Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn about the momentous Bris Bein HaBesarim, the Covenant Between the Parts, where Hashem promises the land of Canaan to Avram's descendants. Avram is shown the future of his children, including the dark decree of the Egyptian exile and the ultimate redemption with great wealth.

We then see Sarai, who has not yet been zocheh to children, giving her maidservant Hagar to Avram so they can build a family. This leads to tension, Hagar's flight into the wilderness, her encounter with the malachim, and the birth of Yishmael. Finally, Hashem appears to Avram at ninety-nine years old, changing his name to Avraham and preparing him for the mitzvah of Bris Milah.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidאֵלָיוto himאֲנִיI amיְהוָהHashemאֲשֶׁרWhoהוֹצֵאתִיךָbrought you outמֵאוּרfrom Urכַּשְׂדִּיםof the Chaldeansלָתֶתto giveלְךָto youאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landהַזֹּאתthisלְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃to inherit it

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיֹּאמַרAnd he saidאֲדֹנָיmy LordיֱהוִהHashemבַּמָּהwith whatאֵדַעwill I knowכִּיthatאִירָשֶׁנָּה׃I will inherit it

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidאֵלָיוto himקְחָהtakeלִיfor Meעֶגְלָהa heiferמְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁתthree-foldוְעֵזand a she-goatמְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁתthree-foldוְאַיִלand a ramמְשֻׁלָּשׁthree-foldוְתֹרand a turtledoveוְגוֹזָל׃and a young bird

רַשִׁ״י

עגלהA heiferמשלשת.threefoldשְׁלשָׁהthreeעֲגָלִים;heifersרֶמֶזa hintלִשְׁלֹשָׁהto threeפָרִים,bullsפַּרthe bull ofיוֹםthe Day ofהַכִּפּוּרִיםAtonementוּפַרand the bull ofהֶעְלֵםthe hiddenדָּבָרmatterשֶׁלofצִבּוּרthe congregationוְעֶגְלָהand the heiferעֲרוּפָה:whose neck is broken

רַשִׁ״י

ועזAnd a goatמשלשת.threefoldרֶמֶזa hintלְשָׂעִירto the goatהַנַּעֲשֶׂהthat is offeredבִּפְנִיםinsideוּשְׂעִירֵיand the goats ofמוּסָפִיןadditional offeringsשֶׁלofמוֹעֵדthe Festivalוּשְׂעִירand the goat ofחַטַּאתthe sin-offering ofיָחִיד:an individual

רַשִׁ״י

ואילAnd a ramמשלש.threefoldאֲשַׁםthe guilt-offering ofוַדַּאיcertaintyוְאָשָׁםand the guilt-offering ofתָּלוּיsuspenseוְכִבְשָׂהand the eweשֶׁלofחַטַּאתthe sin-offering ofיָחִיד:an individual

רַשִׁ״י

ותורand a turtle-doveוגוזל.and a young-pigeonתּוֹרa turtle-doveוּבֶןand a youngיוֹנָהpigeonבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיִּקַּחAnd he tookלוֹfor himאֶת—כָּלall ofאֵלֶּהtheseוַיְבַתֵּרand he splitאֹתָםthemבַּתָּוֶךְin the middleוַיִּתֵּןand he placedאִישׁeachבִּתְרוֹhis pieceלִקְרַאתoppositeרֵעֵהוּits counterpartוְאֶתand —הַצִפֹּרthe birdלֹאnotבָתָר׃he split

רַשִׁ״י

ויבתרAnd he splitאתם.themחָלַקhe dividedכָּלeachאֶחָדoneלִשְׁנֵיinto twoחֲלָקִים;portionsוְאֵיןand notהַמִּקְרָאthe verseיוֹצֵאleavesמִידֵיthe hands ofפְשׁוּטוֹ,its literal meaningלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasכוֹרֵתmakingבְּרִיתa covenantעִמּוֹwith himלִשְׁמֹרto keepהַבְטָחָתוֹhis promiseלְהוֹרִישto give inheritanceלְבָנָיוto his childrenאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landכְּדִכְתִיבas it is writtenבַּיּוֹםon dayהַהוּאthatכָּרַתmadeה'Hashemאֶת—אַבְרָםAvramבְּרִיתa covenantלֵאמֹרsayingוְגוֹמֵר,and so onוְדֶרֶךand the way ofכּוֹרְתֵיmakers ofבְרִיתa covenantלְחַלֵּקis to divideבְּהֵמָהan animalוְלַעֲבֹרand to passבֵּיןbetweenבְּתָרֶיהָ,its partsכְּמַהlike thatשֶּׁנֶּאֱמַרwhich is saidלְהַלָּןfurther onהָעֹבְרִיםwho passedבֵּיןbetweenבִּתְרֵיthe parts ofהָעֵגֶלthe calfירמיהYirmeyahuל"ד34,אַףsoכָּאןhereתַנּוּרa furnace ofעָשָׁןsmokeוְלַפִּידand a torch ofאֵשׁfireאֲשֶׁרwhichעָבַרpassedבֵּיןbetweenהַגְּזָרִיםthe piecesהוּאitשְׁלוּחוֹwas the messengerשֶׁלofשְׁכִינָה,the Shechinahשֶׁהוּאwhich isאֵשׁ.fire

רַשִׁ״י

ואתAnd —הצפורthe birdלאnotבתר.did he splitלְפִיBecauseשֶׁהָאֻמּוֹתthat the nationsנִמְשְׁלוּare comparedלְפָרִיםto bullsוְאֵילִיםand ramsוּשְֹעִירִים,and goatsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidסְבָבוּנִיencompassed meפָּרִיםbullsרַבִּיםmanyוְגוֹ'etcתהל'Tehillimכ"ב22,וְאוֹמֵרand it saysהָאַיִלThe ramאֲשֶׁרwhichרָאִיתָyou sawבַּעַלpossessor ofהַקְּרָנָיִםthe hornsמַלְכֵיare the kings ofמָדַיMadaiוּפָרָסand ParasדניאלDanielח'8,וְאוֹמֵרand it saysוְהַצָּפִירand the he-goatהַשָּׂעִירthe hairyמֶלֶךְis the king ofיָוָןYavanשםthere,וְיִשְֹרָאֵלand Israelנִמְשְׁלוּare comparedלִבְנֵיto youngיוֹנָה,dovesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidיוֹנָתִיmy doveבְּחַגְוֵיin the clefts ofהַסֶּלַעthe rockשירShirהשיריםhaShirimב'2,לְפִיכָךְThereforeבִּתֵּרhe splitהַבְּהֵמוֹת,the animalsרֶמֶזa hintשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they will beהָאֻמּוֹתthe nationsכָּלִיםperishingוְהוֹלְכִים,and goingואתand —הצפורthe birdלאnotבתרdid he split,רֶמֶזa hintשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they will beיִשְֹרָאֵלIsraelקַיָּמִיןexistingלְעוֹלָם:forever

