Derasha 1 on Bereishis 33:2

TT #25 · Parashas Vayishlach · Passuk 33:2

Complete Passuk

וַיָּ֧שֶׂם אֶת־הַשְּׁפָח֛וֹת וְאֶת־יַלְדֵיהֶ֖ן רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה וְאֶת־לֵאָ֤ה וִילָדֶ֙יהָ֙ אַחֲרֹנִ֔ים וְאֶת־רָחֵ֥ל וְאֶת־יוֹסֵ֖ף אַחֲרֹנִֽים׃

And he placed the maidservants and their children first, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Yosef last.

Chabad · Genesis 33:2

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Bereshit Rabbah 78:8.

Sefaria · Bereshit Rabbah 78:8

Core Text of Chazal

וישם את השפחות ואת ילדיהן ראשונה — אחורנית, כדי שיפגעו בהן תחילה.

“And he placed the maidservants and their children first” — at the rear, so that they would be encountered first.

On the daf / in context

The Midrash notes the protective arrangement of the family in the order of approach.

Type of Learning

Derash on the order of placement (Bereshit Rabbah).

What Is Learned

Yaakov arranged his family so that those of lower status would meet Eisav first, protecting Rachel and Yosef.