262. "But to the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts" (Beresheet 25:6). HE ASKS, What are these gifts? AND HE ANSWERS, These are all kinds of lower UNBALANCED grades OF UNHOLINESS, names of all sorts of impure spirits. HE GAVE THEM to perfect the grades, SO THAT THEY WOULD PURIFY THEM AND PERFECT THE GRADES OF HOLINESS. And Isaac was elevated above them all in the proper supernal faith, WHICH IS BINAH.

263. "The sons of the concubines" are the children of Kturah, WHO IS CALLED "CONCUBINES" because she was a concubine before ABRAHAM SENT HER AWAY and was again a concubine when HE TOOK HER BACK. Rabbi Chiya said that this alludes to actual concubines AND IN NO WAY DOES IT ALLUDE TO KTURAH. "And sent them away from his son, Isaac" (Ibid.), so that they would not have control over Isaac "while he yet lived," while Abraham was alive and well in this world. This way, they would not quarrel with him later, and Isaac would be strengthened and subjugate everyone before him. "Eastward, to the east country" (Ibid.), because one finds there all kinds of witchcraft.

264. Come and behold, It is written, "And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country" (I Melachim 5:10). These are the sons of the concubines of Abraham. It was said that those who teach sorcery to men are found in these east mountains. And from the east country came Laban, Beor, his son Bilaam and all the sorcerers, as has already been explained.