AND JUDAH SAW THERE A DAUGHTER OF A CERTAIN CANAANITE. The term Canaanite has been explained by the Companions. AND SHE CONCEIVED, AND BORE A SON; AND HE CALLED HIS NAME ER. Judah had three sons, and the only one who survived was Shelah.

R. Eleazar and R. Jose and R. Hiya were once walking together. Said R. Jose to R. Eleazar: ‘Why is it that of the first son of Judah it is written: “and he called his name Er”, whereas of the other two it is written: “and she called his name Onan”, “and she called his name Shelah”?’

R. Eleazar replied: ‘There is a deep mystic allusion in these sentences, which explains all. Thus Judah going down from his brethren symbolizes the moon becoming obscured and descending from the perfected grade to another grade to which the serpent becomes associated, as is indicated in the statement: “and he turned into a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah”.’

Then we read: “And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.” The name ‘Er is a reversal of the letters ra’ (evil), for he was evil, having issued from the side of the evil prompter. The accusative particle eth (the) inserted before his name likewise hints at the emergence of another grade, that of impurity and defilement, from which grade Er was born.’

Nor was the defect made good until afterwards, when Shelah appeared. It says further: “And Er, Judah’s first-born, was evil in the sight of the Lord”, where the term “evil” finds its echo in the sentence: “for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. Vlll, 2I). Er was evil in that he shed blood, by spilling the seed on the ground, and therefore the Lord slew him. After that it is written: AND JUDAH SAID UNTO ONAN: Go IN UNTO THY BROTHER’S WIFE, ETC.