Genesis Rabbah 61

¹“Abraham took another wife, and her name was Ketura” (Genesis 25:1). “Abraham took another wife, and her name was Ketura.” It is written: “Happy is the man who has not walked…” (Psalms 1:1). “Who has not walked in the counsel of the wicked” (Psalms 1:1) – this [“the wicked”] refers to the generation of the Dispersion. “Has not stood in the path of sinners” (Psalms 1:1) – these are the people of Sodom, as it is stated: “The people of Sodom were extremely wicked and sinful to the Lord” (Genesis 13:13). “And has not sat [ yashav ] in the company of the insolent one” (Psalms 1:1) – this refers to Avimelekh, as it is stated: “Behold my land is before you, [dwell [ shev ] wherever it suits you]…” (Genesis 20:15). “But whose desire is the Torah of the Lord” (Psalms 1:2) – “For I love him, so that he will command [his children and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord]…” (Genesis 18:19). “And he meditates on His Torah” (Psalms 1:2) – Rabbi Shimon said: He [Abraham] had no father to teach him, and he did not have a teacher. From where, then, did he learn Torah? The answer is that the Holy One blessed be He set his two kidneys [ kilyotav ] as two teachers of a sort, and they would flow forth and teach him Torah and wisdom. That is what is written: “I bless the Lord who counsels me, even on nights when my thoughts [ khilyotai ] are anguished” (Psalms 16:7). “He will be like a tree planted” (Psalms 1:3) – the Holy One blessed be He planted him in the Land of Israel. “Which brings forth its fruit in season” (Psalms 1:3) – this refers to Ishmael. “And whose leaf does not wither” (Psalms 1:3) – this refers to Isaac. “And whatever he does will prosper” (Psalms 1:3) – this refers to the sons of Ketura, as it is stated: “Abraham took another wife, and her name was Ketura.” ²“Planted in the House of the Lord, they blossom in the courts of our God. They will continue to yield fruit even in old age” (Psalms 92:14–15) – this refers to Abraham our patriarch. “They will remain full and fresh” (Psalms 92:15) – “Abraham took another [wife].” “For the tree has hope” (Job 14:7) – Abraham our patriarch has hope. “If it is hewed [ yikaret ], it will yet regenerate” (Job 14:7) – if He will say to him: ‘Perform [ kerot ] the covenant [of circumcision],’ “it will yet regenerate” – [he constantly increased his performance of] mitzvot and good deeds. “And its roots will not cease” (Job 14:7) – this refers to his [Abraham’s] vitality. “If its root grows old in the earth” (Job 14:8) – “Abraham was old” (Genesis 24:1). “And its trunk dies in the dirt” (Job 14:8) – “Sarah died” (Genesis 23:2). “It will blossom from the scent of water” (Job 14:9) – due the scent of mitzvot and good deeds, he will blossom. “And produce branches” (Job 14:9) – “[branches] of a sapling” is not written here, but rather, “[branches] like a sapling” – the addition is greater than the tree itself: “Abraham took another [wife]…” ³“In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not rest your hand” (Ecclesiastes 11:6) – Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Eliezer said: If you sowed in the early season, sow in the late season [as well], as you do not know “which will succeed” (Ecclesiastes 11:6), whether that of the early season or that of the late season, “or whether they both alike will be good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). Rabbi Yehoshua said: If a poor person comes to you in the morning, give him charity, [and if another comes] in the evening, give him [as well], as you do not know for which of them the Holy One blessed be He will record about you, for this one or for that one, “or whether they both alike will be good.” Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yishmael says: If you studied Torah in your youth, study Torah in your old age [as well], as you do not know which of them will endure, this one or that one, “or whether they both alike will be good.” Rabbi Akiva says: If you had students in your youth, procure students for yourself in your old age [as well], as you do not know which of them will endure, this one or that one, “or whether they both alike will be good.” Rabbi Akiva had twelve thousand students from Akko to Antipatris and they all died in one time period. Why? Because they were miserly toward one another. Ultimately, he produced seven [disciples]: Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Yosei, Rabbi Shimon, Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua, Rabbi Yoḥanan HaSandlar, and Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov. Some say: Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yosei, Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, Rabbi Ḥanina ben Ḥakhinai, and Rabbi Yoḥanan HaSandlar. He said to them: ‘My sons, the previous students died only because they were miserly toward one another. See to it that you do not act in accordance with their actions.’ They arose and filled the entire Land of Israel with Torah knowledge. Rabbi Dostai in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: If you had children in your youth, take a wife in your old age and produce [more] children. From whom do you learn this? From Abraham, who had children in his youth, and took a wife in his old age and produced [more] children. That is what is written: “Abraham took another [wife]…” ⁴“And her name was Ketura” – Rav said: This is Hagar. Rabbi Neḥemya said to him: ‘But is it not written “[Abraham took] another [ vayosef ]”?’ He said to him: ‘[That means only that] he married her on the basis of a divine command, just as it says: “The Lord continued [ vayosef ] speaking to me again, saying”’ (Isaiah 8:5). He said to him: ‘But is it not written “and her name was Ketura”?’ He said to him: ‘That is because she was perfumed [ mekuteret ] with mitzvot and good deeds.’ [He said to him:] But is it not written: “And to the sons of the concubines of Abraham [Abraham gave gifts and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he was still alive…]”?’ (Genesis 25:6). He said to him: ‘ Pilagsham intimates that the word could be interpreted as a single concubine. is written. “While he was still alive [ ḥai ]” – [this alludes to Hagar] the one who had sat by the well and said to the One who lives [ ḥai ] forever: See my misery.’ Rabbi Berekhya said: Even though it says: “She [Hagar] went off and wandered in the wilderness…” (Genesis 21:14), lest you say that perhaps some person was suspected [of becoming immorally involved] with her, the verse states: “And her name was Ketura” – from the word ‘bound up’ [ ketar ]; she was like one who seals a treasure and takes it out bound and sealed. Bar Kappara said: Additions [ tosafto ] that are granted by the Holy One blessed be He are even greater than the original item. Cain was the original son [of Eve], and Abel, because he was considered an addition, as it is written: “She continued [ vatosef ] giving birth…[to Abel]” (Genesis 4:2) – he was born with his two twin sisters. 22:2). Joseph was the original son [of Rachel], and Benjamin, because addition is written in his regard, he produced ten children, as it is written: “And the sons of Benjamin: Bela, and Bekher…” (Genesis 46:21). Er was the original son [of Judah], and Shela, because an expression of addition is used for him, he produced ten courts. That is what is written in Chronicles: “The sons of Shela son of Judah: Er, father of Lekha; and Lada father of Maresha; and the families of the house of the craft of fine linen, of the house of Ashbe’a...” (I Chronicles 4:21–23). Job’s age was originally only seventy years, and one hundred and forty years were added to his life, as it is written: “After this, Job lived for one hundred and forty years” (Job 42:16). Hezekiah’s original reign was only fourteen years, but fifteen years were added to it, as it is stated: “Behold, I am adding fifteen years to your days” (Isaiah 38:5). Ishmael was the original son, and the sons of Ketura, because an expression of addition is used regarding them [the verse tells us] “She bore him Zimran…” (Genesis 25:2). ⁵“She bore him Zimran, and Yokshan, and Medan, and Midyan, and Yishbak, and Shuaḥ” (Genesis 25:2). “Yokshan begot Sheva and Dedan; a nd the sons of Dedan were Ashurim, Letushim, and Le’umim” (Genesis 25:3). Rami bar Yeḥezkel said: Zimran – [he was called this] because they [his descendants] would “prune [ mezamrin ]” the world [of its inhabitants]; Yokshan – because they acted with ferocity [ mitkashin ] in the world. The Rabbis said: Zimran – because they would sing praises [ mezamrin ] in idol worship; Yokshan – because they would bang [ makshin ] on the drum for idol worship. “Yokshan begot Sheva and Dedan…[Ashurim, Letushim, and Le’umim]” – Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: Although the Aramaic translators say [for these last three names]: Merchants, iron workers, and heads of nations, they were [in fact] all heads of nations. ⁶“Abraham gave all that was his to Isaac” (Genesis 25:5). “Abraham gave all that was his to Isaac” – Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Neḥemya, and the Rabbis, Rabbi Yehuda said: [He gave him] the rights of a firstborn son. Rabbi Neḥemya said: The power to bless. 39:11. The Rabbis said: The right to burial [in the Makhpela Cave], and a will. Rabbi Ḥama said: It was not blessings that he [Abraham] bequeathed to him, but gifts. This is analogous to a king who had an orchard, which he gave over to a sharecropper. In it, there were two trees intertwined into a single twining; one produced life-giving [fruits] and the other produced poisonous [fruits]. That sharecropper said: ‘If I water the one that is life-giving, the one that is poisonous will be watered along with it, but if I refrain from watering the poisonous one, how will the one that is life-giving survive?’ He then said: ‘I am a mere [temporary] sharecropper. I have performed my duties as sharecropper, and whatever the owner of the orchard wishes to do, he will do.’ So, Abraham said: ‘If I bless Isaac, my son Ishmael and Ketura’s sons will want to be included. If I do not bless Ishmael’s sons and Ketura’s sons, how can I bless Isaac?’ He then said: ‘I am flesh and blood, here today, in the grave tomorrow. I have already done my part; from here on, what the Holy One blessed be He wishes to do in His world, let Him do.’ When Abraham died, the Holy One blessed be He revealed himself to Isaac and blessed him. That is what is written: “It was after the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son…” (Genesis 25:11). ⁷“But to the sons of the concubines that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts; and he sent them away from Isaac his son, during his lifetime, eastward, to the east country” (Genesis 25:6). “But to the sons of the concubines…” – In the days of Alexander of Macedonia, the children of Ishmael came to lodge a claim against Israel regarding the birthright. Two evil families, the Canaanites and the Egyptians, came with them. They [the rabbis] said: ‘Who will go and contend with them?’ Gevia ben Kosem said: ‘I will go and contend with them.’ They told him: ‘Be careful that you do not cede the Land to them.’ He said: ‘I am going to contend with them; if I am victorious, it is well and good, and if not, you can always say: Who is this lowly person, that he should represent us?’ He went and contended with them. Alexander of Macedonia said to them: ‘Who is lodging a claim against whom?’ The Ishmaelites said: ‘We are lodging a claim against them [Israel], and it is on the basis of their own Torah that we come against them. It is written: “Rather, he shall acknowledge the firstborn, son of the hated wife [to give him a double portion]” (Deuteronomy 21:17). By right, Ishmael is entitled to receive a double portion.’ Gevia ben Kosem said to him: ‘My lord the king, may a person not do as he pleases for his owns sons?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ He said to him: ‘Is it not written: “Abraham gave all that was his to Isaac”?’ (Genesis 25:5). They said to him: ‘Where is the document of gifts that he divided among his sons?’ He said to them: “And to the sons of the concubines of Abraham, Abraham gave gifts.” They departed from there shamefacedly. The Canaanites said: ‘It is on the basis of their own Torah that we come against them. It is written everywhere: “To the land of Canaan,” “the land of Canaan” – let them give us back our land.’ Gevia ben Kosem said to them: ‘My lord the king, may a person not do as he pleases with his slave?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ He said to him: ‘What is written? “Cursed is Canaan, a slave of slaves…. [And he said: Blessed be the Lord, God of Shem, and Canaan shall be slaves unto them]” (Genesis 9:25–26). The Land is ours and they are slaves to my lord the king.’ They departed from there shamefacedly. The Egyptians said: ‘It is on the basis of their own Torah that we come against them. Six hundred thousand [Israelite] men departed from our midst laden with silver vessels and gold vessels, as it is written: “They stripped Egypt” (Exodus 12:36). Let them give us back our silver and our gold.’ Gevia ben Kosem said to him: ‘My lord the king, six hundred thousand people spent two hundred and ten years in their midst, among them silversmiths and among them goldsmiths, who normally receive one dinar a day as wages. The philosophers sat and calculated and did not even reach one hundred years [of labor] before the land of Egypt would be found to be bankrupt.’ They departed from there shamefacedly. He [Alexander] once sought to ascend to Jerusalem. The Samaritans went and said to him: ‘Be aware that they will not allow you to enter their Holy of Holies.’ When Gevia ben Kosem sensed this, he went and made two felt shoes for him and placed on them two gems, each valued at twenty thousand silver dinars. When he [Alexander] reached the Temple Mount, he [Gevia] said to him: ‘My lord the king, remove your shoes and put on these felt shoes, the floor being slippery, so your feet should not slip.’ 9:6). When he reached the Holy of Holies, they said to him: ‘Until here we have permission to enter; from here on, we do not have permission to enter.’ He said to him [Gevia]: ‘When I leave here, I will flatten your forehead’ [variant reading: Your hump]. He said to him: ‘If you can do that, you would be an expert doctor, and could charge a great fee.’ “And sent them away from Isaac his son [eastward, to the east country]” – he said to them: As far east as you can go, go east, so you will not be burned by Isaac’s coals. But Esau, because he came to confront Jacob, he received his punishment from him. That is what is written: “Is it for you to be jovial, like those in antiquity whose legs led them afar to live? Who devised this against Tyre [Tzor] the glorious…” (Isaiah 23:7–8). Rabbi Elazar said: Every instance of Tzor that is written in the Bible with a vav , the verse is speaking of the city of Tyre; when it is without a vav , the verse is speaking of Rome. “The glorious [ ma’atira ]” – Rabbi Abba said: It was surrounded [with riches] like a crown [ atara ]. Rabbi Yanai said in the name of Rabbi Shimon son of Rabbi Yanai: It was surrounded by thorns.