Derasha 2 on Bereishis 32:15

TT #5 · 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 the same classical discussion of the ratios (Bereshit Rabbah / related).

Core Text of Chazal

פרות ארבעים ופרים עשרה – חד לארבע; אתנות עשרים ועירים עשרה – חד לתרי, דאינון לאי.

Forty cows and ten bulls — one for four; twenty jennies and ten jackasses — one for two, for they toil more.

On the daf / in context

The ratios continue: larger animals require fewer females per male because of greater labor.

Type of Learning

Derash on the numbers (continuation) — natural ratios adjusted by the animal’s burden of work.

What Is Learned

The proportions of the gift reflect both species and the degree of labor each type of animal performs.