Why Esau's Wives Grieved Isaac Before Rebecca

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 113:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

(Genesis 26:35) "And they were a bitterness of spirit to Isaac and to Rebecca." Why is Isaac mentioned first? Because Rebecca, since she was the daughter of an idolater, was not strict about idol-worshippers, [and the conduct of Esau's idolatrous wives did not grieve her as much]. But Isaac, who was the son of holy ones and was strict about idol-worshippers, [was grieved first]; therefore Isaac is mentioned first. Another explanation: why is Isaac mentioned first? Because the matter depended upon her [Rebecca], as it is said (Genesis 25:23) "And the LORD said to her: Two nations are in your womb" [so she bore some responsibility and the grief weighed more openly on Isaac]; therefore Isaac is mentioned first.

Themes

PatriarchsIdolatryWomen

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