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיֵּרֶדAnd descendedהָעַיִטthe bird of preyעַלuponהַפְּגָרִיםthe carcassesוַיַּשֵּׁבand blew awayאֹתָםthemאַבְרָם׃Avram

רַשִׁ״י

העיט.The bird of preyהוּאit isעוֹף,a birdעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁהוּאthat itעָטswoopsוְשׁוֹאֵףand pantsאֶלafterהַנְּבֵלוֹתthe carcassesלָטוּשׂto swoopעֲלֵיuponאֹכֶל,foodכְּמוֹlikeוַתַּעַטand you pouncedאֶלuponהַשָּׁלָלthe spoilשמואלShmuelאIט"ו15:

רַשִׁ״י

עלUponהפגרים.the carcassesעַלuponהַבְּתָרִים.the piecesהַפְּגָרִיםthe carcassesמְתַרְגְּמִינָןwe translateפַּגְלַיָּא,paglayyaאֶלָּאbutמִתּוֹךְsinceשֶׁהֻרְגְּלוּthey were accustomedלְתַרְגֵּםto translate"אישeachבִּתְרוֹ"his pieceוִיהַבand he gaveפַּלְגַּיָּא,palgayyaנִתְחַלֵּףwas switchedלָהֶםfor themתֵּבַתthe wordפַּגְלַיָּאpaglayyaלְפַלְגַּיָּא,to palgayyaוְתִרְגְּמוּand they translatedהַפְּגָרִיםthe carcassesפַּלְגַּיָּא;palgayyaוְכָלand anyoneהַמְתַרְגֵּםwho translatesכֵּןsoטוֹעֶה,errsלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלְהַקִּישto compareבְּתָרִיםpiecesלִפְגָרִים,to carcassesשֶׁבְּתָרִיםfor piecesתַּרְגּוּמוֹits translation isפַּלְגַּיָּא,palgayyaוּפְגָרִיםand carcassesתַּרְגּוּמוֹits translation isפַּגְלַיָּא,paglayyaלְשׁוֹןan expression ofפִּגּוּל,pigulכְּמוֹlikeפִּגּוּלabhorredהוּאit isויקראVayikraז'7לְ'related toפֶּגֶר:carcass

רַשִׁ״י

וישב.And he scared awayלְשׁוֹןan expression ofנְשִׁיבָהblowingוְהַפְרָחָה,and making flyכְּמוֹlikeיַשֵּׁבHe causes to blowרוּחוֹHis windתה'Tehillimקמ"ז147,רֶמֶזa hintשֶׁיָּבֹאthat will comeדָוִדDovidבֶּןson ofיִשַּׁיYishaiלְכַלּוֹתָם,to destroy themוְאֵיןbut they do notמַנִּיחִיןallowאוֹתוֹhimמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםHeavenעַדuntilשֶׁיָּבֹאthat will comeמֶלֶךְKingהַמָּשִׁיחַ:the Messiah

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיְהִיAnd it wasהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunלָבוֹאabout to setוְתַרְדֵּמָהand a deep sleepנָפְלָהfellעַלuponאַבְרָםAvramוְהִנֵּהand beholdאֵימָהa dreadחֲשֵׁכָהof darknessגְדֹלָהgreatנֹפֶלֶתfallingעָלָיו׃upon him

רַשִׁ״י

והנהand beholdאימהa dreadוגו'.etc.רֶמֶזa hintלְצָרוֹתto troublesוְחשֶׁךְand darknessשֶׁלofגָּלִיּוֹת:exiles

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidלְאַבְרָםto Avramיָדֹעַknowingתֵּדַעyou shall knowכִּיthatגֵרa strangerיִהְיֶהwill beזַרְעֲךָyour offspringבְּאֶרֶץin a landלֹאnotלָהֶםtheirsוַעֲבָדוּםand they will enslave themוְעִנּוּand they will oppressאֹתָםthemאַרְבַּעfourמֵאוֹתhundredשָׁנָה׃years

רַשִׁ״י

כיforגרa strangerיהיהshall beזרעך.your seedמִשֶּׁנּוֹלַדfrom when was bornיִצְחָקYitzchakעַדuntilשֶׁיָּצְאוּthat went outיִשְֹרָאֵלYisraelמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimאַרְבַּעfourמֵאוֹתhundredשָׁנָהyearsכֵּיצַד?how soיִצְחָקYitzchakבֶּןwas a son ofשִׁשִּׁיםsixtyשָׁנָהyearsכְּשֶׁנּוֹלַדwhen was bornיַעֲקֹב,Yaakovוְיַעֲקֹבand Yaakovכְּשֶׁיָּרַדwhen he went downלְמִצְרַיִםto Mitzrayimאָמַרsaidיְמֵיthe days ofשְׁנֵיthe years ofמְגוּרַיmy sojourningsשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyוּמְאַתand a hundredשָׁנָה,yearsהֲרֵיbeholdק"צ,one hundred and ninetyוּבְמִצְרַיִםand in Mitzrayimהָיוּthey wereמָאתַיִםtwo hundredוְעֶשֶׂרand tenכְּמִנְיַןlike the number ofרְד"וּ,Reduהֲרֵיbeholdאַרְבַּעfourמֵאוֹתhundredשָׁנָה.yearsוְאִםand ifתֹּאמַרyou will sayבְּמִצְרַיִםin Mitzrayimהָיוּthey wereאַרְבַּעfourמֵאוֹת,hundredהֲרֵיbeholdקְהָתKehasמִיּוֹרְדֵיfrom those going down toמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimהָיָה,wasצֵאgo outוַחֲשֹׁבand calculateשְׁנוֹתָיוhis yearsשֶׁלofקְהָתKehasוְשֶׁלand ofעַמְרָםAmramוּשְׁמוֹנִיםand eightyשֶׁלofמשֶׁהMosheשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasכְּשֶׁיֶָּצְאוּwhen went outיִשְֹרָאֵלYisraelמִמִּצְרַיִם,from Mitzrayimאֵיןnotאַתָּהyouמוֹצֵאfindאֶלָּאbutשְׁלֹשׁthreeמֵאוֹתhundredוַחֲמִשִּׁים,and fiftyוְאַתָּהand youצָרִיךְneedלְהוֹצִיאto subtractמֵהֶןfrom themכָּלallהַשָּׁנִיםthe yearsשֶׁחַיthat livedקְהָתKehasאַחַרafterלֵדַתthe birth ofעַמְרָםAmramוְשֶׁחַיand that livedעַמְרָםAmramאַחַרafterלֵדַתthe birth ofמשֶׁה:Moshe

