According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Reuben, burdened by the weight of his past transgression, felt compelled to warn those around him. He spoke of seven tempter spirits, insidious forces that can lead us astray. These weren't just abstract concepts; they were tangible threats: the spirit of fornication, gluttony, strife, love of admiration, arrogance, falsehood, and injustice. Pretty potent stuff, right?
But he singled out one vice above all others: unchastity. He cautioned, "Pay no heed to the glances of a woman, and remain not alone with a married woman, and do not occupy yourselves with the affairs of women." It sounds like a fairly direct warning, doesn't it?
Reuben then shared a deeply personal and painful story, a confession that underscored the gravity of his words. He recounted the incident with Bilhah, Jacob's concubine, a moment that haunted him for the rest of his days. "Had I not seen Bilhah bathe in a secluded spot," he confessed, "I had not fallen into the great sin I committed." He described how a single, unguarded thought led to an "abominable deed."
He explained that while the family was in Eder, near Ephrath (Bethlehem), Bilhah, intoxicated with wine, lay asleep, uncovered, in her chamber. He entered and, overcome, committed the sin. The text emphasizes the immediacy of divine knowledge, noting that "an angel of God revealed my impious act to my father Jacob at once."
Imagine the shame and regret Reuben must have felt. Jacob, devastated, mourned over him and never again approached Bilhah. Reuben himself carried the burden of his sin for the rest of his life, never fully able to face his father or speak of his disgrace to his brothers. He says even now, his conscience tortures him.
Yet, there's a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Jacob, despite his grief, offered words of comfort and prayed for his son, asking God to turn away His wrath. "Nevertheless my father spake words of comfort to me, and prayed to God in my behalf, that the wrath of the Lord might depart from me, as He showed me."
What are we to take away from this story? It's a powerful reminder of the ever-present potential for temptation, the importance of guarding our thoughts, and the enduring consequences of our actions. But it's also a story of repentance, forgiveness, and the possibility of finding solace even in the face of profound regret. Perhaps it's a testament to the idea that even the deepest wounds can begin to heal with honest remorse and the love of family. Maybe that's what Reuben wanted us to know.