daf bit: Bava Batra 123

[cellio]

R. Helbo asked: what reason did Yaakov have for giving the birthright (a double portion) to Yosef instead of to Reuven, the eldest? R. Shmuel ben Nachmani said: because Reuven sinned against his father. But that answers only half the question (why not Reuven) -- why Yosef? R. Yonatan said: because the birthright should have emanated from Rachel (Yosef's mother), not Leah, as it is written: "these are the generations of Yaakov: Yosef, ..." (Gen 37:2), on account of her modesty. (123a)

(Today's daf, 125, is in the midst of a discussion about inheriting prospective property, interest from loans, and suchlike. There's lots of disagreement therein. :-) )

Comments

[geekosaur]

One popular opinion is that mitzvah was given because of Ya`aqov's preference for Rachel and Yosef, and the resulting troubles.

[cellio]

That seems plausible.