Vayeishev 38:27 · EXTRA

EXTRA · Parashas Vayeishev · Passuk 38:27 · not a Torah Temimah citation on this passuk

The Complete Passuk

וַיְהִ֖י בְּעֵ֣ת לִדְתָּ֑הּ וְהִנֵּ֥ה תְאוֹמִ֖ים בְּבִטְנָֽהּ׃

When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb!

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Classical source (EXTRA side-ring): Bereshis Rabbah 85:13.

Sefaria — Bereshis Rabbah 85:13

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
וַיְהִי בְּעֵת לִדְתָּהּ וְהִנֵּה תְאוֹמִים — כָּאן מְלֵאִים, לְהַלָּן חֲסֵרִים: פֶּרֶץ וְזֶרַח שְׁנֵיהֶם צַדִּיקִים.

English: “And it was at the time of her giving birth, and behold, twins” — here [the spelling is] full; elsewhere deficient: for Peretz and Zerach were both righteous.

In context: Full spelling of te’omim marks the righteousness of both twins, in contrast to earlier twin births.

Type of Learning

Derash on the verse (Bereshis Rabbah) — not a formal named middah of the 13. Orthography is tied to the character of the children.

What Is Learned

The full writing of “twins” signals that both Peretz and Zerach stood in righteousness.