Midrasz do Rodzaju 22:23

“The sun rises and the sun sets, and it hastens to its place where it arises” (Ecclesiastes 1:5).
“The sun rises.” Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana: Don’t we know that “the sun rises and the sun sets”? Rather, to what is it [alluding]? Before the sun of one righteous individual sets, He causes the sun of another righteous individual to rise. The day that Rabbi Akiva died, Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] was born, and they read this verse in his regard: “The sun rises and the sun sets.” The day that Rav Ada bar Ahava died, Rav Hamnuna his son was born, and they read in his regard: “The sun rises and the sun sets.” The day that Rav Hamnuna died, Rabbi Avin his son was born, and they read in his regard: “The sun rises and the sun sets.” The day that Rabbi Avin died, Abba Hoshaya of Teraya was born, and they read in his regard: “The sun rises and the sun sets.” Before the sun of Sarah set, the sun of Rebecca rose. That is what is written: “Betuel begot Rebecca” (Genesis 22:23), and then, “Sarah died in Kiryat Arba” (Genesis 23:2), and it is written: “Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah” (Genesis 24:67).³⁰See Bereshit Rabba 60:16, where this verse is interpreted to mean that Rebecca was a worthy replacement for Sarah. Before the sun of Moses set, the sun of Joshua rose. Before the sun of Joshua set, the sun of Otniel, who is Yabetz, rose. So it is with all of them in each and every generation; that is, “the sun rises and the sun sets.”

7 Rabbi Levi opened [his discourse] in the name of Rabbi Chaninah: "Thus said the Lord your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, I the Lord am your God, instructing (melamed) you for [your] benefit." (Isaiah 48:17). He disciplines you like that goad disciplines that cow. Three names are applied to it (i.e., to a goad), malmad, mardea and darban. Malmad, because it teaches (melamed) the cow to plow, so that [the land] gives life to its owner. Mardea, because it teaches knowledge (moreh daat) to the cow. Darban, because it teaches understanding (binah) to the cow. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, "And is it not that if a man makes a goad for his cow, all the more [should he do] so for his evil impulse that [tries] to remove him from life in the this world and the next. "Guiding you in the way you should go" (Isaiah 48:17): Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Chama beRabbi Chaninah, "[There is a relevant] parable of a son of kings who had a trial in front of his father. His father said to him, 'If you seek to be rendered innocent in front of me in the trial on this day, appoint defender x, and you will be rendered innocent in front of me.' So did the Holy One, blessed be He, say to Israel, 'My children, If you seek to be rendered innocent in front of Me on this day, mention the merit of the forefathers and you will be rendered innocent in front of Me in the trial.' 'The first (literally, one)' (Leviticus 23:24) - that is [a reference to] Avraham, as it is stated (Ezekiel 33:24), 'Avraham was one.' 'A memorial of blowing' - that is [a reference to] Yitschak, as it is stated (Genesis 22:23), 'he saw and behold, a ram.' 'A holy convocation (mikra)' this is [a reference to] Yaakov, as it is stated (Isaiah 48:12), 'Listen to me, Yaakov and Yisrael whom I have called (mekoraee).' 'And when should you mention the merit of the forefathers and be rendered innocent in front of Me in the trial? In the seventh month.'"