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Genesis 27:27 - Fragrance of Divine blessing?

Genesis 27:27 - בראשית 27:27

Hebrew Text

וַיִּגַּשׁ וַיִּשַּׁק־לוֹ וַיָּרַח אֶת־רֵיחַ בְּגָדָיו וַיְבָרֲכֵהוּ וַיֹּאמֶר רְאֵה רֵיחַ בְּנִי כְּרֵיחַ שָׂדֶה אֲשֶׁר בֵּרֲכוֹ יְהוָה׃

English Translation

And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelt the smell of his garments, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed:

Transliteration

Vayigash vayishak lo vayarach et reiach begadav vayevarechehu vayomer re'eh reiach bni kereiach sadeh asher beiracho Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּגַּשׁ֙ וַיִּשַּׁק־ל֔וֹ וַיָּ֛רַח אֶת־רֵ֥יחַ בְּגָדָ֖יו וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר רְאֵה֙ רֵ֣יחַ בְּנִ֔י כְּרֵ֣יחַ שָׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֵּרְכ֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה׃
וַיִּגַּשׁ֙ וַיִּשַּׁק־ל֔וֹ וַיָּ֛רַח אֶת־רֵ֥יחַ בְּגָדָ֖יו וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר רְאֵה֙ רֵ֣יחַ בְּנִ֔י כְּרֵ֣יחַ שָׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֵּרְכ֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Kiss and the Scent of Blessing

The verse describes Yitzchak (Isaac) drawing close to Yaakov (Jacob), kissing him, and smelling the fragrance of his garments. Rashi (Bereshit 27:27) explains that the phrase "וַיָּרַח אֶת־רֵיחַ בְּגָדָיו" ("he smelled the smell of his garments") alludes to the scent of Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden). This interpretation is based on the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 65:22), which teaches that the fragrance was not merely from Yaakov's physical clothing but from the spiritual merit of his righteousness.

The Symbolism of the Field

When Yitzchak declares that Yaakov's scent is like "שָׂדֶה אֲשֶׁר בֵּרֲכוֹ יְהוָה" ("a field which the Lord has blessed"), the Ramban (Nachmanides, Bereshit 27:27) connects this imagery to the future sanctity of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). The field represents the land’s fertility and divine favor, foreshadowing the blessings Yaakov’s descendants would inherit. The Talmud (Ta’anit 29b) also associates fields with divine blessing, particularly in the context of agricultural prosperity tied to mitzvot (commandments) like tithes and shmita (the Sabbatical year).

The Garments and Their Deeper Meaning

The Midrash (Tanchuma, Toldos 8) suggests that the "בְּגָדָיו" ("garments") Yaakov wore were not ordinary clothes but the special garments of Adam HaRishon (the first man), which had been passed down through the generations. These garments carried a spiritual fragrance, symbolizing purity and divine favor. Alternatively, the Kli Yakar (Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz) explains that the garments represent mitzvot—just as clothing adorns the body, mitzvot adorn the soul with a spiritual fragrance.

The Blessing and Its Eternal Significance

Yitzchak’s blessing reflects the transmission of the Abrahamic covenant. The Sforno (Bereshit 27:27) notes that the phrase "אֲשֶׁר בֵּרֲכוֹ יְהוָה" ("which the Lord has blessed") emphasizes that the true source of blessing is Hashem, reinforcing that Yaakov’s merit was divinely ordained. This moment solidified Yaakov’s role as the bearer of the legacy of Avraham and Yitzchak, ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Ta'anit 29b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the blessings and the significance of the scent, symbolizing divine favor.
📖 Berakhot 43b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of pleasant smells and their spiritual significance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the 'smell of my son is like the smell of a field' mean in Genesis 27:27?
A: According to Rashi, the 'smell of the field' refers to the fragrance of Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden), which clung to Yaakov (Jacob) because of his righteousness. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 65:22) explains that this symbolizes the sweet smell of mitzvot (commandments) and good deeds.
Q: Why did Yitzchak (Isaac) kiss Yaakov before blessing him?
A: The kiss was a sign of affection and confirmation of the blessing. The Talmud (Megillah 18a) teaches that a kiss can sometimes be a sign of divine inspiration (Ruach HaKodesh), indicating that Yitzchak was moved by a higher understanding at that moment.
Q: What is the significance of smelling the garments in Genesis 27:27?
A: Rashi explains that the garments Yaakov wore belonged to Eisav (Esau), but they originally came from Nimrod and had a special fragrance. Alternatively, the Ramban suggests that the smell was metaphorical, representing the spiritual purity and pleasantness of Yaakov's character.
Q: How does the blessing in Genesis 27:27 apply to us today?
A: The verse teaches that true blessings come from righteousness and connection to Hashem. Just as Yaakov's spiritual qualities were 'smelled' by Yitzchak, we learn that our actions and mitzvot create a spiritual fragrance that brings divine favor. This encourages us to live a life of Torah and good deeds.
Q: Why does the verse mention 'a field which the Lord has blessed'?
A: The field represents fertility, abundance, and divine blessing. The Sforno explains that this comparison shows that Yaakov's future descendants would be blessed with prosperity and success, just as a well-tended field yields abundant produce when blessed by Hashem.