Parshas Tol'dos 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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Of the three forefathers, Isaac is discussed the least in the Torah. His nature seems to have been more reserved and introverted. His contribution to the Jewish nation was his self-sacrifice to G-d and self-discipline rather than in his relationship to his fellow man. This was symbolized by one of Isaac’s few activities mentioned in the Torah, his digging and re-digging of wells, implying an internal analysis of his own character, rather than reaching out to others.

Isaac was somewhat removed from his relationship with his children. In the Torah’s description of the two sons, Jacob, the younger twin, is portrayed as the more righteous one. His days were spent in the tent, in spiritual pursuit. Esau, on the other hand, is seen as a more hedonistic person, spending his time in the fields and pursuing physical pleasures. This would eventually lead him to turn his back on all that he had seen in his father’s house and live a life of wickedness.

Yet, despite their disparate natures, Isaac seemed to value Esau’s character and potential for greatness more than he did that of Jacob. Esau was able to mislead his father by asking him various questions about Jewish Law. Rebecca, however, saw through the facade and recognized the true nature of her sons. She oversaw her sons’ interaction to ensure that Jacob would not be taken advantage of by Esau’s wiliness.

Even as a young man, Esau proved his scorn for the spiritual world by selling his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a pot of beans. Isaac was not aware of this sale. Many years later, Isaac wanted to give his blessings to Esau. He asked Esau to prepare a good meal for him, to be able to be in the proper frame of mind to offer his blessings.

Rebecca overheard Isaac’s plans and realized that Jacob deserved these blessings, not Esau. Even before her sons had been born, she had received the word of G-d that her younger son would more deserving of G-d’s blessings. In practice, Esau had forfeited the blessings long before by his behavior and by selling his birthright to Jacob. She encouraged Jacob to disguise himself, covering his arms and neck with goatskins to appear hairier than he really was, and pose as Esau, to receive the blessings from his father. Jacob reluctantly followed his mother’s orders. Rebecca prepared a meal for her husband and gave it to Jacob to serve Isaac.

Isaac, did not recognize Jacob, and blessed him. When Esau discovered that Jacob had deceived Isaac to receive his blessings, he vowed to take revenge. However, when Isaac learned about the circumstances leading to Jacob’s deceit, he realized his mistake and agreed that the blessings would remain with Jacob.

Jacob was forced to flee from Esau’s wrath, and would not return home for another thirty-six years.

...Isaac prayed opposite his wife . . . (Gen. 25:21)

A parent’s prayers are an integral part of the children’s success. The Chafetz Chaim once found his mother’s tear-stained Tehillim (book of Psalms). He kissed it fondly saying, “Do you know how many tears my mother shed in this Tehillim, praying that I would grow to be a good, faithful Jew?”

The Steipler Rav once said that success in raising a child requires some effort, but mostly prayer. He mentioned that he prayed every day for his son’s success, even after his son was already a grandfather and an accomplished Torah scholar!

Did You Know...

There is a tradition that when one marries, all his sins are forgiven. It is for this reason that the bride and groom fast on the wedding day, and they recite the Yom Kippur confession during their prayers before the wedding. For the same reason, the groom wears a kittel, the white robe worn on Yom Kippur. (Among Sefardic Jews, the bride does not fast, and the groom does not wear a kittel.)

The commentators explain that the sins are not totally forgiven; rather they are put on hold. If the groom and bride begin their life together righteously, the sins are forgotten. If, however, they revert to the same behavior, they remain accountable for their previous actions, too.