Midras Kejadian 29:31: Midrash Tehillim, Midrash Tanchuma, Devarim Rabbah & Ruth Rabbah

“For God knows the way of the righteous” (Psalms 1:6). This is what scripture said, “God’s eyes are everywhere, watching the bad and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). From where [did Solomon know this]? [From the verse]: “And God saw that Leah was unloved” (Genesis 29:31) [God saw Leah, even when she was feeling particularly unseen.] “But the way of the wicked is doomed [literally lost or destroyed]” (Psalms 1:6). Rabbi Eliyakim said, “The Holy One, blessed be He, destroyed the way of the wicked for the sake of the righteous, that they wouldn’t falter upon it.” Rabbi Elazar said, “Even though it was initially destroyed for the wicked, it was given [back] to them because they toiled at it, as it is said, “At scoffers [God] scoffs” (Proverbs 3:34).” Know that this is so; go out and learn from [the case of] Balaam, the wicked one, when Balak sent for him to curse the Israelites, what did [Balaam] say to him? “Even if Balak would give me a house full of silver and gold” (Numbers 22:18). He went to sleep, and the Holy One, blessed be He, appeared to him in a dream, as it is said, “And God came to Balaam, (Numbers 22:9). He said to him, “Don’t go with them.” Thereupon, Balaam said [to himself], “Because I’m so righteous [God] doesn’t want to bother me [by letting me go to curse the Israelites].” So [Balaam] said [to God], “I can curse [the nation of Israel] from here!” God said to him, “Do not curse the people.” Balaam said to him, “[Does that mean] to say that I should bless them?” God said to him, “We do not need you to bless it, because it is [already] blessed.” Rabbi Tanchuma said, we say to the bee, I want neither your honey nor your sting. Rabbi Berechia said, “When the Holy One, blessed be He, wanted to create mankind, He saw righteous and wicked [decedents] arising from him. He said, “If I create him, behold, the wicked will emerge from him, and if I don’t create him, how will the righteous emerge?” What did the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He separated out the way of the wicked from before His face, and He partnered [with his] attribute of mercy, and He created him. This is what is written, “For God knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed” (Psalms 1:6) [God beheld the prospect of Adam’s righteous decedents and] destroyed [the way of the wicked, so to speak,] from His own [line of sight].” Another interpretation of, “but the way of the wicked is doomed” (Psalms 1:6). You find that [the way of the wicked] was destroyed from Nimrod on behalf of Abraham; and [it was destroyed from] Avimelech on behalf of Isaac; [and from] Esau on behalf of Jacob. That [is what is meant by the Psalm] saying, “For God knows the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked is doomed” (Psalms 1:6). Another interpretation of, “but the way of the wicked is doomed” (Psalms 1:6). For so it is said, “God makes His hand known to His servants [[and He] rages against His enemies]” (Isaiah 66:14). When [does He make His hand known to His servants]? [At the time that] “He rages against His enemies.” Rabbi Yochanan said, “The Holy One, blessed be He, arose to sit in judgement over the righteous and the wicked. He judged the righteous, vindicated them, [and sent them] to the Garden of Eden. He judged the wicked and sentenced them to hell. The wicked say, “You didn’t judge us appropriately. Those He wanted to [vindicate] He vindicated, and those He wanted to [sentence] He sentenced.” And the Holy One, blessed be He, says, “[I had my reasons for finding you guilty, but] I didn’t want to publicize you [sins].” What [then] does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He reads their indictment and they descend to hell.” Rabbi Pinchas said, “Anyone who is confirmed in sin isn’t able to repent, and he will never be forgiven. The Holy One, blessed be He, says to the wicked, ““You ignited the flame of hell.” [As it is said:] “Charcoal for embers and wood for a fire” (Proverbs 26:21), and I will exact punishment for [your infraction] of many laws.”” Rabbi Huna said in the name of Reish Lakish, ““They shall go out and gaze upon the corpses of those who rebel against me, for their worm shall not die” (Isaiah 66:24). This isn’t said of “those who rebelled” but only of those “who rebel;” who are continuing on in their rebellion.”

And the Lord saw that Leah was hated (Gen. 29:31). May our master teach us: May a man pronounce a blessing over the fragrance of spices employed in idolatrous worship? Our masters teach us: One may not pronounce a blessing over the light, the spices, or the fragrance of spices employed in idolatrous worship. If one should pass a spice shop in the market, he is required to offer a blessing, but if the fragrance emanates from an idolatrous service he must not do so. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: Be not misled by idolatrous worship, for it is worthless, as it is said: Eyes have they but they see not … they that make them shall be like unto them (Ps. 115:5, 8).

However, the Holy One, blessed be He, immediately hears the prayer a man whispers in his heart. Whence do we know this? From Hannah, as it is said: Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart (I Sam. 1:13). You may know this also from Rachel and Leah. At first Leah was not considered worthy of marrying anyone but Esau, while Rachel was destined to wed Jacob. Leah would sit at the crossroads inquiring about Esau’s actions, and they would tell her: “Oh, he is a wicked man; he sheds blood and waylays passers-by, he is covered with red hair as a garment and commits every kind of abomination against God.” Upon hearing all of this, she would cry bitterly: “My sister Rachel and I were born of the same womb, yet Rachel is to marry the righteous man and I the wicked Esau.” She wept and fasted until her sight became weak. Hence it is written: And Leah’s eyes were weak (Gen. 29:17). And the Lord saw that Leah was hated (ibid., v. 31). This verse indicates that Esau’s actions were hateful to her. However, when Rachel learned that she was to marry Jacob she was elated and became arrogant. Once they both were married to Jacob, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: She cried, and fasted, and despised Esau’s behavior, and prayed to me. It would be unjust to keep her from the righteous one. Indeed I will let her bear sons first. Thus it is said: And the Lord saw that Leah was hated.