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B"H
QUESTION: Why is Serah, the daughter of Asher, numbered among the male descendants of Jacob (Bamidbar 26:46), when obviously there were other females and daughters born unto Jacob's sons? Why was it so important to mention her, above all the other women who went unnamed? (Although the mother of Moses is also named in that chapter, this was only because of the honor due to Moses and Aaron.) ANSWER: Serah, the daughter of Asher, is mentioned in the words of the Sages in several places. One is in the Yemenite, "Midrash Ha-Gadol;" the other, in the book, "Sefer Ha-Yashar." In the "Midrash Ha-Gadol" (Section "Vayegash") it says that when Joseph had revealed himself unto his brothers in Egypt, and had sent them back to their father in the land of Canaan with chariots from Pharoah, Joseph's brothers were afraid to break the news to their aged father that Joseph was still alive and that he was in Egypt, lest at hearing the news he should die. They requested from Serah, the daughter of Asher, that she would break the good news to their father. She then waited till Jacob stood up to pray unto his G-d. At this time, she came before him and began to ask herself outloud, and with astonishment, "Joseph is in Egypt?! Upon his knees were born unto him Menashe and Ephraim?!!" (These words rhyme in Hebrew: Yoseph bemitzrayim? Yiwaledhu lo 'al birkayim? Menashe we-Ephrayim? ) When Jacob overheard these words, his spirit slowly began to return unto him as before. When he finished his prayer, he turned around and saw the chariots that were sent by Pharoah. Then he believed her words, and his spirit was awakened at the time. In the book, "Sefer Ha-Yashar" it says that when the sons of Jacob returned to the land of Canaan, they worried about how they should break the good news to their father, Jacob, fearing that he would be so alarmed and would refuse to listen to them. When they approached their houses, they found Serah, the daughter of Asher, coming out to greet them. She was of a goodly countenance, and wise, and knew how to play upon the viol. They called unto her and she came unto them and kissed them. They then brought her hurriedly into their houses and gave unto her a viol, saying, "Please, go unto our father and sit down before him, and pluck upon the viol while singing these words that we say to you." She then went before Jacob and began to play beautifully upon the viol, and while playing, she asked herself calmly: "My Uncle Joseph is alive?! Does he rule in all the land of Egypt?! Neither is he dead?!" She continued doing this over, and over again, speaking these same words, and Jacob heard her words and they were pleasing unto him. He listened as she repeated these words two or three times [more], until at length, happiness had come into the heart of Jacob at hearing her pleasant words, and the spirit of G-d rested upon him. He realized that all of her words were true. Jacob then blessed Serah, at her speaking such words before him, and said to her: "My daughter! May death never rule over you, for you have rejuvenated my spirit! Only, I would that you speak these words again before me, for you have made me happy by these words." She then began to play [the viol] once again, and Jacob listened attentively, and was gladdened thereby, and the spirit of G-d came upon him. While he was yet speaking with her, his sons came unto him with horses and chariots, and royal clothing, and servants that ran before them. Jacob rose up before them and saw his sons dressed in royal clothing, and saw all the good things that Joseph had sent unto them. They then said unto him: "Be informed with good tidings that Joseph our brother is alive, and that he rules in all the land of Egypt! He is the one who had spoken all those things that we had said unto you!" Jacob listened to the words of his sons, and his heart slowly revived at their words, for he did not believe them until he had seen all those things that Joseph had given to them, and that he had sent unto him." In short, the Rabbis say that Serah went directly into paradise during her lifetime, without suffering death. |
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