רַשִׁ״י

בארץIn a landלאnotלהם.theirsלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרwas it saidבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofמִצְרַיִם,Mitzrayimאֶלָּאbut ratherלֹאnotלָהֶםtheirs–וּמִשֶּׁנּוֹלַדand from when was bornיִצְחָקYitzchakוַיָּגָרand sojournedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְגוֹ'etceteraבר'Bereishisכ"אtwenty-one,וּבְיִצְחָקand regarding Yitzchakגּוּרsojournבָּאָרֶץin the landהַזֹאתthisשםthereכ"וtwenty-six,וְיַעֲקֹבand Yaakovגָּרsojournedבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofחָםChamתה'Tehillimק"הone hundred five,לָגוּרto sojournבָּאָרֶץin the landבָּאנוּwe have comeבר'Bereishisמ"זforty-seven:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְגַםAnd alsoאֶת—הַגּוֹיthe nationאֲשֶׁרwhomיַעֲבֹדוּthey shall serveדָּןjudgeאָנֹכִיwill Iוְאַחֲרֵיand afterכֵןthatיֵצְאוּthey shall go outבִּרְכֻשׁwith wealthגָּדוֹל׃great

רַשִׁ״י

וגםAnd alsoאת—הגוי.the nationוְגַםand alsoלְרַבּוֹתto includeד'fourמַלְכֻיּוֹת,monarchiesשֶׁאַףthat evenהֵןtheyכָּלִיםwill perishעַלbecauseשֶׁשִּׁעְבְּדוּthey enslavedאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵל:Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

דןjudgeאנכי.will Iבְּעֶשֶׂרwith tenמַכּוֹת:plagues

רַשִׁ״י

ברכשWith substanceגדול.greatבְּמָמוֹןwith wealthגָּדוֹל,greatכְּמוֹasשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidוַיְנַצְּלוּand they despoiledאֶת—מִצְרָיִםMitzrayimשמותShemosי"ב12:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְאַתָּהAnd youתָּבוֹאshall goאֶלtoאֲבֹתֶיךָyour ancestorsבְּשָׁלוֹםin peaceתִּקָּבֵרyou shall be buriedבְּשֵׂיבָהat an old ageטוֹבָה׃good

רַשִׁ״י

ואתהAnd youתבוא.shall comeוְלֹאand notתִרְאֶהbeholdכָּלallאֵלֶה:these

רַשִׁ״י

אלUntoאבותיך.your fathersאָבִיוhis fatherעוֹבֵדwas a worshiper ofעֲ"זָidolatryוְהוּאand Heמְבַשְּׂרוֹannounces to himשֶׁיָּבֹאthat he will goאֵלָיו?to himלִמֶּדְךָit teaches youשֶׁעָשָׂהthat he didתֶּרַחTerachתְּשׁוּבָה:repentance

רַשִׁ״י

תקברYou shall be buriedבשיבהin an old ageטובה.goodבִּשְּׂרוֹHe announced to himשֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂהthat he would makeיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelתְּשׁוּבָהrepentanceבְּיָמָיו,in his daysוְלֹאand notיֵצֵאwould go outעֵשָׂוEsavלְתַרְבּוּתto a cultureרָעָהevilבְּיָמָיו;in his daysוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeמֵתhe diedה'fiveשָׁנִיםyearsקֹדֶםbeforeזְמַנּוֹ,his timeוּבוֹand on thatבַיּוֹםdayמָרַדrebelledעֵשָׂו:Esav

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְדוֹרAnd a generationרְבִיעִיfourthיָשׁוּבוּthey shall returnהֵנָּהhereכִּיforלֹאnotשָׁלֵםis completeעֲוֺןthe iniquity ofהָאֱמֹרִיthe Amoriteעַדuntilהֵנָּה׃now

רַשִׁ״י

ודורAnd a generationרביעי.fourthלְאַחַרafterשֶׁיִּגְלוּthat they exileלְמִצְרַיִםto Mitzrayimיִהְיוּthey will beשָׁםthereג'threeדּוֹרוֹת,generationsוְהָרְבִיעִיand the fourthיָשׁוּבוּthey will returnלָאָרֶץto the landהַזֹּאת,thisלְפִיbecauseשֶׁבְּאֶרֶץthat in the land ofכְּנַעַןKenaanהָיָהHe wasמְדַבֵּרspeakingעִמּוֹ,with himוְכָרַתand He madeבְּרִיתa covenantזוֹ,thisכְּדִכְתִיב:as it is writtenלָתֶתto giveלְךָto youאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landהַזֹּאתthisלְרִשְׁתָּהּ.to inherit itוְכֵןand soהָיָה:it wasיַעֲקֹבYaakovיָרַדwent downלְמִצְרַיִם,to Mitzrayimצֵאgoוַחֲשֹׁבand countדּוֹרוֹתָיו:his generationsיְהוּדָה,Yehudahפֶּרֶץ,Perezוְחֶצְרוֹן,and Chezronוְכָלֵבand Kalevבֶּןson ofחֶצְרוֹןChezronמִבָּאֵיof those who enteredהָאָרֶץthe landהָיָה:was

רַשִׁ״י

כיforלאnotשלםis completeעוןthe iniquity ofהאמרי.the Emoriלִהְיוֹתto beמִשְׁתַּלֵּחַsent awayמֵאַרְצוֹfrom his landעַדuntilאוֹתוֹthatזְמַן,timeשֶׁאֵיןfor notהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneנִפְרָעexacts punishmentמֵאֻמָּהfrom a nationעַדuntilשֶׁתִּתְמַלֵּאthat is filledסְאָתָהּ,its measureשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבְּסַאסְּאָהin full measureבְּשַׁלְחָהּwhen sending her awayתְּרִיבֶנָּהYou contend with herיש'Yeshayahuכ"זtwenty seven:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיְהִיAnd it wasהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunבָּאָהsetוַעֲלָטָהand darknessהָיָהthere wasוְהִנֵּהand beholdתַנּוּרa furnace ofעָשָׁןsmokeוְלַפִּידand a torch ofאֵשׁfireאֲשֶׁרwhichעָבַרpassedבֵּיןbetweenהַגְּזָרִיםthe piecesהָאֵלֶּה׃these

רַשִׁ״י

ויהיAnd it wasהשמשthe sunבאה.settingכְּמוֹlikeוַיְהִיand it wasהֵםtheyמְרִיקִיםwere emptyingשַׂקֵּיהֶםtheir sacksבראשיתBereishisמ"בforty-two,וַיְהִיand it wasהֵםtheyקֹבְרִיםwere buryingאִישׁa manמלכיםMelachimבtwoי"גthirteen,כְּלוֹמַר,meaning to sayוַיְהִיand it wasדָּבָרthingזֶה:this

