כִּֽי־גָ֤דוֹל מָרְדֳּכַי֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְשָׁמְע֖וֹ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּכָל־הַמְּדִינ֑וֹת כִּֽי־הָאִ֥ישׁ מָרְדֳּכַ֖י הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְגָדֽוֹל׃ (פ)
Sebab Mordekhai telah menjadi orang besar di istana raja, dan kemasyhurannya tersebar ke seluruh daerah, karena Mordekhai itu makin lama makin besar.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near and stand it before Aaron the priest, and they shall serve him” (Numbers 3:5–6).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
Vayikra Rabbah
Another matter, “I will remember My covenant with Jacob” – that is what is written: “You transported a grapevine from Egypt” (Psalms 80:9). Just as this grapevine, one does not plant it on ground with large stones, but rather, one searches the land beneath it [and removes the stones], and only then plants it, so, “You drove out the nations and planted it” (Psalms 80:9).4Only after removing the Canaanite nations from the Land of Israel did God plant Israel there.
Just as this grapevine, the more that you clear from beneath it, [the more] it improves, so, Israel, You cleared all the kings from before them, and then: “[You cleared space for it], and it took root and filled the land” (Psalms 80:10).
Just as this grapevine, one does not plant it in a disorderly fashion, but rather, in rows, so Israel is aligned according to their banners. That is what is written: “Each according to his banner, with the insignias of their patrilineal houses” (Numbers 2:2).
Just as this grapevine is lower than all the trees but dominates all the trees,5It is considered more important than other trees. Alternatively, it climbs on whatever is around, including other trees (Matnot Kehuna). At times, one even uses other trees to create a frame on which the vine should grow (Etz Yosef). the same is true of Israel; they appear as though they are humble in this world, but in the future, they are destined to take possession from one end of the world to the other.
Just as this grapevine, one branch emerges from it and conquers several trees, so, Israel, one righteous person emerges from them and dominates from one end of the world to the other. That is what is written: “Joseph was the ruler” (Genesis 42:6); “The Lord was with Joshua, [his fame was throughout the land]” (Joshua 6:27); “David’s renown circulated in all lands” (I Chronicles 14:17); “Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms” (I Kings 5:1); “For Mordekhai was great in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces” (Esther 9:4).
Just as this grapevine, its leaves cover the grape clusters,6They protect them from the elements. so, Israel, the ignoramuses among them cover the Torah scholars.7They perform labor and provide for the needs of the Torah scholars.
Just as on this grapevine, there are large and small clusters, and one that is larger than another appears as though it is lower than the other, so, Israel, every one of them who toils in Torah and is greater than another in Torah, appears lower than the other.8The greater a person is in Torah, the greater his humility.
Just as this grapevine requires three blessings,9After eating grapes or drinking wine, one recites a blessing that is an abridged form of the first three blessings of Grace after Meals. so, Israel is blessed with three blessings each day: “May the Lord bless you”; “may the Lord illuminate”; “may the Lord lift” (Numbers 6:24–26).
Just as this grapevine there are grapes on it and there are raisins on it, so, Israel, there are, in their midst, masters of Bible, masters of Mishna, masters of Talmud, masters of aggada.
Just as this grapevine, there is wine in it and there is vinegar in it, this requires a blessing and that requires a blessing, so, Israel is obligated to recite a blessing over the good and over the bad; over the good, blessed…who is good and does good; over the bad, blessed…the true Judge.
Just as this wine, anyone who drinks from it, his face shines and anyone who does not drink of it, his teeth become blunt,10He gnashes his teeth in frustration when he sees others enjoying wine (Maharzu). so, Israel, anyone who comes and aligns with them will be rewarded through them.
Just as this grapevine, initially it is trampled underfoot and then it goes onto the table of kings, so Israel appears as though they are loathsome in this world, as it is written: “I have become a laughingstock to all my people, their song all day” (Lamentations 3:14), but in the future: “The Lord your God will place you supreme” (Deuteronomy 28:1), as it is written: “Kings will be your caregivers, and their princesses, your wet nurses” (Isaiah 49:23).
