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Hebrew Text
וַיְהִי בִּשְׁכֹּן יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָרֶץ הַהִוא וַיֵּלֶךְ רְאוּבֵן וַיִּשְׁכַּב אֶת־בִּלְהָה פִּילֶגֶשׁ אָבִיו וַיִּשְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּהְיוּ בְנֵי־יַעֲקֹב שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר׃
English Translation
And it came to pass, when Yisra᾽el dwelt in that land, that Re᾽uven went and lay with Bilha his father’s concubine: and Yisra᾽el heard of it. Now the sons of Ya῾aqov were twelve:
Transliteration
Vayehi bishkon Yisrael ba'aretz hahi vayeilekh Re'uven vayishkav et-Bilhah pilegesh aviv vayishma Yisrael vayihyu venei-Ya'akov shneim asar.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיְהִ֗י בִּשְׁכֹּ֤ן יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַהִ֔וא וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ רְאוּבֵ֗֔ן וַיִּשְׁכַּ֕ב֙ אֶת־בִּלְהָ֖ה֙ פִּילֶ֣גֶשׁ אָבִ֑֔יו וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑͏ֽל׃ {פ}
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יַעֲקֹ֖ב שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָֽׂר׃
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יַעֲקֹ֖ב שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָֽׂר׃
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Shabbat 55b
The Talmud discusses Reuben's sin with Bilhah and debates whether he actually committed the act or if the verse is to be understood differently, suggesting he merely disturbed his father's bed.
📖 Sanhedrin 82a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the severity of Reuben's sin and its implications for his status among the tribes of Israel.
The Incident of Reuven and Bilhah
The verse (Bereshit 35:22) describes an incident where Reuven, Yaakov's firstborn, "lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine." This act appears to be a severe transgression, yet the Torah does not elaborate on the consequences at this point. Traditional commentaries offer several interpretations:
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (based on Bereshit Rabbah 98:4 and Shabbat 55b) explains that Reuven did not actually commit adultery with Bilhah. Rather, he rearranged his father's bed from Bilhah's tent to Leah's tent (his mother) after Rachel's death. This was an act of protest against Yaakov's preferential treatment of Rachel's maidservant (Bilhah) over Leah. Nevertheless, the Torah describes it in severe terms because Reuven interfered in his father's personal matters, which was inappropriate for a son.
The Ramban's Perspective
The Ramban (Nachmanides) disagrees with Rashi and argues that Reuven indeed sinned with Bilhah, as the plain meaning of the text suggests. However, he notes that this sin was later atoned for, as Reuven demonstrated repentance (as seen in his later actions, such as saving Yosef). The Ramban emphasizes that even great individuals can falter but can also achieve teshuvah (repentance).
Midrashic Interpretations
Midrash Bereshit Rabbah (98:4) offers additional insights:
Consequences and Later References
Though the verse does not immediately state punishment, Yaakov later rebukes Reuven on his deathbed (Bereshit 49:4), saying, "Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch." This indicates that the incident had lasting repercussions on Reuven’s leadership status.
Moral Lessons