רַשִׁ״י

השמשthe sunבאה.cameשָׁקְעָה:it set

רַשִׁ״י

ועלטהAnd thick darknessהיה.there wasחָשַׁךְgrew darkהַיּוֹם:the day

רַשִׁ״י

והנהAnd beholdתנורa furnace ofעשןsmokeוגו'.etc.רָמַזHe hintedלוֹto himשֶׁיִּפְּלוּthat they will fallהַמַּלְכֻיּוֹתthe kingdomsבַּגֵּיהִנֹּם:into Gehinom

רַשִׁ״י

באה.cameטַעֲמוֹits accentלְמַעְלָה,is aboveלְכָךְthereforeהוּאitמְבֹאָרis explainedשֶׁבָּאthat it cameכְבָר.alreadyוְאִםand ifהָיָהwasטַעֲמוֹits accentלְמַטָּה,belowבָּאָלֶ"ף,on the Alephהָיָהit would beמְבֹאָרexplainedכְּשֶׁהִיאas itשׁוֹקַעַת;is settingוְאִ"אֶand it is impossibleלוֹמַרto sayכֵּן,soשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdכְבָרalreadyכְּתִיבit is writtenוַיְהִיand it wasהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunלָבוֹא,was settingוְהַעֲבָרַתand the passing ofתַּנּוּרthe furnace ofעָשָׁןsmokeלְאַחַרafterמִכָּאןthisהָיְתָה,wasנִמְצָאit turns outשֶׁכְּבָרthat alreadyשָׁקְעָה;it had setוְזֶהand thisחִלּוּקis the differenceבְּכָלin everyתֵּבָהwordלְשׁוֹןof the language ofנְקֵבָהfeminineשֶׁיְּסוֹדָהּwhose root isשְׁתֵּיtwoאוֹתִיּוֹת,lettersכְּמוֹlikeבָּא,cameקָם,aroseשָׁב:returnedכְּשֶׁהַטַּעַםwhen the accentלְמַעְלָה,is aboveלְשׁוֹןit is the language ofעָבַרpast tenseהוּא,itכְּגוֹןsuch asזֶה,thisוּכְגוֹןand such asוְרָחֵלand Rachelבָּאָה,cameקָמָהaroseאֲלֻמָּתִי,my sheafהִנֵּהbeholdשָׁבָהhas returnedיְבִמְתֵּךְ,your sister-in-lawוּכְשֶׁהַטַּעַםand when the accentלְמַטָּהis belowהוּאitלְשׁוֹןis the language ofהוֹוֶה,present tenseדָּבָרa thingשֶׁנַּעֲשֶׂהthat is being doneעַכְשָׁוnowוְהוֹלֵךְ,and continuingכְּמוֹlikeבָּאָהis comingעִםwithהַצֹּאן,the sheepבָּעֶרֶבin the eveningהִיאsheבָאָהwould comeוּבַבֹּקֶרand in the morningהִיאsheשָׁבָה:would return

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

בַּיּוֹםOn the dayהַהוּאthatכָּרַתmadeיְהוָהHashemאֶת—אַבְרָםAvramבְּרִיתa covenantלֵאמֹרsayingלְזַרְעֲךָto your offspringנָתַתִּיI have givenאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landהַזֹּאתthisמִנְּהַרfrom the river ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimעַדuntilהַנָּהָרthe riverהַגָּדֹלthe greatנְהַרthe river ofפְּרָת׃Peras

רַשִׁ״י

לזרעךTo your seedנתתי.I have givenאֲמִירָתוֹThe saying ofשֶׁלofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heכְּאִלוּis as ifהִיאitעֲשׂוּיָה:is done

רַשִׁ״י

הנהרThe riverהגדול.the greatלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat itדָבוּקis attachedלְאֶרֶץto the land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelקוֹרְאֵהוּScripture calls itגָּדוֹל,greatאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁהוּאthat itמְאֻחָרis the lastבְּאַרְבָּעָהof the fourנְהָרוֹתriversהַיּוֹצְאִיםthat go outמֵעֵדֶן,from Edenשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוְהַנָּהָרand the riverהָרְבִיעִיthe fourthהוּאit isפְרָת.PerasמָשָׁלA proverb ofהֶדְיוֹט:a commonerעֶבֶדA servant ofמֶלֶךְa kingמֶלֶךְ,is a kingהִדָּבֵקattach yourselfלַשַּׁחֲוָרto a rulerוְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּand they will bowלְךָto youבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

אֶת—הַקֵּינִיthe Keniteוְאֶתand —הַקְּנִזִּיthe Kenizziteוְאֵתand —הַקַּדְמֹנִי׃the Kadmonite

רַשִׁ״י

את—הקני.the Keniteעֶשֶׂרtenאֻמּוֹתnationsיֵשׁthere areכָּאןhereוְלֹאand notנָתַןdid He giveלָהֶםto themאֶלָּאbutשִׁבְעָהsevenגוֹיִם,nationsוְהַשְּׁלשָׁהand the threeאֱדוֹםEdomוּמוֹאָבand Moavוְעַמּוֹן,and Ammonוְהֵםand theyקֵינִי,Keniteקְנִזִּי,Kenizziteוְקַדְּמוֹנִיand Kadmoniteעֲתִידִיםare destinedלִהְיוֹתto beיְרֻשָּׁהan inheritanceלֶעָתִידfor the futureבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah,שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:as it is saidאֱדוֹםEdomוּמוֹאָבand Moavמִשְׁלוֹחַthe putting forth ofיָדָםtheir handוּבְנֵיand the children ofעַמּוֹןAmmonמִשְׁמַעְתָּםtheir subjectsישעיהYeshayahuי"א11:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וְאֶתand —הַחִתִּיthe Hittitesוְאֶתand —הַפְּרִזִּיthe Perizzitesוְאֶתand —הָרְפָאִים׃the Rephaim

רַשִׁ״י

ואתAnd —הרפאים.the Rephaimאֶרֶץthe land ofעוֹג,Ogשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבָּהּ:about itהַהוּאthatיִקָּרֵאis calledאֶרֶץthe land ofרְפָאִיםRephaimדבריםDevarimג'three:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְאֶתand —הָאֱמֹרִיthe Emoriוְאֶתand —הַכְּנַעֲנִיthe Kenaaniוְאֶתand —הַגִּרְגָּשִׁיthe Girgashiוְאֶתand —הַיְבוּסִי׃the Yevusi

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְשָׂרַיAnd Saraiאֵשֶׁתwife ofאַבְרָםAvramלֹאnotיָלְדָהhad borneלוֹto himוְלָהּand she hadשִׁפְחָהa maidservantמִצְרִיתEgyptianוּשְׁמָהּand her nameהָגָר׃Hagar

