8. The verse, "though Abraham be ignorant of us," means that although the world is sustained by him[THE SECRET OF CHESED - AS IT IS WRITTEN, "THE WORLD IS BUILT BY CHESED" (TEHILIM 89:3)] he nevertheless did not care for us as he did for Ishmael, as it is written, "O that Ishmael might live before You" (Beresheet 17:18). The verse continues, "and Yisrael acknowledges us not," for all the blessings he should have conferred on his sons, he let this grade - THE NUKVA - have, to bless all. THUS, ACCORDING TO THE VERSES, "AND THIS IS THAT WHICH THEIR FATHER SPOKE TO THEM" (BERESHEET 49:28), THE NUKVA - CALLED 'THIS' - SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THEIR FATHER AND BLESSED THEM. ALSO WHEN HE BLESSED EPHRAIM AND MENASHEH, HE SAID, AS IT IS WRITTEN, "THE ANGEL WHO REDEEMED ME FROM ALL EVIL" - NAMELY, THE NUKVA - "BLESS THE BOYS" (BERESHEET 48:16).