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Genesis 38:7 - Wickedness brings divine justice.

Genesis 38:7 - בראשית 38:7

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי עֵר בְּכוֹר יְהוּדָה רַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה וַיְמִתֵהוּ יְהוָה׃

English Translation

And ῾Er, Yehuda’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him.

Transliteration

Vayehi er bechor Yehuda ra be'einei Adonai vayemitehu Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֗י עֵ֚ר בְּכ֣וֹר יְהוּדָ֔ה רַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיְמִתֵ֖הוּ יְהֹוָֽה׃
וַיְהִ֗י עֵ֚ר בְּכ֣וֹר יְהוּדָ֔ה רַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיְמִתֵ֖הוּ יְהֹוָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse

The verse states: "And Er, Yehuda’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him." (Bereishit 38:7). This brief passage raises questions about the nature of Er's wickedness and the severity of his punishment.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi, citing the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 85:4), explains that Er was concerned that his wife Tamar would become pregnant and her beauty would be diminished. Therefore, he practiced hashchatat zera (wasting seed) to prevent conception. This was considered a grave sin, as it violated the mitzvah of peru u'revu (be fruitful and multiply). Hashem judged him accordingly.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 21:18) discusses the severity of wasting seed, classifying it as a sin punishable by karet (spiritual excision). This aligns with the punishment described in the verse, as Hashem directly intervened to take Er's life due to his transgression.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeshev 8) adds that Er's actions were particularly egregious because he was the firstborn of Yehuda, who was destined to be a leader among the tribes. His behavior set a harmful example.
  • Another Midrash (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 38) suggests that Er's sin was not only personal but also a rejection of the divine plan for the continuation of the Messianic line through Yehuda's descendants.

Moral Lessons

The verse teaches the importance of fulfilling one's marital obligations and the gravity of interfering with procreation. It also underscores that leadership roles (as implied by Er being Yehuda's firstborn) carry greater responsibility, and wrongdoing by leaders is judged more severely.

Additional Commentators

The Kli Yakar (Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz) notes that Er's name (עֵר) means "awake," yet his actions demonstrated spiritual blindness. His death served as a warning against hypocrisy—being outwardly righteous while committing hidden sins.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yevamot 34b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the laws of levirate marriage (yibbum) and the death of Er, Judah's firstborn son, as part of the narrative that leads to the story of Tamar and Judah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Er considered wicked in the eyes of Hashem?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 85:4), Er was wicked because he intentionally prevented his wife Tamar from conceiving, as he was concerned that pregnancy would diminish her beauty. This selfish act was against the mitzvah of procreation (peru u'revu) and showed a lack of concern for fulfilling Hashem's will.
Q: Why did Hashem punish Er with death instead of giving him a chance to repent?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 92b) explains that sometimes Hashem takes the life of a wicked person prematurely to prevent them from causing further harm or to spare them from accumulating more sins. Additionally, the Midrash suggests that Er's actions were so severe that they warranted immediate punishment as a lesson to others.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the story of Er in Genesis 38:7?
A: This verse teaches us the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities, especially the mitzvah of building a family. It also reminds us that selfishness and going against Hashem's will have serious consequences. The Rambam (Hilchos Ishus 15:2) emphasizes the importance of marriage and procreation as fundamental Jewish values.
Q: How does this verse relate to the broader story of Yehuda and Tamar?
A: This verse sets the stage for the subsequent events with Tamar, which ultimately lead to the lineage of King David and Mashiach. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 85:1) highlights how even difficult events are part of Hashem's plan for the Jewish people's future redemption.
Q: Why is this story included in the Torah if it seems negative?
A: The Torah includes this story to teach important moral lessons and to show the consequences of wrongdoing. Additionally, as Rashi explains (Genesis 38:1), these events are recorded because they are ultimately connected to the lineage of Mashiach. The Talmud (Pesachim 119a) teaches that sometimes difficult stories contain hidden messages about teshuvah (repentance) and divine providence.