The Sun That Set and Rose Early for Jacob

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayishlach 10:4

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Thus, "You will decree a thing, and it will be fulfilled for you, and upon your ways light will shine" (Job 22:28). Twice, for the Holy One, blessed be He, made the sun set out of its time when he wished to go forth and when He wished to speak with him. "And Jacob went out from Beersheba" (Genesis 28:10). What is written there? "And behold, the Lord stood over him" etc. (Genesis 28:13). And when he came, He made the sun rise for him out of its time, "And the sun rose for him" (Genesis 32:32). And over all the world the sun does not rise, but only over Jacob alone, but it was in order to heal him, as it is said, "And there shall rise for you who fear My name a sun of righteousness" etc. (Malachi 3:20). Rabbi Berekhyah the Priest said: What is "And the sun rose for him"? That He made the sun rise for him out of its time [three hours], just as it had set for him out of its time. Jacob said: Five things did the Holy One, blessed be He, stipulate with me, and He performed them; and I, shall I not perform what I spoke and vowed? Immediately, "And he set up there an altar, and called it El, God of Israel" (Genesis 33:20). When Israel arose, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Moses, the five things that I did with Jacob, I have done for his children,

Themes

Divine ProvidenceJacobHealing

Biblical References

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