Kabbalah Library
Zohar for All, Volume 5
Until Jacob, a Person Died without Illness
898) In the early days, before Jacob arrived, man was peacefully in his home without any illnesses. When his time would come to die, he died without an illness. When Jacob came, he asked of the Creator, “Lord of the world, if it pleases You, let a man fall ill for two or three days and then be gathered unto his people, so he can instruct his household and repent from his iniquities.” The Creator replied, “Fine, and you will be a sign for the world, and the matter will begin with you.” It is written, “And it came to pass after these things that Joseph was told, ‘Behold, your father is ill.’” “Ill” is written without a Vav, indicating that it is an innovation, which did not previously exist for man.