Just as this grapevine improves with each and every transplanting, so, Israel becomes more numerous under each kingdom.
Just as this grapevine is trellised on great cedars, the same is true of Israel, as it is stated: “The mountains were covered with its shade, its branches like cedars of the Almighty” (Psalms 80:11).
Just as this grapevine rests upon a reed, so, Israel rests due to the merit of the Torah that is written with a reed.
Just as this grapevine, its guard stands above it, so, Israel, their Protector is above, as it is stated: “Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps” (Psalms 121:4).
Just as this grapevine rests upon dry branches, but it is moist, so Israel rests due to the merit of their patriarchs, even though they are asleep. That is what is written: “I will remember My covenant with Jacob…” (Leviticus 26:42).
Just as this grapevine, the more that you clear from beneath it, [the more] it improves, so, Israel, You cleared all the kings from before them, and then: “[You cleared space for it], and it took root and filled the land” (Psalms 80:10).
Just as this grapevine, one does not plant it in a disorderly fashion, but rather, in rows, so Israel is aligned according to their banners. That is what is written: “Each according to his banner, with the insignias of their patrilineal houses” (Numbers 2:2).
Just as this grapevine is lower than all the trees but dominates all the trees,5It is considered more important than other trees. Alternatively, it climbs on whatever is around, including other trees (Matnot Kehuna). At times, one even uses other trees to create a frame on which the vine should grow (Etz Yosef). the same is true of Israel; they appear as though they are humble in this world, but in the future, they are destined to take possession from one end of the world to the other.
Just as this grapevine, one branch emerges from it and conquers several trees, so, Israel, one righteous person emerges from them and dominates from one end of the world to the other. That is what is written: “Joseph was the ruler” (Genesis 42:6); “The Lord was with Joshua, [his fame was throughout the land]” (Joshua 6:27); “David’s renown circulated in all lands” (I Chronicles 14:17); “Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms” (I Kings 5:1); “For Mordekhai was great in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces” (Esther 9:4).
Just as this grapevine, its leaves cover the grape clusters,6They protect them from the elements. so, Israel, the ignoramuses among them cover the Torah scholars.7They perform labor and provide for the needs of the Torah scholars.
Just as on this grapevine, there are large and small clusters, and one that is larger than another appears as though it is lower than the other, so, Israel, every one of them who toils in Torah and is greater than another in Torah, appears lower than the other.8The greater a person is in Torah, the greater his humility.
Just as this grapevine requires three blessings,9After eating grapes or drinking wine, one recites a blessing that is an abridged form of the first three blessings of Grace after Meals. so, Israel is blessed with three blessings each day: “May the Lord bless you”; “may the Lord illuminate”; “may the Lord lift” (Numbers 6:24–26).
Just as this grapevine there are grapes on it and there are raisins on it, so, Israel, there are, in their midst, masters of Bible, masters of Mishna, masters of Talmud, masters of aggada.
Just as this grapevine, there is wine in it and there is vinegar in it, this requires a blessing and that requires a blessing, so, Israel is obligated to recite a blessing over the good and over the bad; over the good, blessed…who is good and does good; over the bad, blessed…the true Judge.
Just as this wine, anyone who drinks from it, his face shines and anyone who does not drink of it, his teeth become blunt,10He gnashes his teeth in frustration when he sees others enjoying wine (Maharzu). so, Israel, anyone who comes and aligns with them will be rewarded through them.
Just as this grapevine, initially it is trampled underfoot and then it goes onto the table of kings, so Israel appears as though they are loathsome in this world, as it is written: “I have become a laughingstock to all my people, their song all day” (Lamentations 3:14), but in the future: “The Lord your God will place you supreme” (Deuteronomy 28:1), as it is written: “Kings will be your caregivers, and their princesses, your wet nurses” (Isaiah 49:23).
