Gehinom
Parsha Pages | December 17, 2023
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בראשית מה ,ט : רְ דָה אֵלַי אַל־תַעֲמֹד
The Baal haTurim observes the word רדה (come down to Mitzrayim) also appears in Yechezkel (32:19) when HaShem ordered Nevuchadnetzar "Redah ve'Hashk'voh es Areilim" (to go and lie with the uncircumcised) - in Gehinom (Hell). This teaches us that Galus is comparable to Gehinom.
It is suggested that HaShem offered Yaacov a choice: “Choose one of these for your descendants, exile or Gehinom. This is reminiscent of the Medrash (in connection with the B'ris bein ha'Besarim), which relates how HaShem gave Avrohom the option of choosing between Gehinom and Galus for his descendents (should they sin), and that he chose Galus.

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