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Genesis 27:45 - Flee until anger fades?

Genesis 27:45 - בראשית 27:45

Hebrew Text

עַד־שׁוּב אַף־אָחִיךָ מִמְּךָ וְשָׁכַח אֵת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂיתָ לּוֹ וְשָׁלַחְתִּי וּלְקַחְתִּיךָ מִשָּׁם לָמָה אֶשְׁכַּל גַּם־שְׁנֵיכֶם יוֹם אֶחָד׃

English Translation

until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from there: why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?

Transliteration

Ad-shuv af-achicha mimcha v'shachach et asher-asita lo v'shalachti ul'kach'ticha misham lama eshkal gam-shneichem yom echad.

Hebrew Leining Text

עַד־שׁ֨וּב אַף־אָחִ֜יךָ מִמְּךָ֗ וְשָׁכַח֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֖י וּלְקַחְתִּ֣יךָ מִשָּׁ֑ם לָמָ֥ה אֶשְׁכַּ֛ל גַּם־שְׁנֵיכֶ֖ם י֥וֹם אֶחָֽד׃
עַד־שׁ֨וּב אַף־אָחִ֜יךָ מִמְּךָ֗ וְשָׁכַח֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֖י וּלְקַחְתִּ֣יךָ מִשָּׁ֑ם לָמָ֥ה אֶשְׁכַּ֛ל גַּם־שְׁנֵיכֶ֖ם י֥וֹם אֶחָֽד׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Source

The verse appears in Bereshit (Genesis) 27:45, where Rivka (Rebecca) advises Yaakov (Jacob) to flee to her brother Lavan’s house to escape Esav’s (Esau’s) wrath after receiving Yitzchak’s (Isaac’s) blessings. Rivka assures Yaakov that Esav’s anger will eventually subside, and she will send for him when it is safe to return.

Rashi’s Commentary

Rashi explains that Rivka’s words, "until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee", indicate that Esav’s fury is temporary. He emphasizes that Rivka’s prophecy—"then I will send, and fetch thee from there"—reflects her maternal concern and divine insight. However, Rashi notes that Rivka never actually sent for Yaakov, as she passed away before his return, and the phrase "why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?" hints at her fear that Esav might kill Yaakov, leaving her childless.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Toledot 12) suggests that Rivka’s words carry a deeper meaning: she foresaw that Yaakov’s exile would last until Esav’s descendants (Rome/Edom) would no longer dominate Israel. The phrase "and he forget that which thou hast done to him" alludes to the eventual cessation of Esav’s hatred.
  • Bereishit Rabbah (67:9) interprets "why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?" as Rivka’s fear that if Esav killed Yaakov, he would also be punished by Heaven, resulting in her losing both sons simultaneously.

Rambam’s Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot De’ot 2:3) draws a moral lesson from Rivka’s advice: avoiding conflict and allowing time for anger to dissipate is a wise strategy. Yaakov’s temporary exile exemplifies the importance of patience and trust in Hashem’s plan for reconciliation.

Halachic and Ethical Implications

The verse underscores key Jewish values:

  • Shalom Bayit (Domestic Peace): Rivka’s intervention highlights the priority of preventing strife, even if it requires separation.
  • Bitachon (Trust in Hashem): Yaakov’s exile, though difficult, was part of a divine plan to ensure his survival and future role as Yisrael.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 27:45 mean in simple terms?
A: This verse is Rivka (Rebecca) speaking to her son Yaakov (Jacob), advising him to flee from his brother Esav's (Esau's) anger. She tells him to stay away until Esav's anger subsides and he forgets what Yaakov did (taking the blessings). She promises to send for Yaakov when it's safe, expressing her fear of losing both sons in one day if they fight.
Q: Why did Rivka say 'why should I be bereaved of you both in one day'?
A: Rashi explains that Rivka feared two tragic possibilities: either Esav would kill Yaakov, and then the family or society would execute Esav as a murderer, or Yaakov would kill Esav in self-defense. Either way, she could lose both sons on the same day. This shows a mother's deep concern for both her children, despite their conflict.
Q: How long did Yaakov wait before returning home?
A: According to the Torah's narrative and commentaries, Yaakov waited many years - he spent 20 years with Lavan (Laban) in Charan (Genesis 31:38). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) discusses how this period allowed time for Esav's anger to cool, fulfilling Rivka's condition for safe return.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Rivka's advice to Yaakov?
A: The verse teaches important lessons about conflict resolution: 1) Sometimes temporary separation is needed to allow anger to subside (Rambam's principles of repentance mention this), 2) A parent must be concerned for all children equally, and 3) Strategic patience can prevent greater tragedies (as emphasized in Talmudic discussions about avoiding danger).