רַשִׁ״י

שׁפחהA handmaidמצרית.Egyptianבַּתthe daughter ofפַּרְעֹהPharaohהָיְתָה,she wasכְּשֶׁרָאָהwhen he sawנִסִּיםmiraclesשֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּthat were doneלְשָׂרָהfor Sarahאָמַר:he saidמוּטָבit is betterשֶׁתְּהֵאthat she should beבִתִּיmy daughterשִׁפְחָהa handmaidבְּבַיִתin the house ofזֶהthis oneוְלֹאand notגְבִירָהa mistressבְּבַיִתin a houseאַחֵר:another

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַתֹּאמֶרAnd she saidשָׂרַיSaraiאֶלtoאַבְרָםAvramהִנֵּהBeholdנָאnowעֲצָרַנִיhas restrained meיְהוָהHashemמִלֶּדֶתfrom bearingבֹּאcomeנָאpleaseאֶלtoשִׁפְחָתִיmy maidservantאוּלַיperhapsאִבָּנֶהI will be built upמִמֶּנָּהfrom herוַיִּשְׁמַעAnd he listenedאַבְרָםAvramלְקוֹלto the voice ofשָׂרָי׃Sarai

רַשִׁ״י

אוליperhapsאבנהI will be builtממנה.from herלִמֵּדthis teachesעַלaboutמִיoneשֶׁאֵיןwho has notלוֹto himבָּנִיםchildrenשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notבָנוּיbuiltאֶלָּאbut ratherהָרוּס:demolished

רַשִׁ״י

אבנהI shall be buildedממנה.through herבִּזְכוּתthrough the meritשֶׁאַכְנִיסthat I bring inצָרָתִיmy rival wifeלְתוֹךְintoבֵּיתִי:my house

רַשִׁ״י

לקולTo the voice ofשרי.Saraiלְרוּחַto the spirit ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe holinessשֶׁבָּהּthat was in herבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַתִּקַּחAnd she tookשָׂרַיSaraiאֵשֶׁתwife ofאַבְרָםAvramאֶת—הָגָרHagarהַמִּצְרִיתthe Egyptianשִׁפְחָתָהּher maidservantמִקֵּץat the end ofעֶשֶׂרtenשָׁנִיםyearsלְשֶׁבֶתof the dwelling ofאַבְרָםAvramבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofכְּנָעַןKenaanוַתִּתֵּןand she gaveאֹתָהּherלְאַבְרָםto Avramאִישָׁהּher husbandלוֹto himלְאִשָּׁה׃for a wife

רַשִׁ״י

ותקחAnd she tookשרי.Saraiלְקָחַתָּהּshe took herבִּדְבָרִים,with wordsאַשְׁרַיִךְhappy are youשֶׁזָּכִיתthat you meritedלִדָּבֵקto clingבְּגוּףto a bodyקָדוֹשׁholyכָּזֶהlike thisבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

מקץAt the end ofעשרtenשנים.yearsמוֹעֵדthe periodהַקָּבוּעַappointedלְאִשָּׁהfor a womanשֶׁשָּׁהֲתָהwho has stayedעֶשֶׂרtenשָׁנִיםyearsוְלֹאand notיָלְדָהhas she borneלְבַעֲלָהּ,to her husbandחַיָּבhe is obligatedלִשָֹּאto marryאַחֶרֶת:another

רַשִׁ״י

לשבתafter dwellingאברםAvramוגו'.etc.מַגִּידthis teachesשֶׁאֵיןthat notיְשִׁיבַתthe dwelling ofחוּצָהoutsideלָאָרֶץthe Landעוֹלָהrisesלוֹfor himמִןfromהַמִּנְיָןthe countיב'Yevamosס"ד64,לְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notנֶאֱמַרwas saidלוֹto himוְאֶעֶשְׂךָand I will make youלְגוֹיinto a nationגָּדוֹל,greatעַדuntilשֶׁיָּבֹאthat he comesלְאֶרֶץto the Land ofיִשְֹרָאֵל:Yisrael

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיָּבֹאAnd he cameאֶלtoהָגָרHagarוַתַּהַרand she conceivedוַתֵּרֶאand she sawכִּיthatהָרָתָהshe had conceivedוַתֵּקַלand was lessenedגְּבִרְתָּהּher mistressבְּעֵינֶיהָ׃in her eyes

רַשִׁ״י

ויבאAnd he cameאלtoהגרHagarותהר.and she conceivedמִבִּיאָהfrom unionרִאשׁוֹנָהthe firstבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

ותקלAnd was slightedגברתהher mistressבעיניה.in her eyesאָמְרָהshe saidשָׂרַיSaraiזוֹthisאֵיןis notסִתְרָהּher private selfכִּגְלוּיָהּlike her public selfמַרְאָהshe showsעַצְמָהּherselfכְּאִלּוּas ifהִיאsheצַדֶּקֶתis a righteous womanוְאֵינָהּbut she is notצַדֶּקֶת,a righteous womanשֶׁלֹּאsince notזָכְתָהdid she meritלְהֵרָיוֹןpregnancyכָּלallהַשָּׁנִיםthe yearsהַלָּלוּ,theseוַאֲנִיand Iנִתְעַבַּרְתִּיbecame pregnantמִבִּיאָהfrom cohabitationרִאשׁוֹנָהthe firstבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַתֹּאמֶרAnd she saidשָׂרַיSaraiאֶלtoאַבְרָםAvramחֲמָסִיMy wrongעָלֶיךָis upon youאָנֹכִיIנָתַתִּיgaveשִׁפְחָתִיmy maidservantבְּחֵיקֶךָinto your bosomוַתֵּרֶאand she sawכִּיthatהָרָתָהshe conceivedוָאֵקַלand I became lightבְּעֵינֶיהָin her eyesיִשְׁפֹּטmay judgeיְהוָהHashemבֵּינִיbetween meוּבֵינֶיךָ׃and between you

רַשִׁ״י

חמסיMy wrongעליך.is upon youחָמָסthe wrongהֶעָשׂוּיthat is doneלִי,to meעָלֶיךָupon youאֲנִיIמֵטִילcastהָעֹנֶשׁ;the punishmentכְּשֶׁהִתְפַּלַּלְתָּwhen you prayedלְהַקָּבָּ"הto the Holy Oneמַהwhatתִּתֶּןwill You giveלִיto meוְאָנֹכִיseeing that Iהוֹלֵךְgoעֲרִירִי,childlessלֹאnotהִתְפַּלַּלְתָּdid you prayאֶלָּאexceptעָלֶיךָ,for yourselfוְהָיָהand it wasלְךָfor youלְהִתְפַּלֵּלto prayעַלforשְׁנֵינוּ,both of usוְהָיִיתִיand I would beאֲנִיIנִפְקֶדֶתrememberedעִמְּךָ,with youוְעוֹדand furthermoreדְּבָרֶיךָyour wordsאַתָּהyouחוֹמֵסdepriveמִמֶּנִי,from meשֶׁאַתָּהsince youשׁוֹמֵעַhearבִּזְיוֹנִיmy disgraceוְשׁוֹתֵקand remain silentבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

