drank' specifically?
A: The Talmud (Bava Metzia 87b) teaches that eating and drinking together demonstrates complete reconciliation - not just superficial peace. Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:1) later codifies this as a model for establishing peaceful relations between parties.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: This verse teaches the Jewish value of pursuing peace (darchei shalom). Even after conflict, we should actively seek reconciliation, as Yitzchak did. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 64:8) notes that Yitzchak initiated this feast, showing we should take the first step toward making peace.