Just as this grapevine improves with each and every transplanting, so, Israel becomes more numerous under each kingdom.
Just as this grapevine is trellised on great cedars, the same is true of Israel, as it is stated: “The mountains were covered with its shade, its branches like cedars of the Almighty” (Psalms 80:11).
Just as this grapevine rests upon a reed, so, Israel rests due to the merit of the Torah that is written with a reed.
Just as this grapevine, its guard stands above it, so, Israel, their Protector is above, as it is stated: “Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps” (Psalms 121:4).
Just as this grapevine rests upon dry branches, but it is moist, so Israel rests due to the merit of their patriarchs, even though they are asleep. That is what is written: “I will remember My covenant with Jacob…” (Leviticus 26:42).
Bereshit Rabbah
“I will make you a great nation, I will bless you [vaavarekhekha], I will render your name great, and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).
“I will make you a great nation” – he said to Him: ‘Did you not [already] produce seventy nations from Noah?’ He said to him: ‘That nation in whose regard it is written: “For who is a great nation [to whom God is so close]?” (Deuteronomy 4:7), I will produce from you.’
Rabbi Berekhya said: “I will give you” and “I will place you” are not written here, but rather, “I will make you [ve’e’eshkha]” – from when I make you into a new creation,21This could be referring to circumcision, or to the change of Abram’s name to Abraham. you will procreate.
Rabbi Levi bar Ḥavyat and Rabbi Abba son of Rabbi Ḥiyya said: Three “greatnesses”22“I will make you a great nation” counts as two “greatnesses,” as “I will make you” is considered an expression of greatness (see I Samuel 12:6) and the third is “I will render your name great.” and four “blessings” are written here.23Two in 12:2 and two in 12:3. He apprised him that there would be three patriarchs and four matriarchs.
Rabbi Ḥiyya said: Because travel causes three results: it minimizes procreation, minimizes resources for expenditures, and minimizes one’s reputation.24God told Abraham that He would see to it that he would not suffer these three deprivations. It minimizes procreation – “I will make you a great nation,” minimizes resources for expenditures – “I will bless you,” minimizes one’s reputation – “I will render your name great.” As people say: From house to house – a robe; from place to place – a soul.25When one moves from one house to another in the same neighborhood, one will always find something, such as a robe, missing. When moving to a different place, one loses part of one’s very soul. However, you will lose neither soul nor property.
Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Ḥelbo: It26“I will make you a great nation.” means a coin with his image went out into the world.
There are four people whose images appeared on coins that circulated in the world. Abraham – “I will make you a great nation” – his image circulated on coins. What was the image on his coins? It was an elderly man and an elderly woman on one side,27Representing Abraham and Sarah. and a young man and a maiden on the other side.28Representing the fact that Abraham and Sarah became rejuvenated when they bore Isaac. Joshua – “The Lord was with Joshua; his fame was throughout the land” (Joshua 6:27) – his image circulated on coins in the world. What was it? It was a bull on one side and an aurochs on the other side, after: “A firstborn bull is his majesty, and his horns are the horns of an aurochs” (Deuteronomy 33:17).29Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, and this verse was stated regarding Ephraim. David – “David’s renown circulated in all lands” (I Chronicles 14:17) – his image circulated on coins in the world. What was the image on his coin? It was a [shepherd’s] staff and satchel on one side, and a tower on the other side, after: “Your neck is like the tower of David” (Song of Songs 4:4). Mordekhai – “For Mordekhai was great in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces” (Esther 9:4) – his image circulated on coins. What was the image on his coin? It was sackcloth and ashes on one side, and a golden crown on the other side.
Rabbi Yudan said: [God said to Abraham:] ‘I will institute a blessing for you in the eighteen benedictions,30The Amida prayer. but you do not know whether Mine precedes yours, or whether yours takes precedence.’ Rabbi Aḥuya said in the name of Rabbi Ze’eira: Yours precedes Mine, when one recites first: Shield of Abraham, and only then, He revives the dead.