אנכיIנתתיhave givenשפחתיmy handmaidוגו'etcביניbetween meוביניך.and between youכָּלeveryבֵּינֶיךָbetween youשֶׁבַּמִּקְרָאthat is in Scriptureחָסֵר,is defectiveוְזֶהand thisמָלֵא,is fullקְרִיreadבֵיהּin itוּבָנַיִךְ,and your childrenשֶׁהִכְנִיסָהfor she castעַיִןan eyeהָרָעevilבְּעִבּוּרָהּon her pregnancyשֶׁלofהָגָרHagarוְהִפִּילָהand she miscarriedעֻבָּרָהּ;her fetusהוּאthis isשֶׁהַמַּלְאָךְwhat the angelאוֹמֵרsaysלְהָגָרto Hagarהִנָּךְbehold youהָרָה,will conceiveוְהֲלֹאbut is it notכְבָרalreadyהָרְתָה,she conceivedוְהוּאand heמְבַשֵּׁרannouncesלָהּto herשֶׁתַּהַר?that she will conceiveאֶלָּאratherמְלַמֵּדit teachesשֶׁהִפִּילָהthat she miscarriedהֵרָיוֹןpregnancyהָרִאשׁוֹן:the first

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאַבְרָםAvramאֶלtoשָׂרַיSaraiהִנֵּהbeholdשִׁפְחָתֵךְyour maidservantבְּיָדֵךְis in your handעֲשִׂיdoלָהּto herהַטּוֹבthe goodבְּעֵינָיִךְin your eyesוַתְּעַנֶּהָand afflicted herשָׂרַיSaraiוַתִּבְרַחand she fledמִפָּנֶיהָ׃from her presence

רַשִׁ״י

ותענהAnd Sarai afflictedשׁרי.herהָיְתָהshe wasמְשַׁעְבֶּדֶתsubjugatingבָּהּherבְּקֹשִׁיwith hardshipבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וַיִּמְצָאָהּAnd found herמַלְאַךְan angel ofיְהוָהHashemעַלbyעֵיןa spring ofהַמַּיִםthe waterבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessעַלbyהָעַיִןthe springבְּדֶרֶךְon the road toשׁוּר׃Shur

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וַיֹּאמַרAnd he saidהָגָרHagarשִׁפְחַתmaidservant ofשָׂרַיSaraiאֵיwhereמִזֶּהfrom thisבָאתdid you comeוְאָנָהand whereתֵלֵכִיare you goingוַתֹּאמֶרAnd she saidמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeשָׂרַיSaraiגְּבִרְתִּיmy mistressאָנֹכִיIבֹּרַחַת׃am fleeing

רַשִׁ״י

מזהfrom whereבאת.did you comeמֵהֵיכָןfrom whereבָּאת?did you comeיוֹדֵעknowingהָיָה,he wasאֶלָּאbutלִתֵּןto giveלָהּto herפֶּתַחan openingלִכָּנֵסto enterעִמָּהּwith herבִּדְבָרִים.into wordsוּלְשׁוֹןand the expressionאֵיwhere isמִזֶּה:from thisאַיֵּהwhere isהַמָּקוֹםthe placeשֶׁתֹּאמַרthat you will sayעָלָיוabout itמִזֶּהfrom thisאֲנִיIבָאָה?am coming

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidלָהּto herמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemשׁוּבִיreturnאֶלtoגְּבִרְתֵּךְyour mistressוְהִתְעַנִּיand submit yourselfתַּחַתunderיָדֶיהָ׃her hands

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרAnd he saidלהto herמלאךan angel ofוגו'.etc.עַלForכָּלeachאֲמִירָהstatementהָיָהthere wasשָׁלוּחַsentלָהּto herמַלְאָךְan angelאַחֵר,differentלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is saidמַלְאָךְangelבְּכָלin everyאֲמִירָהstatementוַאֲמִירָה:and statement

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidלָהּto herמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemהַרְבָּהgreatlyאַרְבֶּהI will multiplyאֶת—זַרְעֵךְyour offspringוְלֹאand notיִסָּפֵרit will be countedמֵרֹב׃from abundance

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidלָהּto herמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemהִנָּךְbehold youהָרָהare pregnantוְיֹלַדְתְּand shall bearבֵּןa sonוְקָרָאתand you shall callשְׁמוֹhis nameיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelכִּיforשָׁמַעhas heardיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoעָנְיֵךְ׃your suffering

רַשִׁ״י

הנךbehold youהרה.are pregnantכְּשֶׁתָּשׁוּבִיwhen you returnתַּהֲרִי,you will conceiveכְּמוֹjust asהִנָּךְbehold youהָרָהare pregnantדְאֵשֶׁתof the wife ofמָנוֹחַ:Manoach

רַשִׁ״י

וילדתand you shall bearבן.a sonכְּמוֹis likeוְיוֹלֶדֶת,and bearingוְדוֹמֶהand similarלוֹto itיֹשַׁבְתְּO you who dwellבַּלְּבָנוֹןin Lebanonמְקֻנַּנְתְּיnestedבָּאֲרָזִיםin the cedarsירמיהYirmeyahuכ"ב22:

רַשִׁ״י

וקראתAnd you shall callשמו.his nameצִוּוּיa commandהוּא,it isכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאוֹמֵרone saysלְזָכָרto a maleוְקָרָאתָand you shall callאֶת—שְׁמוֹhis nameיִצְחָקYitzchakבר'Bereshisי"זseventeen:

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וְהוּאand heיִהְיֶהwill beפֶּרֶאa wildאָדָםmanיָדוֹhis handבַכֹּלagainst everyoneוְיַדand the hand ofכֹּלeveryoneבּוֹagainst himוְעַלand overפְּנֵיthe face ofכָלallאֶחָיוhis brothersיִשְׁכֹּן׃he shall dwell

רַשִׁ״י

פראA wildאדם.manאוֹהֵבwho lovesמִדְבָּרוֹתwildernessesלָצוּדto huntחַיּוֹת,wild beastsכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁכָּתוּבthat is writtenוַיֵּשֶׁבand he dweltבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessוַיְהִיand he becameרֹבֶהan archerקַשָּׁתwith a bowבראשיתBereishisכ"אtwenty-one:

רַשִׁ״י

ידוhis handבכל.against everyoneלִסְטִים:a highwayman

רַשִׁ״י

וידand the hand ofכלeveryoneבו.against himהַכֹּלeveryoneשׂוֹנְאִיןhatesאוֹתוֹhimוּמִתְגָּרִיןand provokesבּוֹ:him

