פירוש על בראשית 33:10

אל נא NAY, I PRAY THEE — Do not, I pray thee, speak to me thus.

FORASMUCH AS I HAVE SEEN THY FACE. Jacob said to him: “Take my present from me because I have seen your face, which to me is as one seeth the sight of an angel, ‘vatirtzeini’ (and thou wast pleased with me), as you indicated by accepting the present,” just as G-d ‘rotzeh’ (taketh pleasure) in them that fear Him,⁸⁰Psalms 147:11. by accepting their offerings and sacrifices. This is similar to the verses: ‘Venirtzah’ (And it shall be favourably accepted) for him;⁸¹Leviticus 1:3. Their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be ‘leratzon’ (acceptable) upon Mine altar,⁸²Isaiah 56:7. this being associated with the expressions: Let him be ‘retzui’ (the favoured) of his brethren,⁸³Deuteronomy 33:24. And the light of Thy countenance, for ‘ratzitham’ (Thou wast favourable to them),⁸⁴Psalms 44:4. For Thy servants ‘ratzu’ (take pleasure) in her stones.⁸⁵Ibid., 102:15. All these forms of ratzah connote desire and pleasure in a matter. But Rashi wrote, “Because you have agreed to pardon my offense. Vatirtzeini, you are reconciled with me.” But I have already said⁸⁶Above, 32:21. that it was not advisable for Jacob to bring iniquity to remembrance.⁸⁷See Ezekiel 21:28.

כראות פני אלוקים, as is the custom when one is granted an audience by the people in high office. The Torah already commanded that when appearing in Jerusalem three times a year, the Israelite fulfilling this commandment must not appear before G’d empty-handed. (Exodus 23,15)