Toldot: Isaac Trembled

(30) And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. (31) And he also made savoury food, and brought it unto his father; and he said unto his father: ‘Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.’ (32) And Isaac his father said unto him: ‘Who art thou?’ And he said: ‘I am thy son, thy first-born, Esau.’ (33) And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said: ‘Who then is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.’ (34) When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said unto his father: ‘Bless me, even me also, O my father.’ (35) And he said: ‘Thy brother came with guile, and hath taken away thy blessing.’

(5) And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.

(2) For all these things hath My hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith the LORD; but on this man will I look, even on him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word. (3) He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he broke a dog’s neck; He that offereth a meal-offering, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that maketh a memorial-offering of frankincense, as if he blessed an idol; according as they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations; (4) Even so I will choose their mockings, And will bring their fears upon them; Because when I called, none did answer; When I spoke, they did not hear, But they did that which was evil in Mine eyes, And chose that in which I delighted not. (5) Hear the word of the LORD, Ye that tremble at His word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for My name’s sake, have said: ‘Let the LORD be glorified, That we may gaze upon your joy’, But they shall be ashamed.

He trembled: As its translation [in Targum Yonatan]: "he was astonished," the language of surprise. And the midrash is that he saw Hell opened up under him.

(42) Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been on my side, surely now hadst thou sent me away empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and gave judgment yesternight.’

(1) And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her: ‘My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? (2) And now is there not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor. (3) Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor; but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. (4) And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.’ (5) And she said unto her: ‘All that thou sayest unto me I will do.’ (6) And she went down unto the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her. (7) And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. (8) And it came to pass at midnight, that the man trembled, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. (9) And he said: ‘Who art thou?’ And she answered: ‘I am Ruth thine handmaid; spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.’ (10) And he said: ‘Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter; thou hast shown more kindness in the end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou didst not follow the young men, whether poor or rich. (11) And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the men in the gate of my people do know that thou art a virtuous woman. (12) And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. (13) Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part; but if he be not willing to do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth; lie down until the morning.’ (14) And she lay at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before one could discern another. For he said: ‘Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.’ (15) And he said: ‘Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it’; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; and he went into the city. (16) And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said: ‘Who art thou, my daughter?’ And she told her all that the man had done to her. (17) And she said: ‘These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me: Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.’ (18) Then said she: ‘Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing this day.’

(22) An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression. (23) A man’s pride shall bring him low; but he that is of a lowly spirit shall attain to honour. (24) Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing. (25) The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be set up on high. (26) Many seek the ruler’s favour; but a man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.

(1) And Isaac feared a great fear. It is written (Proverbs 29:25) "Man's fear will be a trap but the one who trusts G-d will be raised".

"Fear": that Ruth frightened Boaz, at it is said (Ruth 3:8) "the man was startled, and turned himself". "Will be a trap": In truth, he should have cursed her, but "the one who trusts G-d will be raised". He gave in his heart and blessed her, and said: "Blessed are you to G-d, my daughter".

"Fear," that Yaakov frightened Itzhak, as it is said: "And Itzhak feared a very great fear. "Will be a trap": he should have cursed him, but "the one who trusts G-d will be raised". And he said: "He will also be blessed".

(2) And Itzhak feared a great fear etc. - Rabbi Hama bar Hanina said: very, more than the fear he feared on the altar. [Isaac] said: Who has become a broker between me and the Place [i.e. God], to cause Yaacov to take the blessings? He said it about Rivka.

Rabbi Yochanan said: When one has two sons, one went out and one came in, will he fear?! Rather, when Esav entered to his father, hell entered with him.

Rabbi Acha said: The walls of the house started to shake. This what he said: "Who, where", who is it that will be baked here, me, or my son, Yaakov?

Said God: Not you, nor your son, but the one hunting game.