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Genesis 15:12 - Avram's dark prophetic vision

Genesis 15:12 - בראשית 15:12

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לָבוֹא וְתַרְדֵּמָה נָפְלָה עַל־אַבְרָם וְהִנֵּה אֵימָה חֲשֵׁכָה גְדֹלָה נֹפֶלֶת עָלָיו׃

English Translation

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Avram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Transliteration

Vayehi hashemesh lavo vetardema nafela al-Avram vehine eima chashecha gedola nofelet alav.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֤י הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ לָב֔וֹא וְתַרְדֵּמָ֖ה נָפְלָ֣ה עַל־אַבְרָ֑ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵימָ֛ה חֲשֵׁכָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה נֹפֶ֥לֶת עָלָֽיו׃
וַיְהִ֤י הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ לָב֔וֹא וְתַרְדֵּמָ֖ה נָפְלָ֣ה עַל־אַבְרָ֑ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵימָ֛ה חֲשֵׁכָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה נֹפֶ֥לֶת עָלָֽיו׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Literal and Contextual Meaning

The verse (Bereishit 15:12) describes Avram experiencing a deep sleep (tardemah) and a "horror of great darkness" as the sun was setting. This occurs during the Brit Bein HaBetarim (Covenant Between the Parts), where Hashem reveals to Avram the future exile and redemption of his descendants.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the "horror of great darkness" refers to the future suffering of Avram's descendants:

  • אֵימָה (horror): Represents the fear and oppression during the exile in Egypt.
  • חֲשֵׁכָה (darkness): Symbolizes the Greek exile, which spiritually darkened the world (as in the days of Chanukah).
  • גְדֹלָה (great): Alludes to the suffering under the rule of Edom (Rome and subsequent exiles).

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 44:17) elaborates that the tardemah (deep sleep) was a prophetic state in which Avram foresaw the four exiles of the Jewish people:

  • Babylonian exile (symbolized by the "horror").
  • Persian exile (symbolized by the "darkness").
  • Greek exile (symbolized by the "greatness" of the darkness).
  • Edomite exile (the final and longest exile).

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:41) discusses prophetic visions and explains that tardemah is a state of divine revelation where the physical senses are suspended, allowing the soul to receive higher truths. Avram's experience was a prophetic vision of future Jewish history.

Kabbalistic Insight

The Zohar (1:82b) connects the "great darkness" to the concept of tzimtzum (divine concealment), where Hashem's presence is hidden during times of exile. The darkness represents the challenges that refine and elevate the Jewish people.

Halachic Reflection

The Talmud (Niddah 30b) notes that tardemah is a state between sleep and wakefulness, suggesting that Avram's vision occurred in a liminal spiritual space where prophecy is received. This aligns with the idea that prophecy often comes in dreams or semi-conscious states (as with Yaakov's ladder).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nedarim 32a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the covenant between the pieces (ברית בין הבתרים) and the deep sleep that fell upon Abraham, illustrating the divine revelation and the prophetic experience.
📖 Sanhedrin 96a
Mentioned in the context of discussing the nature of prophetic visions and the experiences of the patriarchs, particularly focusing on the significance of the 'horror of great darkness' as a prelude to divine communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the 'horror of great darkness' mean in Genesis 15:12?
A: According to Rashi, the 'horror of great darkness' that fell upon Avram (Abraham) was a prophetic vision showing the future suffering of his descendants during their exile and oppression (such as the Egyptian slavery and other exiles). This darkness symbolizes the hardships the Jewish people would endure before their ultimate redemption.
Q: Why did Avram fall into a deep sleep in this verse?
A: The deep sleep (תַּרְדֵּמָה) was a divinely induced state, as explained by Ramban (Nachmanides), allowing Avram to receive prophetic visions. This was similar to the deep sleep that fell upon Adam during the creation of Chava (Eve), showing that this was a special spiritual experience, not an ordinary sleep.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 15:12?
A: The Midrash teaches that this verse reminds us that even in moments of darkness and difficulty (symbolized by the 'great darkness'), there is divine providence. Avram was shown future hardships but also the promise of redemption, teaching us to trust in Hashem's plan even during challenging times.
Q: Why did this vision happen at sunset ('when the sun was going down')?
A: Rashi explains that the setting sun symbolizes a time of transition and uncertainty, foreshadowing the exile and suffering that would come upon Avram's descendants. Just as the sun sets but rises again, the Jewish people would endure darkness but ultimately emerge into light.
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish history?
A: Traditional Jewish sources (like the Talmud and Midrash) link this verse to the four major exiles of the Jewish people (Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman). The 'great darkness' represents these periods of oppression, but the covenant with Avram (in the following verses) assures eventual redemption, as seen in Jewish history.