Derasha 1 on Bereishis 32:15

TT #4 · Parashas Vayishlach · Passuk 32:15

Complete Passuk

עִזִּ֣ים מָאתַ֔יִם וּתְיָשִׁ֖ים עֶשְׂרִ֑ים רְחֵלִ֥ים מָאתַ֖יִם וְאֵילִ֥ים עֶשְׂרִֽים׃

Two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats; two hundred ewes and twenty rams.

Chabad · Genesis 32:15

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Bereshit Rabbah 76:7 (and parallel in the Bavli on mating ratios).

Sefaria · Bereshit Rabbah 76:7

Core Text of Chazal

א"ר אליעזר: כדרך הארץ שלח לו, עזים מאתים ותישים עשרים – חד לעשרה; רחלים מאתים ואילים עשרים – חד לעשרה.

Rabbi Eliezer said: He sent to him according to the way of the world: two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats — one for ten; two hundred ewes and twenty rams — one for ten.

On the daf / in context

The Midrash notes that Yaakov’s gift proportions reflect natural mating ratios: one male for ten females among goats and sheep.

Type of Learning

Derash on the numbers (Bereshit Rabbah) — practical observation of natural ratios.

What Is Learned

Yaakov arranged the gift according to the ordinary ratios of males to females in the flock.