רַשִׁ״י

ועלAnd inפניthe presence ofכלall ofאחיוhis brethrenישכון.he shall dwellשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat will beזַרְעוֹhis offspringגָּדוֹלnumerousבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וַתִּקְרָאAnd she calledשֵׁםthe name ofיְהוָהHashemהַדֹּבֵרWho spokeאֵלֶיהָto herאַתָּהYouאֵלare G-d ofרֳאִיseeingכִּיforאָמְרָהshe saidהֲגַםhave I indeedהֲלֹםhereרָאִיתִיseenאַחֲרֵיafterרֹאִי׃my seeing

רַשִׁ״י

אתהYouאלare a Godראי.of seeingנָקוּדis punctuated withחֲטַףa chataphקָמָץ,kametzמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isשֵׁםa nounדָּבָר,·אֱלוֹהַּa Godהָרְאִיָּה,of seeingשֶׁרוֹאֶהWho seesבְעֶלְבּוֹןthe humiliationשֶׁלofעֲלוּבִין:the humiliated

רַשִׁ״י

הגםHave I alsoהלם.hereלְשׁוֹןan expression ofתֵּמַהּ;wonderוְכִיcould it beסְבוּרָהbelievingהָיִיתִיI wasשֶׁאַףthat evenהֲלוֹםhereבַּמִּדְבָּרוֹתin the wildernessesרָאִיתִיI sawשְׁלוּחוֹthe messenger ofשֶׁל·מָקוֹםthe Omnipresentאַחֲרֵיafterרֹאִיmy seeingאוֹתָםthemבְּבֵיתוֹin the houseשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamשֶׁשָּׁםwhere thereהָיִיתִיI wasרְגִילָהaccustomedלִרְאוֹתto seeמַלְאָכִים?angelsוְתֵדַעAnd you may knowשֶׁהָיְתָהthat she wasרְגִילָהaccustomedלִרְאוֹתָם,to see themשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdמָנוֹחַManoachרָאָהsawאֶת—הַמַּלְאָךְthe angelפַּעַםtimeאַחַתoneוְאָמַרand saidמוֹתsurelyנָמוּתwe shall dieשופ'Judgesי"ג13,וְזוֹand this oneרָאֲתָהsawד'fourזֶהoneאַחַרafterזֶהanotherוְלֹאand did notחָרְדָה:fear

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

עַלThereforeכֵּן·קָרָאhe calledלַבְּאֵרthe wellבְּאֵרBeerלַחַיlahaiרֹאִיroiהִנֵּהbehold it isבֵיןbetweenקָדֵשׁKadeshוּבֵיןand betweenבָּרֶד׃Bered

רַשִׁ״י

בארthe well ofלחי.the Living Oneכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:as its translation

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וַתֵּלֶדAnd she boreהָגָרHagarלְאַבְרָםto Avramבֵּןa sonוַיִּקְרָאand he calledאַבְרָםAvramשֶׁםthe name ofבְּנוֹhis sonאֲשֶׁרwhomיָלְדָהboreהָגָרHagarיִשְׁמָעֵאל׃Yishmael

רַשִׁ״י

ויקראAnd he calledאברםAbramשםthe nameוגו'.etc.אַעַ"פִּEven thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notשָׁמַעheardאַבְרָםAbramדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהַמַּלְאָךְthe angelשֶׁאָמַרwho saidוְקָרָאתand you shall callשְׁמוֹhis nameיִשְׁמָעֵאל,Yishmaelשָׁרְתָהrestedרוּחַthe Spirit ofהַקֹּדֶשׁHolinessעָלָיוupon himוּקְרָאוֹand he called himיִשְׁמָעֵאל:Yishmael

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וְאַבְרָםAnd Avramבֶּןwas a son ofשְׁמֹנִיםeightyשָׁנָהyearsוְשֵׁשׁand sixשָׁנִיםyearsבְּלֶדֶתat the bearing ofהָגָרHagarאֶת—יִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelלְאַבְרָם׃to Avram

רַשִׁ״י

ואברםAnd Avramבןwas a son ofשמוניםeightyוגו'.etc.לְשִׁבְחוֹto the praiseשֶׁלofיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelנִכְתַּב,it was writtenלְהוֹדִיעַto make knownשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasבֶּןa son ofי"גthirteenשָׁנָהyearsכְּשֶׁנִּמּוֹלwhen he was circumcisedוְלֹאand he did notעִכֵּב:object

פָּסוּק לב

Pasuk 32

וַיְהִיAnd it wasאַבְרָםAvramבֶּןthe son ofתִּשְׁעִיםninetyשָׁנָהyearsוְתֵשַׁעand nineשָׁנִיםyearsוַיֵּרָאand appearedיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoאַבְרָםAvramוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidאֵלָיוto himאֲנִיI amאֵלG-dשַׁדַּיShaddaiהִתְהַלֵּךְwalkלְפָנַיbefore Meוֶהְיֵהand beתָמִים׃wholehearted

רַשִׁ״י

שׁדי.AlmightyאֲנִיIהוּאam Heשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasדַּיsufficiencyבֶּאֱלֹהוּתִיin My Godshipלְכָלfor everyבְּרִיָּה,creatureלְפִיכָךְthereforeהִתְהַלֵּךְwalkלְפָנַיbefore Meוְאֶהְיֶהand I will beלְךָto youלֶאֱלוֹהַּfor a Godולְפַטְרוֹן;and for a patronוְכֵןand likewiseכָּלeveryמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁהוּאthat itבַּמִּקְרָאis in Scriptureפֵּרוּשׁוֹits explanationכָּךְ:is thusדַּיsufficiencyשֶׁלּוֹ,of Hisוְהַכֹּלand everythingלְפִיis according toהָעִנְיָן:the context

רַשִׁ״י

התהלךWalkלפני.before Meכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targumפְּלַחworshipקֳדָמַי,before Meהִדַּבֵּקcleaveבַּעֲבוֹדָתִי:to My service

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd beתמים.perfectאַףevenזֶהthisצִוּוּיa commandאַחַרafterצִוּוּי,a commandהֱיֵהbeשָׁלֵםwhole-heartedבְּכָלin allנִסְיוֹנוֹתַי;my trialsוּלְפִיand according toמִדְרָשׁוֹits Midrashהִתְהַלֵּךְwalkלְפָנַיbefore Meבְּמִצְוַתwith the mitzvah ofמִילָה,circumcisionוּבַדָּבָרand through this thingהַזֶּהthisתִהְיֶהyou will beתָּמִים,perfectשֶׁכָּלfor allזְמַןthe timeשֶׁהָעָרְלָהthat the foreskinבְךָis in youאַתָּהyouבַּעַלare a possessor ofמוּםa blemishלְפָנַי.before MeדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationוֶהְיֵהand beתָמִים,perfectעַכְשָׁוnowאַתָּהyouחָסֵרlackה'fiveאֵבָרִים,organsב'twoעֵינַיִם,eyesב'twoאָזְנַיִם,earsוְרֹאשׁand the head ofהַגְּוִיָּהthe bodyשֶׁאוֹסִיףthat I will addלְךָto youאוֹתa letterעַלuponשִׁמְךָ,your nameוְיִהְיוּand will beמִנְיַןthe number ofאוֹתִיּוֹתֶיךָyour lettersרמ"ח248כְּמִנְיַןcorresponding to the number ofאֵבָרֶיךָ:your limbs

