אִם־יוֹלִ֣יד אִ֣ישׁ מֵאָ֡ה וְשָׁנִים֩ רַבּ֨וֹת יִֽחְיֶ֜ה וְרַ֣ב ׀ שֶׁיִּהְי֣וּ יְמֵֽי־שָׁנָ֗יו וְנַפְשׁוֹ֙ לֹא־תִשְׂבַּ֣ע מִן־הַטּוֹבָ֔ה וְגַם־קְבוּרָ֖ה לֹא־הָ֣יְתָה לּ֑וֹ אָמַ֕רְתִּי ט֥וֹב מִמֶּ֖נּוּ הַנָּֽפֶל׃
사람이 비록 일백 자녀를 낳고 또 장수하여 사는 날이 많을지라도 그 심령에 낙이 족하지 못하고 또 그 몸이 매장되지 못하면 나는 이르기를 낙태된 자가 저보다 낫다 하노니
Kohelet Rabbah
Another matter, “a time to be born [and a time to die]” – even the angel of death becomes her prosecutor.3The reference is to a woman in childbirth. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: For three transgressions women die during childbirth…4These are: Failure to observe the laws of menstruation, failure to separate ĥalla from dough, and failure to kindle the Shabbat lamp (Mishna Shabbat 2:6). During a time of danger, such as childbirth, one is more vulnerable to being punished for one’s sins. The same is true of the dangerous circumstances the midrash mentions in the next sentence. and in three circumstances men die: One who is located in a rickety house, one who sets out on the road alone, and one who sets sail in the Mediterranean Sea; the accuser becomes his prosecutor, as Rabbi Levi said: The accuser commonly prosecutes [people found] in three places: One who is located in a rickety house, one who sets out on the road alone, and one who sets sail in the Mediterranean Sea. Rabbi Shimon bar Abba, in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: All roads are in a presumptive state of danger. When Rabbi Yannai would depart on a highway he would leave instructions for his household.5Instructions on what to do in case he died while on his journey. Rabbi Ḥelbo and Rabbi Shimon bar Abba said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: All who are ill are in a presumptive state of danger. Rabbi Natan Kohen, brother of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, was setting out to sea. He said to his brother: ‘Pray for me.’ [His brother] said to him: ‘How can I pray for you? From when you bind your lulav, moor your ship.6From Sukkot until the summer, do not set sail. If you entered the synagogue and heard the voice of the congregation praying for rain, do not rely on my prayer.’7The prayer for rain is recited between Sukkot and Passover. Rainy weather brings with it dangerous sailing conditions.
Rabbi Yehoshua son of Rabbi Tanḥum ben Rabbi Ḥiyya, of the Agon village, was in Asia Minor. He sought to set sail between Sukkot and Hanukkah. A certain noblewoman said to him: ‘Is this the period to set sail?’ But he did not heed her words. He saw his father in a dream saying: ‘My son will be without a grave, “neither did he have a burial”’ (Ecclesiastes 6:3). He did not heed the words of this one or to the words of that one, and so it befell him.
Rabbi Yehoshua son of Rabbi Tanḥum ben Rabbi Ḥiyya, of the Agon village, was in Asia Minor. He sought to set sail between Sukkot and Hanukkah. A certain noblewoman said to him: ‘Is this the period to set sail?’ But he did not heed her words. He saw his father in a dream saying: ‘My son will be without a grave, “neither did he have a burial”’ (Ecclesiastes 6:3). He did not heed the words of this one or to the words of that one, and so it befell him.
Bereshit Rabbah
“God set them in the firmament of the heavens to illuminate upon the earth” (Genesis 1:17).
“God set them in the firmament of the heavens” – Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Three items were given as a gift [matana] to the world: The Torah, the lights, and the rains. The Torah, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “He gave [vayiten] to Moses [the two tablets of Testimony]” (Exodus 31:18). The lights, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “God set [vayiten] them in the firmament of the heavens.” The rains, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “I will provide [venatati] your rains in their seasons” (Leviticus 26:4). Rabbi Azarya says in the name of Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon: Peace, as well, as it is stated: “I will grant [venatati] peace in the land” (Leviticus 26:6). Rabbi Yehoshua ben Rabbi Neḥemya said: Salvation, as well, as it is stated: “You have given [vatiten] me the shield of Your salvation” (Psalms 18:36). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: The Land of Israel, as well, as it is stated: “He gave [vayiten] them the lands of the nations…” (Psalms 105:44). Some say, vengeance against Edom, as well, as it is stated: “I will set [venatati] My vengeance upon Edom…” (Ezekiel 25:14). The Rabbis say: Mercy, as well, as it is stated: “He situated [vayiten] them for mercy before their captors” (Psalms 106:46).
Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Maryon says: Setting sail in the Great Sea, as well, as it is stated: “So said the Lord, who makes [noten] a way in the sea…” (Isaiah 43:16). The Rabbis say: “Who makes a way in the sea” – from Shavuot until Sukkot;16Summertime, when the seas are generally calm. “and a path in mighty waters” (Isaiah 43:16) – from Sukkot until Hanukkah.17Autumn, when the seas consist of “mighty waters.” Rabbi Natan, son of the brother of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, was setting out to sea. He said to his brother: ‘Pray for me.’ He said to him: ‘What should I pray for you? From when you bind up your lulav, bind up your feet.18Do not travel after Sukkot. If you enter a synagogue and hear them praying for rain,19A prayer that is recited from Sukkot onwards. do not rely on my prayer.’
Rabbi Yehoshua son of Rabbi Tanḥuma ben Rabbi Ḥiyya of Kefar Ḥanun was in Asia Minor. He wanted to set sail [after Sukkot]. A noblewoman said to him: ‘Are you setting sail on these days?’ She said this in astonishment. His father appeared to him in a dream. He said to him: ‘My son will go without burial, as it is stated: “Moreover, he has no burial”’ (Ecclesiastes 6:3). He heeded neither the words of this one nor the words of that one, and so it befell him.
“God set them in the firmament of the heavens” – Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Three items were given as a gift [matana] to the world: The Torah, the lights, and the rains. The Torah, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “He gave [vayiten] to Moses [the two tablets of Testimony]” (Exodus 31:18). The lights, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “God set [vayiten] them in the firmament of the heavens.” The rains, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “I will provide [venatati] your rains in their seasons” (Leviticus 26:4). Rabbi Azarya says in the name of Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon: Peace, as well, as it is stated: “I will grant [venatati] peace in the land” (Leviticus 26:6). Rabbi Yehoshua ben Rabbi Neḥemya said: Salvation, as well, as it is stated: “You have given [vatiten] me the shield of Your salvation” (Psalms 18:36). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: The Land of Israel, as well, as it is stated: “He gave [vayiten] them the lands of the nations…” (Psalms 105:44). Some say, vengeance against Edom, as well, as it is stated: “I will set [venatati] My vengeance upon Edom…” (Ezekiel 25:14). The Rabbis say: Mercy, as well, as it is stated: “He situated [vayiten] them for mercy before their captors” (Psalms 106:46).
Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Maryon says: Setting sail in the Great Sea, as well, as it is stated: “So said the Lord, who makes [noten] a way in the sea…” (Isaiah 43:16). The Rabbis say: “Who makes a way in the sea” – from Shavuot until Sukkot;16Summertime, when the seas are generally calm. “and a path in mighty waters” (Isaiah 43:16) – from Sukkot until Hanukkah.17Autumn, when the seas consist of “mighty waters.” Rabbi Natan, son of the brother of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, was setting out to sea. He said to his brother: ‘Pray for me.’ He said to him: ‘What should I pray for you? From when you bind up your lulav, bind up your feet.18Do not travel after Sukkot. If you enter a synagogue and hear them praying for rain,19A prayer that is recited from Sukkot onwards. do not rely on my prayer.’
Rabbi Yehoshua son of Rabbi Tanḥuma ben Rabbi Ḥiyya of Kefar Ḥanun was in Asia Minor. He wanted to set sail [after Sukkot]. A noblewoman said to him: ‘Are you setting sail on these days?’ She said this in astonishment. His father appeared to him in a dream. He said to him: ‘My son will go without burial, as it is stated: “Moreover, he has no burial”’ (Ecclesiastes 6:3). He heeded neither the words of this one nor the words of that one, and so it befell him.
Midrash Tanchuma
And he knoweth not that want shall come upon him (Prov. 28:22). What came upon him? A fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth (Gen. 4:12). Wherever he went, the Holy One, blessed be He, brought evil spirits upon him. They beat him and pursued him until they drove him from the world. Thus Solomon proclaimed: If a man beget a hundred children and live many years … but his soul have not enough of good, and moreover he have no burial (Eccles. 6:3). Similarly, whoever lends money to his friend on interest will ultimately require help from mankind, as it is said: And he knoweth not that want shall come upon him (Prov. 28:22).