Jacob's Heart Awake and the Fear of Mocking His Father Isaac

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Toldot 18:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of (Song of Songs 5:2): "I SLEEP…." Jacob had despaired of receiving the blessings from Isaac. But (the verse continues): "YET MY HEART IS AWAKE." (Genesis 27:6, 8-10:) "AND REBEKAH SPOKE unto Jacob…. AND NOW, MY SON, HEED MY VOICE in what I command you. GO NOW TO THE FLOCK…. AND BRING IT TO YOUR FATHER…." He said to her (Genesis 27:11-12): "BEHOLD, ESAU MY BROTHER IS A HAIRY MAN…. PERHAPS MY FATHER WILL FEEL ME…." She said to him: Do you not know that anyone who makes a mockery of his father is as though he worships idols? As it is said (Genesis 27:12, continued): "AND I SHALL BE IN HIS EYES AS A MOCKER," and "a mocker" means nothing other than idolatry, as it is said (Jeremiah 10:15): "THEY ARE VANITY, A WORK OF MOCKERY."

Themes

IdolatryPatriarchsJacobMusicKings

Biblical References

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