Why Joseph Shielded Rachel from Esau's Evil Eye

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 33:6

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Then the handmaids drew near, they and their children" (Genesis 33:6). But concerning Joseph it is written, "And afterward Joseph and Rachel drew near" (verse 7). And why? Joseph said: This wicked man, his eye is haughty — so that he should not cast his eyes upon her. And Joseph raised up his stature and covered her. And for this reason the evil eye does not rule over the seed of Joseph.

Themes

ProtectionPatriarchsJosephJacobMatriarchs

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Targum JonathanWhy Esau's Teeth Hurt When He Kissed JacobWhen Esau and Jacob finally reunited after twenty years of separation, the Bible says Esau ran to his brother, embraced him, kissed him, and they wept (Genesis Midrash AggadahJacob Rebukes Joseph and the Moon Points to BilhahWhen Joseph told his dream of the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down, his father Jacob rebuked him. But the sages heard in that rebuke a warning that eBook of JubileesJacob — Shechem Among the FathersThe Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text not included in the Hebrew Bible but considered scripture by some, certainly thinks so. It gives us a slightly diffBook of JubileesJacob's Transgression of RebeccaTwo brothers, locked in a struggle for inheritance and blessing, but also, according to some traditions, watched over by celestial guardians of immense power. WMidrash AggadahEsau's Men Scattered by Jacob's Guardian AngelsScripture says, "So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir." But where did his four hundred men go? Here is the teaching. As Esau turned for home, his companMidrash AggadahWolves and the Three-Day Gap Between Laban and Jacob's FlocksThe Torah says Laban set "three days' journey between himself and Jacob" (Genesis 30:36). Between what, exactly? The Midrash answers: between the flocks Laban h