Rabbi Abahu said: “Look now heavenward [hashamayim]” is not written here, but rather, “look now hashamaima” (Genesis 15:5).31With an added heh. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘I created the world with the letter heh. I will add the letter heh to your name and then you will procreate.’32This is an interpretation of “I will render your name great” – the name was rendered great by adding a letter to it.
Rabbi Yudan said: Your letters will have the numerical value of “I will bless you [avarekhekha]”33This word ends with a kaf in the Torah, but the midrash calculates its numerical value based on its ending with the letters kaf heh. – two hundred and forty-eight.
Rabbi Levi said: No person [so much as] priced a cow from Abraham34In order to purchase it. before he was blessed, nor did any person price a cow for him35In order to sell it to Abraham. until he was blessed by Abraham.
How so?36In what additional way was Abraham a source of blessing? Abraham would pray for barren women and they would be remembered,37God would remember them and grant them a child. and for the ill, and they would gain relief. Rav Huna said: It was not only when Abraham would go to the ill person, but even if the ill person would merely see him, he would gain relief.
Rabbi Ḥanina said: Even ships that set sail in the Great Sea were saved due to the merit of Abraham. But were they not laden with libation wine?38Wine used for idol worship. Why should Abraham want to bless such cargo? This is astonishing. The explanation is that [there is a saying:] Vinegar lowers the price of wine.39When there is much vinegar on the market, it lowers the price of wine, even though more people buy wine than vinegar. Wherever the wine of idol worshippers is available, the wine of Jews is sold at lower prices.40Even though libation wine is forbidden for Jews, when it is sold in the market, it affects the price of all wine, including kosher wine – which makes it more affordable for Jews.
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: He [God] did this for Job, as well, as it is stated: “You blessed his handiwork” (Job 1:10). A person never took a penny41As charity. from Job and needed to take from him a second time.
“And you shall be a blessing [berakha]” – read it as “a pool [berekha].” Just as a pool purifies the impure, so, you draw the distant near and purify them for their Father who is in Heaven.
Rabbi Berekhya said: “I will bless you” is already written; why does the verse state [further]: “And you shall be a blessing”? The explanation is that He said to him: ‘Until this point I was required to bless My world, from now on, the blessings are passed to you; whomever you deem worthy to bless, bless him.’
“I will make you a great nation” – he said to Him: ‘Did you not [already] produce seventy nations from Noah?’ He said to him: ‘That nation in whose regard it is written: “For who is a great nation [to whom God is so close]?” (Deuteronomy 4:7), I will produce from you.’
Rabbi Berekhya said: “I will give you” and “I will place you” are not written here, but rather, “I will make you [ve’e’eshkha]” – from when I make you into a new creation,21This could be referring to circumcision, or to the change of Abram’s name to Abraham. you will procreate.
Rabbi Levi bar Ḥavyat and Rabbi Abba son of Rabbi Ḥiyya said: Three “greatnesses”22“I will make you a great nation” counts as two “greatnesses,” as “I will make you” is considered an expression of greatness (see I Samuel 12:6) and the third is “I will render your name great.” and four “blessings” are written here.23Two in 12:2 and two in 12:3. He apprised him that there would be three patriarchs and four matriarchs.
Rabbi Ḥiyya said: Because travel causes three results: it minimizes procreation, minimizes resources for expenditures, and minimizes one’s reputation.24God told Abraham that He would see to it that he would not suffer these three deprivations. It minimizes procreation – “I will make you a great nation,” minimizes resources for expenditures – “I will bless you,” minimizes one’s reputation – “I will render your name great.” As people say: From house to house – a robe; from place to place – a soul.25When one moves from one house to another in the same neighborhood, one will always find something, such as a robe, missing. When moving to a different place, one loses part of one’s very soul. However, you will lose neither soul nor property.
Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Ḥelbo: It26“I will make you a great nation.” means a coin with his image went out into the world.
There are four people whose images appeared on coins that circulated in the world. Abraham – “I will make you a great nation” – his image circulated on coins. What was the image on his coins? It was an elderly man and an elderly woman on one side,27Representing Abraham and Sarah. and a young man and a maiden on the other side.28Representing the fact that Abraham and Sarah became rejuvenated when they bore Isaac. Joshua – “The Lord was with Joshua; his fame was throughout the land” (Joshua 6:27) – his image circulated on coins in the world. What was it? It was a bull on one side and an aurochs on the other side, after: “A firstborn bull is his majesty, and his horns are the horns of an aurochs” (Deuteronomy 33:17).29Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, and this verse was stated regarding Ephraim. David – “David’s renown circulated in all lands” (I Chronicles 14:17) – his image circulated on coins in the world. What was the image on his coin? It was a [shepherd’s] staff and satchel on one side, and a tower on the other side, after: “Your neck is like the tower of David” (Song of Songs 4:4). Mordekhai – “For Mordekhai was great in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces” (Esther 9:4) – his image circulated on coins. What was the image on his coin? It was sackcloth and ashes on one side, and a golden crown on the other side.
Rabbi Yudan said: [God said to Abraham:] ‘I will institute a blessing for you in the eighteen benedictions,30The Amida prayer. but you do not know whether Mine precedes yours, or whether yours takes precedence.’ Rabbi Aḥuya said in the name of Rabbi Ze’eira: Yours precedes Mine, when one recites first: Shield of Abraham, and only then, He revives the dead.
Rabbi Abahu said: “Look now heavenward [hashamayim]” is not written here, but rather, “look now hashamaima” (Genesis 15:5).31With an added heh. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘I created the world with the letter heh. I will add the letter heh to your name and then you will procreate.’32This is an interpretation of “I will render your name great” – the name was rendered great by adding a letter to it.
Rabbi Yudan said: Your letters will have the numerical value of “I will bless you [avarekhekha]”33This word ends with a kaf in the Torah, but the midrash calculates its numerical value based on its ending with the letters kaf heh. – two hundred and forty-eight.
Rabbi Levi said: No person [so much as] priced a cow from Abraham34In order to purchase it. before he was blessed, nor did any person price a cow for him35In order to sell it to Abraham. until he was blessed by Abraham.
How so?36In what additional way was Abraham a source of blessing? Abraham would pray for barren women and they would be remembered,37God would remember them and grant them a child. and for the ill, and they would gain relief. Rav Huna said: It was not only when Abraham would go to the ill person, but even if the ill person would merely see him, he would gain relief.
Rabbi Ḥanina said: Even ships that set sail in the Great Sea were saved due to the merit of Abraham. But were they not laden with libation wine?38Wine used for idol worship. Why should Abraham want to bless such cargo? This is astonishing. The explanation is that [there is a saying:] Vinegar lowers the price of wine.39When there is much vinegar on the market, it lowers the price of wine, even though more people buy wine than vinegar. Wherever the wine of idol worshippers is available, the wine of Jews is sold at lower prices.40Even though libation wine is forbidden for Jews, when it is sold in the market, it affects the price of all wine, including kosher wine – which makes it more affordable for Jews.
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: He [God] did this for Job, as well, as it is stated: “You blessed his handiwork” (Job 1:10). A person never took a penny41As charity. from Job and needed to take from him a second time.
“And you shall be a blessing [berakha]” – read it as “a pool [berekha].” Just as a pool purifies the impure, so, you draw the distant near and purify them for their Father who is in Heaven.
Rabbi Berekhya said: “I will bless you” is already written; why does the verse state [further]: “And you shall be a blessing”? The explanation is that He said to him: ‘Until this point I was required to bless My world, from now on, the blessings are passed to you; whomever you deem worthy to bless, bless him.’