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Genesis 26:8 - Royal witness to marital joy

Genesis 26:8 - בראשית 26:8

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי כִּי אָרְכוּ־לוֹ שָׁם הַיָּמִים וַיַּשְׁקֵף אֲבִימֶלֶךְ מֶלֶךְ פְּלִשְׁתִּים בְּעַד הַחַלּוֹן וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה יִצְחָק מְצַחֵק אֵת רִבְקָה אִשְׁתּוֹ׃

English Translation

And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Avimelekh king of the Pelishtim looked out at a window, and saw, and behold, Yiżĥaq was sporting with Rivqa his wife.

Transliteration

Vay'hi ki ar'khu-lo sham hayamim vayashkef Avimelekh melekh Plishtim b'ad hachalon vayar vehine Yitzchak m'tzachek et Rivkah ishto.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֗י כִּ֣י אָֽרְכוּ־ל֥וֹ שָׁם֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים בְּעַ֖ד הַֽחַלּ֑וֹן וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֤ה יִצְחָק֙ מְצַחֵ֔ק אֵ֖ת רִבְקָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃
וַיְהִ֗י כִּ֣י אָֽרְכוּ־ל֥וֹ שָׁם֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים בְּעַ֖ד הַֽחַלּ֑וֹן וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֤ה יִצְחָק֙ מְצַחֵ֔ק אֵ֖ת רִבְקָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bereshit 26:8) describes an incident where Avimelekh, king of the Pelishtim, observes Yitzchak and Rivkah engaging in affectionate behavior. This occurs after Yitzchak had settled in Gerar and initially presented Rivkah as his sister out of fear for his safety (Bereshit 26:7). The term "מְצַחֵק" ("sporting") is key to understanding the deeper implications of this episode.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 26:8) interprets "מְצַחֵק" as an expression of marital intimacy, citing Onkelos, who translates it as "laughing" or "playing" in an affectionate manner. Rashi emphasizes that Avimelekh realized their true relationship because he saw them behaving as husband and wife, not as siblings. This revelation exposed Yitzchak's earlier claim that Rivkah was his sister as a protective measure.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Bereshit Rabbah (64:4): Expands on the term "מְצַחֵק," suggesting it refers to acts of marital love, which clarified for Avimelekh that Rivkah was Yitzchak's wife.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Toldot 8): Highlights that Avimelekh observed their behavior through a window, symbolizing divine providence ensuring that the truth would be revealed to protect the sanctity of their marriage.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 21:11) discusses the importance of marital privacy (צניעות) and how this incident underscores the Torah's emphasis on modesty. While Yitzchak and Rivkah were within their rights as a married couple, the episode serves as a lesson on the boundaries of appropriate behavior in public view.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Ketubot 65a) derives from this verse that certain displays of affection between spouses should be private, reinforcing the value of modesty (צניעות) in Jewish law. The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 21:1) codifies this principle, stating that spouses should avoid excessive public displays of intimacy.

Symbolic Meaning

The Malbim (Bereshit 26:8) notes that Avimelekh's observation through the window ("בְּעַד הַחַלּוֹן") symbolizes divine oversight—Hashem ensured that the truth would come to light to protect Yitzchak and Rivkah's union and prevent further deception, even if initially justified for safety.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'sporting with Rivka' mean in Genesis 26:8?
A: The phrase 'מְצַחֵק אֵת רִבְקָה' (sporting with Rivka) refers to Isaac showing affection to his wife Rivka in a playful or intimate manner. Rashi explains that Avimelech realized they were truly married (not siblings as Isaac initially claimed) because he saw Isaac acting in a husbandly way with Rivka.
Q: Why did Avimelech look through the window in Genesis 26:8?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 64:5) suggests that Avimelech was suspicious of Isaac and Rivka's relationship because they presented themselves as siblings. When he looked through the window, he witnessed their true marital relationship, proving they were husband and wife.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 26:8 about marriage?
A: The verse teaches the importance of proper marital affection between husband and wife. The Rambam (Hilchot Ishut 15:19) derives from this that a husband should bring joy to his wife, as Isaac did with Rivka. It also shows that true marital bonds cannot be hidden indefinitely.
Q: Why is this incident with Avimelech important in Isaac's story?
A: This event mirrors a similar incident with Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 20), showing how the same test recurred for Isaac. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 89b) notes that the righteous face similar challenges as their ancestors. It also demonstrates God's protection of the patriarchs in foreign lands.
Q: How does the phrase 'when he had been there a long time' relate to the story?
A: Rashi explains that Isaac stayed in Gerar for an extended period because of a famine, similar to his father Abraham's experience. The length of time made Avimelech more observant of Isaac's behavior, leading to the discovery of his true relationship with Rivka.