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Genesis 26:7 - Fear repeats history's mistake?

Genesis 26:7 - בראשית 26:7

Hebrew Text

וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ אַנְשֵׁי הַמָּקוֹם לְאִשְׁתּוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר אֲחֹתִי הִוא כִּי יָרֵא לֵאמֹר אִשְׁתִּי פֶּן־יַהַרְגֻנִי אַנְשֵׁי הַמָּקוֹם עַל־רִבְקָה כִּי־טוֹבַת מַרְאֶה הִיא׃

English Translation

and the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me on account of Rivqa; because she was fair to look upon.

Transliteration

Vayishalu anshei hamakom leishto vayomer achoti hi ki yare lemor ishti pen yaharguni anshei hamakom al rivka ki tovat mare hi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיִּשְׁאֲל֞וּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמָּקוֹם֙ לְאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֑וא כִּ֤י יָרֵא֙ לֵאמֹ֣ר אִשְׁתִּ֔י פֶּן־יַֽהַרְגֻ֜נִי אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמָּקוֹם֙ עַל־רִבְקָ֔ה כִּֽי־טוֹבַ֥ת מַרְאֶ֖ה הִֽוא׃
וַֽיִּשְׁאֲל֞וּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמָּקוֹם֙ לְאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֑וא כִּ֤י יָרֵא֙ לֵאמֹ֣ר אִשְׁתִּ֔י פֶּן־יַֽהַרְגֻ֜נִי אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמָּקוֹם֙ עַל־רִבְקָ֔ה כִּֽי־טוֹבַ֥ת מַרְאֶ֖ה הִֽוא׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding Yitzchak's Concern

In Bereishit 26:7, Yitzchak tells the people of Gerar that Rivka is his sister rather than his wife, fearing they would kill him to take her. Rashi explains that this incident mirrors Avraham's similar actions in Egypt and Gerar (Bereishit 12:11-13, 20:2), demonstrating a recurring test for the Avot (forefathers). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 64:3) notes that Yitzchak's fear stemmed from Rivka's exceptional beauty, which could provoke envy and violence.

Halachic and Ethical Considerations

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 5:2) discusses the principle of pikuach nefesh (saving a life), which permits certain deviations from truth in life-threatening situations. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 57a) implies that Yitzchak's decision was justified under duress, as self-preservation takes precedence in such cases. However, the Ramban (Bereishit 12:11) critiques Avraham (and by extension, Yitzchak) for lacking sufficient trust in Hashem's protection.

Rivka's Role and Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Toldot 8) emphasizes Rivka's righteousness, noting that she remained modest despite her beauty, which is why she was worthy of becoming a matriarch.
  • Rabbeinu Bachya (Bereishit 26:7) suggests that Yitzchak's phrasing ("She is my sister") was technically true, as Rivka was his cousin, and the term "sister" can denote a close familial relationship in biblical Hebrew.

Divine Providence and Historical Context

The Ohr HaChaim (Bereishit 26:7) highlights that this episode was orchestrated by Hashem to demonstrate Yitzchak's merit and to fulfill the promise that his descendants would inherit the land. The Kli Yakar adds that the repetition of this test with both Avraham and Yitzchak underscores the challenges faced by the Avot in establishing their legacy in a hostile environment.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 19b
The verse is discussed in the context of Abraham's actions and the moral implications of his decision to say that Sarah was his sister rather than his wife.
📖 Bava Metzia 87a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the behavior of the patriarchs and the ethical considerations of their actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yitzchak (Isaac) say that Rivka (Rebecca) was his sister instead of his wife?
A: Yitzchak feared that the men of Gerar would kill him to take Rivka, because she was very beautiful (Genesis 26:7). This was a precaution to protect himself, similar to what his father Avraham had done earlier (Rashi on Genesis 26:7).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yitzchak's action in this verse?
A: The verse teaches the importance of being cautious in dangerous situations. While honesty is a Jewish value (Leviticus 19:11), preserving life (pikuach nefesh) takes precedence in cases of genuine threat (Rambam, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 5:1). However, later commentators note that complete trust in Hashem would have been ideal.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that Rivka was beautiful?
A: The Torah mentions Rivka's beauty to explain why Yitzchak felt particularly threatened in Gerar. Her exceptional appearance made her a target, which is why Yitzchak took precautions (Sforno on Genesis 26:7). The Torah often includes physical descriptions when they are relevant to the narrative.
Q: Did Yitzchak do the right thing by lying about Rivka?
A: Jewish tradition is nuanced on this question. While the Torah records Yitzchak's action without explicit criticism, some commentators suggest it showed a slight lack of complete trust in Hashem's protection (Ramban on Genesis 26:7). However, others defend his caution as prudent in a dangerous situation (Radak on Genesis 26:7).
Q: How is this story similar to what happened with Avraham and Sarah?
A: This incident mirrors events in Avraham's life (Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-18), showing that both patriarchs faced similar challenges. The repetition teaches that even great tzaddikim (righteous people) sometimes struggle with the same tests (Midrash Tanchuma, Chayei Sarah 4).