וְ֠עַתָּה אִם־יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם עֹשִׂ֜ים חֶ֧סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֕א הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֔י וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה עַל־יָמִ֖ין א֥וֹ עַל־שְׂמֹֽאל׃
Et maintenant, si vous voulez agir avec affection et justice envers mon maître, dites-le moi; sinon, dites-le moi, afin que je me dirige à droite ou à gauche."
Bereshit Rabbah
“Food was placed before him to eat, and he said: I will not eat until I have spoken my words. He said: Speak” (Genesis 24:33).
“He said: I am Abraham's servant” (Genesis 24:34).
“Food was placed before him to eat…He said: I am Abraham's servant” – Rabbi Yitzḥak said: If you possess some uncomplimentary trait, say it first.
“Now, if you will perform kindness and truth with my master, tell me, and if not, tell me, and I will turn to the right or to the left” (Genesis 24:49).
“Now, if you will perform kindness and truth with my master, tell me…and I will turn right or left.” “Right” – this refers to Ishmael; “left” – this refers to Lot, just as it says: “[Abram said to Lot: …separate yourself from me.] If to the left, I will go right, and if to the right, I will go left” (Genesis 13:8–9).
“He said: I am Abraham's servant” (Genesis 24:34).
“Food was placed before him to eat…He said: I am Abraham's servant” – Rabbi Yitzḥak said: If you possess some uncomplimentary trait, say it first.
“Now, if you will perform kindness and truth with my master, tell me, and if not, tell me, and I will turn to the right or to the left” (Genesis 24:49).
“Now, if you will perform kindness and truth with my master, tell me…and I will turn right or left.” “Right” – this refers to Ishmael; “left” – this refers to Lot, just as it says: “[Abram said to Lot: …separate yourself from me.] If to the left, I will go right, and if to the right, I will go left” (Genesis 13:8–9).