Sometimes, a single letter can unlock a whole new world of understanding. Take the verse from Genesis 15:14, promising that the Israelites would leave Egypt with "great property." But what kind of "great property" are we talking about?
Rabbi Aḥa, in Bereshit Rabbah 44, offers a fascinating interpretation. He points out that the text doesn't simply say "ahar" – "after" – that they will go out. Instead, it says "aḥarei" – "after that." Notice that extra yod, that little Hebrew letter? In Hebrew, each letter also has a numerical value. The yod is worth ten.
So, what’s the significance? Rabbi Aḥa suggests that the extra yod, representing the number ten, alludes to the ten plagues God would bring upon Egypt. The Israelites wouldn't just leave with "great property," but with the spoils gained after enduring and witnessing those ten devastating plagues. It's a powerful reminder that redemption often comes after hardship, doesn’t it?
The same passage also delves into a conversation between God and Abraham. God tells Abraham, “You will go to your ancestors in peace; you will be buried at a good old age” (Genesis 15:15). Naturally, Abraham wants to know – will he be part of the suffering, the enslavement, that his descendants will endure? God reassures him: “No. ‘You will go to your ancestors in peace…’”
This idea of a "good old age" also gets some interesting treatment. Reish Lakish notes that the Torah specifically uses this phrase – "good old age" – in connection with only three figures: Abraham, David (as we see in I Chronicles 29:28), and… well, someone who wasn’t worthy of it, Gideon.
Why Gideon? What went wrong? Judges 8:27 tells us that "Gideon crafted it into an ephod." An ephod was a priestly garment, but in this case, Gideon’s creation became an object of idol worship. According to Reish Lakish, Gideon's lapse into idolatry tarnished his legacy, disqualifying him from truly being described as having reached a "good old age," despite living a long life (Judges 8:32). It makes you think about the choices we make and how they impact our lasting impression, doesn't it? It's not just about the years we live, but how we live them.