Shabbos 55b: (a) (R. Shmuel bar Nachmani): If one says that Reuven sinned [like the verse says that he had relations with Bilhah], he errs!
- "Va'Yihyu Venei Yaacov Shneim Asar" teaches that all 12 sons of Yaacov were equal. (All were absolute Tzadikim);
- Question: If so, how do we explain "va'Yishkav Es Bilhah Pilegesh Aviv"?
- Answer: This teaches that he moved his father's bed. The Torah considers it as if he had relations with her. (Maharsha - he thought that she was permitted to him, for Kidushin does not apply to slaves. He did not realize that when Rachel gave her to Yaacov, this freed her.)
(b) (Beraisa - R. Shimon ben Elazar): Reuven [was tempted, but] refrained from the sin. Had he sinned, the Torah would not have commanded his Shevet to stand on Har Eival and answer Amen to "Arur Shochev Im Eshes Aviv"!
- Question: If so, how do we explain "va'Yishkav Es Bilhah Pilegesh Aviv"?
- Answer: He protested the insult to his mother. 'If Rachel was a Tzarah (competitor) to my mother (Yaacov's used to leave his bed in Rachel's tent. After she died, Yaacov put it in Bilhah's tent), will her Shifchah be a Tzarah to my mother?!' Therefore, he disturbed the bed.
(c) Others say, he disturbed two beds, of the Shechinah and of Yaacov - "Alisa Mishkevei Avicha Az Chilalta Yetzu'i Alah." (The Shechinah used to dwell on Yaacov's bed. Alternatively, we expound Mishkevei (plural).)
(d) Tana'im argue about whether or not he had relations with her;
- (Beraisa - R. Eliezer): "PaChaZ ka'Mayim At Tosar" is an acronym for Pazasah (you were hasty), Chavtah (you became liable) Zalsah (you disgraced);
- R. Yehoshua says, Pasatah Al Das (you overstepped the law), Chatasah (you sinned), Zanisah (you had illicit relations);
- R. Gamliel says, Pilaltah (you prayed to be saved from sinning), Chalsah (you made yourself sick to overcome your urge to sin), Zarchah Tefilasecha (your prayer succeeded).
- R. Gamliel: We need the opinion of R. Eliezer ha'Moda'i! (It is the best.)
- R. Eliezer ha'Moda'i says, we reverse the word and expound it - Zazatah (you were agitated), Hirtatah (you withdrew), Parchah Chet Mimecha (sin fled from you).
(e) (Rava): [We can reverse the word and expound] Zacharta Onsho Shel Davar (you remembered the punishment for Zenus), Chalisa (you made yourself very sick), Pirashta mi'Lachato (you refrained from sinning).
The Midrash (Rabbah, Bereishis 84:19) asks, "Where had Reuven been?" Rabbi Eliezer said he was taken up with his fasting and sack cloth, and when he became free, he went to look in the pit. This is derived from the expression, "Vayashav Reuven" which can be interpreted to mean, "And Reuven repented."
The reason for his repenting was because he tampered with his father's bed (ibid 35:22). When Rachel died, Yaakov took up residence in the tent of Bilhah. Reuven, who acted virtuously in defending his mother's honor, moved his father's bed to his mother's tent. When Yaakov reprimanded him for this, he realized that his acting hastily was incorrect, and began the process of repentance. The Midrash continues, "HaShem said, 'No man has hitherto repented after sinning before Me, and you are the first who has repented. As you live, your descendant will stand forth and be the first to urge repentance.' To whom does this allude? To Hoshea, who cried out, 'Shuvah Yisrael ad HaShem Elokecha ki chashalta ba'avonecha' - 'Return, O Israel, to G-d your G-d for you have stumbled through your iniquity.' "
Torah Temimah
Yaacov had a bed in each of his four wives’ tents. He would see the Shechinah above which tent he would go that night. Thus, the word beds were plural. Also, the word את indicates the Shechinah (no beginning and no end). Reuven misunderstood and thought that Bilhah was still a maidservant and her children would not be Jews (go after the mother). Thus, additional children needed to come from his mother, Leah to complete the prophecy of 12 sons. However, Zilpah and Bilhah had been freed and converted prior to marrying Yaacov and their 4 children were Jews and were counted toward the 12 sons.
Ramban
Possibly, Reuven disturbed the bed of Bilhah because he feared that she might birth again from Yaacov. He was particularly concerned since this would affect his double portion of inheritance. For this reason the first-born status was taken from him, measure for measure.
Zohar
Reuven spent many nights in Bilhah’s bed in order that Yaacov would not be with Bilhah due to embarrassment, as indicated by use of the plural word “beds”.
Sefer HaYashar
After the death of Rochel, Yaacov placed his bed in the tent of Bilhah. On behalf of the honor of his mother, Reuven moved the bed to the tent of Leah.
Tosfos
Reuven took the white of an egg and placed in the bed of Bilhah so that Yaacov would not be with Bilhah (thinking she committed adultery). Yaacov thought to remove Reuven from the count of his sons. However, after investigation it was determined that Reuven had used the white of the egg, and Torah recounts that Yaacov had 12 sons.
Rokeach
Reuven went upon the bed on Bilhah in front of many people to demonstrate that Yaacov should not lie in that bed. So Yaacov made another bed for Bilhah, and Reuven lied down in that bed also.
Rabenu Efraim
The verse refers to Yaacov that he went to Bilhah. In response, Reuven הולך (fled) the Jewish camp. When Yaacov hear this, he found Reuven and reassured him and returned him to the camp. Thus, once again there were 12 sons to Yaacov. Once a chasid told this explanation in public, and that night Reuven appeared to him in a dream and kissed him on the head, since he revealed the truth about Reuven.
Iyun Yaacov
Reuven “only” had Yichud with Bilhah. Yaacov was stringent upon himself and divorced Bilhah.
HaKasav V’haKabalah
Reuven went among the people of the city and spread rumors about Bilhah that she was still a maidservant and not really married to Yaacov. He still thought she was a maidservant since out of her modesty she still did all the work in the camp of a maidservant. Yaacov heard the rumors.
R’ Shimshon Hirsch
After Rochel died, Yaacov withdrew from all his wives. Reuven slept in the tent of Bilhah to show Yaacov that the sons were concerned about Yaacov’s withdrawal from the family. Reuven’s plan was for Yaacov to be comforted in the company of his mother, Leah. However, Yaacov remained separated from his wives and the sons stayed at 12.
Rosh
Reuven laid in Bilhah's bed for many nights, so that Yaacov would be too embarrassed to do so. He meant it for the good, as the Gemara in Shabbos (55b) quotes him as having said 'If my mother's sister was my mother's rival, should my mother's sister's maidservant also become my mother's rival?' And what's more, he did it only because "the sons of Yaacov were twelve" (i.e. all the children that Yaacov was destined to father had been born). This may not have been permitted, but Chalilah, that a son of Yaacov should be guilty of incest!
