God of My Father Abraham and I Have Been Made Small by All Your Kindnesses

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 131:4

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham" (Genesis 32:10). This was not for Esau's sake; rather, it is the one who chooses their ways and acts according to their deeds upon whom I attach My name. Who was nearer to David than Ahaz? Yet He leaves Ahaz aside and says to Hezekiah, "Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father" (II Kings 20:5). Rather, the one who chooses their ways and acts according to their deeds, upon him I attach My name. "I have been made small by all the kindnesses" (Genesis 32:11): Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said, it means "I am not worthy": "I have been made small by all the kindnesses." Rabbi Levi said, it means "I am worthy": "I have been made small by all the kindnesses" (this is written in remez 32).

Themes

PatriarchsPrayerHumility

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The Exempla of the Rabbis (1924)Why the Matriarchs Were Barren Before They Were MothersSarah, Rebecca, and Rachel all went through seasons of barrenness before they bore children, even though each was promised a great nation through her womb. The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan on GenesisAbraham Falls on His Face and Laughs in His HeartTargum Pseudo-Jonathan on (Genesis 17:17) is the mirror image of Sarah's later laugh at the tent door. Abraham falls on his face. He does not argue out loud. HeTargum Pseudo-Jonathan on GenesisThirty Righteous and the Courage to Keep AskingAt (Genesis 18:30), Abraham's nerve almost breaks. "Let not the displeasure of the Lord, the Lord of all the world, wax strong against me, and I will speak." ThTargum Pseudo-Jonathan on GenesisJacob Bowed Seven Times Praying for Mercy"And he himself went over before them, praying and asking mercy before the Lord; and he bowed upon the earth seven times, until he met with his brother." TargumTargum Pseudo-Jonathan on GenesisWhy the Butler Forgot Joseph - Heaven Keeps the TimingThe Targum supplies the theological punchline the Torah leaves whispered. Because Joseph had withdrawn from the mercy that is above, and had put his confidence Ben SiraThou Art My Father and Mighty SalvationIt's in those moments that People often turn to something greater, something beyond ourselves. And that's precisely what we find in the words attributed to Ben