Parshas Tol'dos 5767

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, as represented by his agreement to being offered as his father’s sacrifice, rather than in his relationship to his fellow man. This is also symbolized by one of Isaac’s few activities described 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 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.

...Rebecca took the garments of Esau, her older son... (Gen. 27:15)

The commentators note that although Jacob and Esau were already over sixty years old, their age difference of only a few minutes was noted by Rebecca. That is because a great person values every moment. People say that time is money. The Torah teaches that time is life!

The expression referring to the squandering of time as killing time is true. Wasting time is a form of murder! Rav Elchanan Wasserman, a great Rosh Yeshiva in pre-war Europe, once purchased a pair of pull-on boots instead of the more common laced boots. He explained that his time was too precious to spend lacing his boots each time he needed to put them on.

Did You Know...

The laws of Shabbos are set aside for a woman in labor. Thus as soon as she feels regular contractions, she may telephone her doctor. If possible she should try to remove the phone from the cradle in an indirect manner, in order to minimize desecration of Shabbos.

She need not travel to a closer hospital if she has greater confidence the more distant hospital. She may not do so, however, if the intention is merely to save money.

Even if there is no danger to the mother, the laws of Shabbos are also set aside to save the fetus, even within the first forty days of pregnancy, according to most authorities.