Reuven and Bilhah/2

Reuven and Bilhah

Exegetical Approaches

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Sexual Desire

Reuven's relations with Bilhah were motivated by sexual desire.

Sources:Jubilees33About Jubilees, Testaments of the PatriarchsReuven 1Reuven 3Reuven 4About Testaments of the Patriarchs, ?? in Bavli ShabbatShabbat 55bAbout the Bavli, ?? in Bereshit Rabbah87:598:4About Bereshit Rabbah, Ibn EzraBereshit Third Commentary 35:22Bereshit Third Commentary 49:3-4About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorBereshit 35:22Bereshit 49:3-4About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RadakBereshit 35:22Bereshit 49:3-4About R. David Kimchi, RalbagBereshit Beur HaMilot 49:3-4Bereshit Beur HaParashah 35:22Bereshit Toalot 35:22Bereshit Toalot 49:4About R. Levi b. Gershom

Power Play

Reuven's act was a power play, intended to protect Reuven's status as first born.

Sources:RambanBereshit 35:22Bereshit 49:3-4About R. Moshe b. Nachman, R. David Zvi HoffmannBereshit 35:22About R. David Zvi Hoffmann

Concern for Mother's Honor