Talmud zu Bereschit 20:17

MISHNAH: Even though he did pay, he will not be forgiven⁷⁸The person who injures another cannot obtain mercy in Heaven unless he first has asked forgiveness on earth. unless he asks for forgiveness, as it is said: “Now return the man’s wife since he is a prophet⁷⁹Gen. 20:7. The reference as usual is to the part of the verse which is not quoted: “Let him pray for you that you will live.” This implies that Abraham first had to forgive Avimelekh before the latter obtained Heavenly mercy..” From where that the person asked to forgive shall not be cruel? It is said⁸⁰Gen. 20:17.: “Abraham prayed to the Omnipotent, etc.”

‘In which way should one honour his teacher’, etc.? It has been taught:¹⁹B.M. 86b-87a (Sonc. ed., p. 500). Michael came to bring good tidings to Sarah,²⁰That a son would be born to her. Gabriel to overthrow Sodom, and Raphael to heal Abraham.²¹Of the effects of his circumcision. Some say that Raphael came to bring good tidings to Sarah and to heal,²²Abimelech. as it is stated, And God healed Abimelech,²³Gen. 20, 17. Michael and Gabriel to overthrow Sodom. What is the reason for the first view? [Because it is stated,] And He overthrew those cities.²⁴ibid. XIX, 25, where the verb is singular. And what is the reason for the opinion of the others? [Because it is stated,] And the two angels came to Sodom.²⁵ibid. 1. Why is it that with Abraham [the angels said], So do, as thou hast said,²⁶ibid. XVIII, 5. but with Lot, Nay; but we will abide in the broad place all night?²⁷ibid. XIX, 2. R. Eleazar said: Infer from this that one may display reluctance²⁸By refusing his invitation. towards an inferior but not a superior. The Rabbis taught:²⁹Suk. 52b (Sonc. ed., p. 251), an explanation of the seven shepherds of whom Micah 5, 4. speaks. In the time to come the son of David will be in the middle, Adam, Seth and Methuselah on his right, and Abraham, Jacob and Moses on his left. Why is Isaac omitted? Raba said: Isaac is better than they because to him all Israel declare, For thou art our Father.³⁰Isa. 63, 16. For the allusion, cf. Shab. 89b (Sonc. ed., p. 426). If so, Esau ascended into Paradise.³¹Since he was Isaac’s son. That is why Scripture states, For thou art our Father: children are like their father—as the father did not repudiate the covenant so too the children. And whence do we know this? It is stated, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee; surely thou hast hated thine own blood, therefore blood shall pursue thee.³²Ezek. 35, 6. Ezekiel’s prophecy is directed against Mount Seir, the home of Esau (cf. Gen. 33, 16). Did Esau hate blood? Were not all his deeds connected with the shedding of blood, as it is stated, He is like a lion that is eager to tear in pieces, and like a young lion lurking in secret places?³³Ps. 17, 12. Like is dimyono in the Heb. and is spelt without the waw. Whence do you infer this? Perhaps he was only out to rob? No, since it states dimyeno and not dimyono;³⁴This form of the word is understood as being more closely connected with dam, ‘blood’. so draw this conclusion.