YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Toldot
Well, that is almost exactly what we experience in this week’s Sedra – except in the reverse. In a very unusual scene, Rivka is told, by Divine prophecy (either via Shem and Ever, or directly by Hashem) that in the future, her son Esav will turn out to be a rather unsavory character, one clearly undeserving of carrying on the mantle of Jewish leadership when Yitzchak will be gone.
The pasuk says: "Vayitrotz’tzu habanim b’kirba." The strange word "Vayitrotz’tzu" is usually translated as "(the boys) ran (inside her). This leads to the famous Medrash that says Rivka felt a kick both when she passed a house of study as well as a house of idolatry, indicating diametrically-opposed paths for her twins. But I suggest that the word also can be linked to the root "teretz," which can mean to "answer," or solve a problem. Rivka is made aware of a major problem, and she sets out to solve it.
Coming from a home where cunning and conning others was rather common, she – much more than her pure and sheltered husband Yitzchak – can see right through Esav and his holier-than-thou machinations. (In fact, this may be the "blindness" that the Torah says afflicts Yitzchak; his
inability to see Esav for what he really was.)
And so Rivka devises this rather clever but controversial plan to have "good son" Yakov dress up as Esav and secure the birthright blessing for his own. We all know what happens next; Yakov does indeed receive the preeminent bracha, and will lead Am Yisrael into the future.
But alas, it’s not always nice to tamper with Mother Future. While Yakov will go on to wear Yitzchak’s mantle, Esav will turn into an eternal enemy to plague our people throughout history, to this very day. As Chazal say, "It is Halacha, unalterable – Esav hates Yakov." While Rivka
may have done a noble thing, there will be a heavy price to pay for all eternity, until Moshiach-time.
At the end of the story, the pasuk (28:5) inexplicably identifies Rivka as "the mother of Yakov and Esav." But don’t we surely know that already?! Even Rashi is forced to comment, "I don’t know what this is teaching us!" But I suggest we are being told that, when all is said and done, Rivka still loves her twin boys. While she did what she felt she had to do, for the good of the nation and posterity, she wishes that it could all have been solved amicably without subterfuge, and that reconciliation, rather than rivalry, would reign.
Maybe, in the future…..
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.