Parshas Vayechi

"I'm really sorry. I tried helping him get up, but didn't realize that
his arm was broken. I guess I made it worse."

Yaacov had four wives, Rochel, Leah, Bilha, and Zilpa. He kept his
belongings in Rochel's tent. After she died, Yaacov moved his things to
Bilha's tent. Reuvain, for the honor of his mother Leah, moved Yaacov's
possessions to Leah's tent. When Yaacov blessed his sons before his death,
he took away the firstborn privileges from Reuvain, because, referring to
this incident, said Reuvain was "unstable as water" i.e.. he acted
impulsively !! (Biraishi 49:4)

Good intentions are a great starting point!!

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom

Dear Rabbi Flom,
Bottom line: did he do a good thing? If yes why was he punished?
Tzivy

Tzivy, no he didn't do a good thing, otherwise he wouldn't have been punished.

Dear Tzivy,
Even though one SHOULD have good intentions, that isn't enough. If someone with good intentions does something bad (i.e. Reuvain)he can get punished.
Thanks.
Rabbi Flom

Good intentions are a great starting point!!

Dear Rabbi Flom,
Did you really mean to say "the road to Gehinnom is paved with good intentions"?

Dear Eli,
"The road to Gehinom is paved with good intentions" was a thought that went thru many people's minds, INCLUDING MY OWN. I did not use that phrase because it could imply that good intentions are worthless, and that isn't true. Good intentions are important, but you must have your brain turned "on", otherwise you can get into trouble.
Take care.
Rabbi Flom

quote:

Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
Parshas Vayechi


said Reuvain was "unstable as water" i.e.. he acted
impulsively !! (Biraishi 49:4)

Good intentions are a great starting point!!

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom

Reuven was also guilty of sleeping with one of his fathers concubines, wasn't he?

NO !!! The whole thought that I mentioned, that Reuvain switched Yaacov's bed out of Bilha's tent to Leah's tent, is based on Chazal (Shabbos 55b)was what happened and not that Reuvain actually slept with Bilha. Rashi, Ramban, Rabbeinu Bachya,Chizkuni, etc.,quote this Chazal as being pshat in the posuk, and this is the generally accepted postition. The reason is, the next part of that posuk says "and the children of Yaacov were 12" which implies "equal", and certainly if he had actually slept with her, he would have been disowned. The Torah wrote it in such a strong manner, to show the severity of the matter.
Thanks for the note.
Rabbi Flom