Specifically, we’re going to zoom in on a moment of high tension, guided by the insights of Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis.
In Genesis 27:42, we read, "The words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebecca, and she sent and summoned Jacob her younger son, and said to him: Behold, your brother Esau consoles himself [mitnaḥem] in your regard to kill you.” Pretty heavy stuff. But who exactly told Rebecca about Esau's deadly intentions?
That's where the rabbis of Bereshit Rabbah step in, offering a fascinating perspective. Rabbi Ḥagai, quoting Rabbi Yitzḥak, suggests that the matriarchs, including Rebecca, were prophets. It’s a powerful idea, isn’t it? That these women, so central to our origin story, possessed a divine connection, a direct line to God.
Now, Rabbi Yitzḥak takes it a step further, posing a bit of a challenge. He says, "Even a layman does not plow a furrow within a furrow…". In other words, even an ordinary farmer wouldn't waste effort by plowing in a way that ruins their previous work. So, surely, prophets wouldn't act in a way that leads to destruction. : Rebecca orchestrated Jacob getting the blessings meant for Esau. Wouldn't that cause chaos?
The explanation offered is that Rebecca, being a prophetess, already knew—through divine inspiration—about Esau’s murderous plan. She knew that even though her actions seemed to be stirring up trouble, ultimately, they wouldn't lead to utter destruction. As Matnot Kehuna clarifies, God had told her of Esau’s plan, ensuring her actions wouldn’t cause ultimate ruin. It's like she was playing a complicated game of chess, several moves ahead.
This idea connects to Psalms 105:15: “Do not touch My anointed ones; do not harm My prophets.” It suggests a divine protection around these figures, a sense that their actions, even when they seem controversial, are guided by a higher purpose.
And then there's Rebecca's message to Jacob. She tells him, in essence, that Esau is already mourning him, that he’s "drunk a cup of consolation" over Jacob. The Hebrew word used here, mitnaḥem, is the same word used to describe Esau "consoling himself" in order to kill Jacob. It's a chilling detail, painting a picture of Esau already grieving for the brother he plans to eliminate.
So, what does this all mean? It paints Rebecca as a figure of immense strength and foresight. She's not just a mother playing favorites; she's a prophet acting on divine knowledge, navigating a treacherous situation with a sense of purpose. The rabbis of Bereshit Rabbah invite us to see beyond the surface of this family drama, to recognize the deeper spiritual currents at play, and to consider the profound role of prophecy in shaping our history. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the unseen forces at work in our own lives, guiding us through the furrows we plow, even when we can't see the bigger picture.