Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Reference for Berakhot 32:14

אבות מאי טעמא אילימא משום דלא ידעינן אי מראובן קא אתינן אי משמעון קא אתינן אי הכי אמהות נמי לא ידעינן אי מרחל קא אתינן אי מלאה קא אתינן אלא עד הכא חשיבי טפי לא חשיבי

Why is the name "Patriarch" [restricted to three]? Is it because we are not certain whether we are descended from Reuben or Simeon ? If so, in the case of the Matriarchs we are not certain whether we are descended from Rachel or Leah ! But up to here they were esteemed sufficiently [to be called "Patriarchs"] ; their successors were not so esteemed.

Explore reference for Berakhot 32:14. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.

Previous VerseFull ChapterNext Verse