Vayeishev 38:7 · unit 1

Parashas Vayeishev · Passuk 38:7

The Complete Passuk

וַיְהִ֗י עֵ֚ר בְּכ֣וֹר יְהוּדָ֔ה רַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיְמִתֵ֖הוּ יְהֹוָֽה׃

And Er, Yehudah’s first-born, was wicked in the sight of Hashem; and Hashem slew him.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Yevamos 34b.

Sefaria — Yevamos 34b

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
רַע בְּעֵינֵי ה׳ — אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שֶׁהָיָה חוֹרֵשׁ בַּגַּגּוֹת.

English: “Wicked in the sight of Hashem” — Rabbi Yochanan said: that he would plough on the roofs (i.e., practice unnatural relations).

On the daf / in context: Yevamos 34b explains the nature of Er’s wickedness that led to his death.

Type of Learning

Derash on the verse (Bavli sugya) — not a formal named middah of the 13. The undefined “wickedness” is specified by the Amora as a particular form of misconduct.

What Is Learned

Er’s wickedness consisted of unnatural relations. This is the reason Hashem put him to death.