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וְאֶתְּנָהand I will establishבְרִיתִיMy covenantבֵּינִיbetween Meוּבֵינֶךָand between youוְאַרְבֶּהand I will multiplyאוֹתְךָyouבִּמְאֹדexceedinglyמְאֹד׃exceedingly

רַשִׁ״י

ואתנהAnd I will makeבריתי.My covenantבְּרִיתa covenantשֶׁלofאַהֲבָהloveוּבְרִיתand a covenant ofהָאָרֶץthe landלְהוֹרִישָׁהּto give it as an inheritanceלְךָto youעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofמִצְוָהthe mitzvahזוֹ:this

פָּסוּק לד

Pasuk 34

וַיִּפֹּלAnd he fellאַבְרָםAvramעַלuponפָּנָיוhis faceוַיְדַבֵּרand spokeאִתּוֹwith himאֱלֹהִיםGodלֵאמֹר׃saying

רַשִׁ״י

ויפלAnd he fellאברםAvramעלuponפניו.his faceמִמּוֹרָאfrom fear ofהַשְּׁכִינָה;the Shechinahשֶׁעַדfor untilשֶׁלֹּאthat notמָלhe circumcisedלֹאnotהָיָהwasבוֹin himכֹחַstrengthלַעֲמֹדto standוְרוּחand the Spirit ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe Holinessנִצֶּבֶתstandingעָלָיו,over himוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidבְּבִלְעָםregarding Bilamנֹפֵלfallenוּגְלוּיand with openעֵינָיִם,eyesבִּבְרַיְתָאin the Baraithaדְרַבִּיof Rabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶר:Eliezer

פָּסוּק לה

Pasuk 35

אֲנִיIהִנֵּהbeholdבְרִיתִיMy covenantאִתָּךְis with youוְהָיִיתָand you shall beלְאַבfor a father ofהֲמוֹןa multitude ofגּוֹיִם׃nations

פָּסוּק לו

Pasuk 36

וְלֹאand notיִקָּרֵאshall be calledעוֹדanymoreאֶת—שִׁמְךָyour nameאַבְרָםAvramוְהָיָהand shall beשִׁמְךָyour nameאַבְרָהָםAvrahamכִּיforאַבa father ofהֲמוֹןa multitude ofגּוֹיִםnationsנְתַתִּיךָ׃I have made you

רַשִׁ״י

כיforאבa father ofהמוןa multitude ofגוים.nationsלְשׁוֹןan expression ofנוֹטָרִיקוֹןan acrosticשֶׁלofשְׁמוֹ;his nameוְרֵי"שand the reshשֶׁהָיְתָהthat wasבוֹin itבַּתְּחִלָּה,initiallyשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיָהhe wasאָבa fatherאֶלָּאexceptלַאֲרָםto Aramשֶׁהוּאwhich isמְקוֹמוֹhis placeוְעַכְשָׁוand nowאָבa fatherלְכָלto all ofהָעוֹלָם,the worldלֹאdid notזָזָהmoveמִמְּקוֹמָהּ,from its placeשֶׁאַףfor evenיוֹ"דthe yudשֶׁלofשָׂרַיSaraiנִתְרָעֲמָהcomplainedעַלtoהַשְּׁכִינָהthe Divine Presenceעַדuntilשֶׁנִּתּוֹסְפָהit was addedלִיהוֹשֻׁעַ,to Yehoshuaשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוַיִּקְרָאand calledמֹשֶׁהMosheלְהוֹשֵׁעַto Hosheaבִּןson ofנוּןNunיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבמדברBamidbarי"ג13:

פָּסוּק לז

Pasuk 37

וְהִפְרֵתִיAnd I will make fertileאֹתְךָ— youבִּמְאֹדexceedinglyמְאֹדexceedinglyוּנְתַתִּיךָand I will make youלְגוֹיִםinto nationsוּמְלָכִיםand kingsמִמְּךָfrom youיֵצֵאוּ׃shall come forth

רַשִׁ״י

ונתתיךand I will make youלגוים.into nationsיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelוֶאֱדוֹם,and Edomשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelכְּבָרalreadyהָיָהwasלוֹ,to himוְלֹאand notהָיָהwas Heמְבַשְּׂרוֹannouncing to himעָלָיו:concerning him

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the Bris Bein HaBesarim, where Hashem seals His promise of the land to Avram's offspring, foretelling the four hundred years of exile and the eventual judgment of their oppressors. Following this, Sarai gives Hagar to Avram; when Hagar conceives, she begins to treat Sarai lightly, prompting Sarai to deal harshly with her until Hagar flees. In the desert, malachim find Hagar, instruct her to return and submit to Sarai, and promise her a son named Yishmael who will be a wild man. The aliyah concludes with Avram at ninety-nine years old, where Hashem changes his name to Avraham as a sign of the covenant and promises to make him the father of a multitude of nations.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In this parsha, we see the incredible, heavy moment of the Bris Bein HaBesarim. Hashem promises Avraham Avinu the land, but first, a dark dread falls over him: "Know well that your offspring shall be strangers in a land not theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed." Lichoira, this is a terrifying kasha. Why must the path to the promised inheritance go through four hundred years of painful exile and servitude? The Torah is teaching us a fundamental yesod in how Hashem runs the world: the greatest, most enduring spiritual realities are only built through process, struggle, and patience.

We see this same theme play out with Sarai. She is barren, waiting and hoping, and finally tries to build her family through Hagar, which leads to immense pain and domestic strife. Nothing comes easily. Even when Hashem promises greatness, the derech is paved with nisyonos, waiting, and deep darkness before the light of the "flaming torch" finally breaks through. We often want our spiritual growth, our parnassah, or our shalom bayis to be instant and smooth. But the Tanna is telling us that the "exile", the struggle and the waiting, is actually the very crucible that refines us to be fit to receive the ultimate bracha.

When you face a situation today that feels dark, stagnant, or filled with struggle, do not lose your emunah or think Hashem has chas v'shalom abandoned you. The darkness is not a sign of failure; it is the "dark dread" of the covenant, the necessary preparation before the great light.

Today, when you encounter a frustration, a delay, or a difficult struggle in your avodas Hashem or daily life, stop and say to yourself: "This difficulty is the process of my growth. Hashem is preparing me for the bracha that is surely coming."