בראשית, פרק כ״ד, פסוק ס״ד

The initial encounter between Rebekah and Isaac carries immense drama, blending sudden surprise with a profound sense of awe that would ultimately define their entire relationship. Seated high upon her camel, Rebekah spotted Isaac from a distance even before the servant noticed him [מלבי״ם]. Commentators debate the exact moment she recognized her future husband. Some suggest she identified him immediately, guided by an inner intuition, the descriptions she had heard along the journey, or simply by observing the confident stride of the field's owner approaching them [רש״ר הירש, שטיינזלץ, צרור המור]. Because the servant had already announced they were nearing their destination, she naturally suspected that the first man walking toward them was Isaac [שד״ל]. Others argue she did not yet know his identity at that precise moment [ביאור יש״ר]. A different approach suggests that the events unfolded in a slightly different order, and her dramatic reaction occurred only after she asked the servant and confirmed the man was indeed Isaac [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, רלב״ג, חזקוני].

Regardless of when she realized who he was, the sight before her was breathtaking. Isaac appeared as a majestic figure, dressed like a nobleman, and his striking presence filled her with wonder and amazement [רש״י, מזרחי, גור אריה, דברי דוד]. Beyond his physical nobility, Rebekah perceived the radiance of the Divine Presence resting upon his face [אלשיך, צרור המור]. At that moment, Isaac was standing in prayer with his hands spread outward, resembling an awesome angel of God, a sight that struck her with an intense and overwhelming fear [העמק דבר]. The fact that he was walking directly through the open field rather than on the main road only added to her sudden surprise and alarm [רמב״ן, חזקוני, ריב״א].

Her immediate response to this majestic sight was an abrupt physical movement. The primary approach among commentators is that she did not literally fall to the ground. Instead, she bowed her head, slumped, or leaned sharply to the side of the camel without entirely dismounting [רש״י, רמב״ן, ספורנו, בכור שור, משכיל לדוד, נתינה לגר, רבנו בחיי]. She may have leaned down quickly toward the servant walking beside her [מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, some explain that she did in fact slide or drop completely down to the earth [רד״ק, רלב״ג]. This swift action was driven by a deep mixture of modesty, respect, and fear. It was not a calculated move of a woman waiting for royal assistance to dismount, but rather a spontaneous urge of basic decency. Rebekah felt it was entirely inappropriate to sit high on a camel while such a distinguished individual walked toward her on foot, especially since she was riding astride in the manner of men [רשב״ם]. Seeking to show respect, she instinctively moved to turn her face away [רמב״ן, ספורנו, רש״ר הירש].

Beyond simple manners and modesty, her reaction stemmed from a profound inner anxiety and a sudden feeling of unworthiness in the presence of such a holy person. This initial fear, which overtook Rebekah upon first seeing her future husband, established the dynamic of their marriage for the rest of their lives. Unlike Sarah and Rachel, who interacted freely with their husbands and never hesitated to express their grievances, Rebekah always maintained a distinct sense of awe and a certain emotional distance from Isaac. This underlying fear was guided by Divine providence. Ultimately, it was this exact dynamic that prevented Rebekah from confronting Isaac directly regarding Esau, leading her instead to work behind the scenes to ensure the blessings were transferred to Jacob [העמק דבר].