Reference for Bava Batra 245:14
מאי קדמתה לאה ברחמים דכתיב (בראשית כט, יז) ועיני לאה רכות מאי רכות אילימא רכות ממש אפשר בגנות בהמה טמאה לא דבר הכתוב דכתיב (בראשית ז, ח) מן הבהמה הטהורה ומן הבהמה אשר איננה טהורה בגנות צדיקים דבר הכתוב אלא א"ר אלעזר שמתנותיה ארוכות
Scripture said, Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon shall be mine.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Gen. XLVIII, 5. Reuben and Simeon were two separate tribes, and Joseph was promised two shares as if he represented two distinct tribes. ');"><sup>24</sup></span> R. Helbo enquired of R. Samuel b. Nahmani: What [reason] did Jacob see for taking away the birthright from Reuben and giving it to Joseph? — What did he see? [Surely] it is written, Forasmuch as he defiled his father's couch! But, [this is the question]: What [reason] did he see for giving it to Joseph? — Let me give you a parable. This thing may be compared<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'to what is the thing like'. ');"><sup>25</sup></span>
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