In Vayeishev, when Tamar's twins were born, the one baby stuck his hand out during labor, and the midwife tied a string around it to show that that was the firstborn (see 38:28). (The baby actually stuck its hand back inside Tamar and the other baby came out first.
It seems that this pasuk is hinting to a certain halacha. See Kiddushin 74a: "Rav Nachman says: Three people are beleived to tell us which child is the firstborn: the widwife, mother and father. The midwife is believed [only] immediately [after birth], the mother for seven days [as Rashi says until the Bris] and the father forever."
Here the midwife immediately took steps to identify the firstborn - because, as midwife, that is the only time she has neemanus to do so.
Showing posts with label Parshas Vayeishev. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parshas Vayeishev. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
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