Reuven and Bilhah/2
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Reuven and Bilhah
Exegetical Approaches
Sexual Desire
Reuven's act was one of promiscuity.
Sources:Jubilees, Testaments of the Patriarchs, R. Eliezer and R. Yehoshua in Bavli Shabbat, Bereshit Rabbah, Ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Radak, Ralbag
"וַיִּשְׁכַּב אֶת בִּלְהָה" – These sources read this phrase simply to mean that Reuven had relations with Bilhah.
Why now? According to both Jubilees and the Testaments, Reuven happened to see Bilhah while she was bathing and was overcome by desire. This fact is absent from the Biblical text and is likely influenced by the similar story of David and Batsheva where this background is explicit.
וַיִּהְיוּ בְנֵי יַעֲקֹב שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר – Ibn Ezra, R"Y Bekhor Shor, and Radak all suggest that this verse closes the episode. According to Ibn Ezra, after Reuven's deed, Yaakov no longer had relations with any of his wives. Bilhah had been tainted, Rachel had died, and Leah and her maidservant Zilpah were abhorrent due to their connection to Reuven.
Punishment
Power Play
Reuven's deed was a power play, intended to protect Reuven's status as first born.
Concern for Mother's Honor
Reuven prevented his father from having relations with Bilhah but did not sleep with her himself. He was motivated by concern for his mother's honor.
