Another matter, “if you follow My statutes” – that is what is written: “Now, sons, heed me, as happy are those who observe my ways” (Proverbs 8:32). This is speaking of Jacob, in whose regard it is written: “Jacob took a vow saying” (Genesis 28:20). The Rabbis and Rabbi Asi, the Rabbis say: The Holy One blessed be He responded to him regarding everything [that he requested], but regarding sustenance, He did not respond to him. [Jacob said:] “If God will be with me” (Genesis 28:20); [God] said to him: “Behold I am with you” (Genesis 28:15). [Jacob said:] “And He will keep me” (Genesis 28:20); [God] said to him: “And I will keep you” (Genesis 28:15). [Jacob said:] “On this path that I am going” (Genesis 28:20); [God] said to him: “Wherever you will go” (Genesis 28:15). [Jacob said:] “And I will return in peace to my father’s house” (Genesis 28:21); [God] said to him: I will return you to this land” (Genesis 28:15).
But regarding sustenance,4Jacob had said: “And will provide me bread to eat, and a garment to wear” (Genesis 28:20). He did not respond to him. Rabbi Asi said: He responded to him even regarding sustenance, as it is written: “For I will not forsake you” (Genesis 28:15), and the expression of forsaking is nothing other than an expression of sustenance, just as it says: “I was a youth, and I have grown old, and I have not seen a righteous man forsaken, and his offspring seeking bread” (Psalms 37:25).
Alternatively, even though his offspring and children are seeking bread, I have not seen that righteous man, their father, forsaken of his fear of the Holy One blessed be He. Rabbi Hoshaya said: Happy is the one born to a woman who hears this from his Creator. Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa said: [God said:] ‘I am happy and you are happy when all these conditions that I stipulated with you are fulfilled.’
Rabbi Aḥa said: He said so to his descendants as well, as it is stated: “Now, sons, heed Me, [as happy are those who observe My ways]” (Proverbs 8:32). ‘I am happy and you are happy when you fulfill all these conditions that I stipulated with you. When? When you observe My Torah,’ as it is stated: “If you follow My statutes.”