Komentarz do Rodzaju 30:41

המקשרות THE STRONGER—Explain it as the Targum renders it: הבכירות the early-bearing sheep; but I have no evidence in the Scripture (i.e. I have no other example of the use of this word) to prove that this is its meaning. Menachem classifies it under the same root as (2 Samuel 15:31) “Ahitophel is among the conspirators (בקשרים)”, and as (2 Samuel 15:12) “And the conspiracy (הקשר) was strong” — so that the meaning would be those sheep that banded themselves together (mated) in order to accelerate their pregnancy (i.e. in order that they might become בכירות, early-bearing sheep).

THE FLOCKS ‘HAMEKUSHAROTH.’ The correct interpretation of this expression appears to me to be that they are the flocks in which the males follow the females at all times, never leaving them due to their abundant desire, as in the expression, Seeing that his soul is ‘keshurah’ (bound up) with the lad’s soul.¹⁷⁰Further, 44:30. This is also found in the language of our Sages: “a swine karuch (clinging) to a ewe;”¹⁷¹Bechoroth 24a. “clinging to her.”¹⁷²Kiddushin 79b. And the offspring born at that time are called hakeshurim after the name of their father.
But many authorities say¹⁷³P’sikta Zutrata on this verse. that keshurim are “the strong ones” whose limbs are firmly attached to each other with a strong tie, as this is the basis of health, while atuphim¹⁶⁵Verse 42 here. are “the weak ones” whose soul ‘tithataph’ (fainted) in them,¹⁷⁴Psalms 107:5. and who have no desire, as in the expression, ‘ha’atuphim’ (that faint) for hunger.¹⁷⁵Lamentations 2:19. Onkelos translated hamekusharoth as the early-bearing sheep, and atuphim as the late-bearing ones, for such is the fact: [the early-bearing sheep are the stronger ones, and the late-bearing ones are weaker].

המקושרות, during the month of Tishrey.