reuben and bilhah

window.location.replace(""); Rather, there is a “loud silence,” quite literally, a gap in the text. 9--15, where the same incident is narrated. And she lamented because of this thing exceedingly, and did not tell it to any one. Now in Gen 49, as explained by the Chronicler, Jacob settles the old score by depriving Reuben of his due as first-born. But Reuben defiled his father’s bed, by being intimate with Bilhah, his father’s concubine. Because of his transgression, Reuben lost … And as for any man who uncovereth his father's skirt his deed is wicked exceedingly, for he is abominable before the Lord. The Testament of Reuben is written in the form of a farewell address, like Jacob’s blessings in Genesis 49, and Moses’ blessings in Deuteronomy 33, and also David’s parting words in this week’s haftarah. 12. Earlier, we were told that Jacob heard of Reuben’s transgression, but not of any action. 73-82. Some might read the Talmud as suggesting that pious Jews ought to tell a single simplistic story of Reuben’s (non-)deed, and to consider this story to be what “really” happened in the Bible—even though it is far from the biblical account itself. How should we retell this story to our children, if we can’t determine “what really happened”? [9] It certainly indicates a very engaged attitude towards the biblical text. near Isaac his father and Rebecca his mother. 10. 65-94, available here. (Ge 30:3-8; 35:25; 1Ch 7:13) When Jacob returned to the land of Canaan, Bilhah, together with her children, was personally introduced to Jacob’s twin brother Esau. James Kugel terms this exuberance “overkill”. Launched Shavuot 5773 / 2013 | Copyright © Project TABS, All Rights Reserved. And Jacob did not approach her again because Reuben had defiled her. How did his father react to hearing about this? Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. Bilhah is said to be buried in the Tomb of the Matriarchs in Tiberias. In printed versions, the Hebrew of this verse looks like this: וַיְהִ֗י בִּשְׁכֹּ֤ן יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַהִ֔וא וַיֵּ֣לֶך… The text reads: The above NJPS translation is fairly neutral in tone (cf. The account in chapter 33 of Jubilees shares some elements with the Testament of Reuben but the presentation differs in important ways. This composition re-tells the narratives in the book of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus, within a chronological framework according to “jubilee” periods of 49 years, to emphasize that history is unfolding according to a pre-determined divine plan. Genesis 35:22 says, "And it came to pass, while Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard of it." Rashi, Ramban. iv. Such is the case as well with Moses’ farewell address at the end of Deuteronomy. Tzoref holds an M.A. He offers further words of ethical exhortation, and concludes with a reference to future redemption. Bilhah is also considered a minor Bible character but was also used to bring two of the twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel onto the earth. [1] Here and elsewhere the translation of the verses are from New JPS with some adaptations. So, for those keeping count: Leah 6 (+1 daughter), Bilhah 2, Zilpah 2, Rachel 2. And for this law there is no consummation of days, and no atonement for it, but they must both be rooted out in the midst of the nation: on the day whereon they committed it they shall slay them. [9] James L. Kugel, “Reuben’s Sin with Bilhah in the Testament of Reuben” in Pomegranates and Golden Bells:Studies in Biblical, Jewish, and Near Eastern Ritual, Law, and Literature in Honor of Jacob Milgrom [ed. The Book of Jubilees offers an even more complex portrait of the characters. Leiden: Brill, 2011), 414-425. Rachel’s Children by Bilhah. [8]Jubilees gives an additional explanation for Bilhah’s lack of culpability as well as for Reuben’s: This heaping of excuses one on top of the other is likely a result of the author’s having drawn upon multiple traditions. 22). 16. A. Brill), 4:119-20; idem, Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious, Standard Edition 13:62 and 206. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Reuben iii. Initially their friendship was based on a mutual dislike for Rachel, but eventually they were able to find common interests in raising sheep and making cheese. 2. Indeed, Jacob kept his marriage bed in Rachel’s tent for the duration of her life. And Jacob went and dwelt to the south of Magdalâdrâ’êf. 1 And these were the names of the sons of Jacob: the first-born Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, the sons of Leah; and the sons of Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin; and the sons of Bilhah, Dan and Naphtali, and the sons of Zilpah, Gad and Asher; and Dinah, the daughter of Leah, the only daughter of Jacob.

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