What is Really “Kedai"

Beit Midrash

Torah Portion and Tanach
Bereshit
Toldot

קטגוריה משנית

3302

To dedicate this lesson

The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of

Amram son of Sultana

Parashat Hashavua Series'Library Piskei Din (Hebrew)Test Yourself

Parashat Toledot tells us of Yitzchak, who is now happily married, living in Israel and involved in providing for his young family. Unfortunately, however, financial conditions begin to worsen, affecting not only Yitzchak, but the entire region. What is a responsible husband and father to do? Yitzchak decides to do precisely what his father did - pick up and move to another country where life is easier, where he will be able to enjoy prosperity and financial security. Not only does Yitzchak make up his mind to leave, but he is already on the road when Hashem appears to him and says: " Don't go... sojourn in this land... and I will be with you and bless you. "

Rashi explains that Hashem tells Yitzchak "ein chutza la’aretz kedai lecha", it doesn't befit you to be in chutz la’aretz. It isn't "kedai" - worthwhile, fitting, proper, or appropriate for you. While it is true that Yitzchak enjoyed a special status after the Akeida, knowing how to choose what is "kedai" is a lesson that must be learned by every observant Jew. It is true that there may be many reasons - economic, professional, and familial, to live outside of Israel. But Hashem tells Yitzchak, and through him He tells all of us, that any decision on this matter must be based not on what is most comfortable, but on what is really "kedai."

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