Tamar Dragged to the Fire and Sent New Pledges from Heaven

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 17:6

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Genesis 38:24:) AND IT WAS TOLD TO JUDAH, SAYING: TAMAR YOUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW HAS PLAYED THE HARLOT, AND MOREOVER, SHE IS PREGNANT BY HARLOTRY. What is the meaning of BY HARLOTRY? That she would enter the bathhouse and say to her companions: Make way before me, for I am laden with kings. Now Isaac and Jacob and Judah were sitting there in judgment. They said (Genesis 38:24, continued): BRING HER OUT AND LET HER BE BURNED. Rabbi Yochanan said: In monetary cases they begin with the eldest, but in capital cases they begin with the youngest and conclude with the eldest. And why does one speak with the youngest <first>? Because in this way they ascribe the corruption to the youngest. Why did he say LET HER BE BURNED and not say "let her be killed"? Ephraim Maksha'ah, in the name of Rabbi Meir, said: She was the daughter of Shem, and Shem was a priest; therefore he said: BRING HER OUT AND LET HER BE BURNED. And they were dragging her and bringing her out against her will, as it is said (Genesis 38:25): AS SHE WAS BROUGHT OUT. And as she was being brought out she sought the pledge, but she did not find them. In that hour she lifted her eyes to heaven. Immediately the Holy One, blessed be He, sent her others.

Themes

WomenFireHeavenTribesPatriarchs

Biblical References

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