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A number of questions come to mind: Rashi says that although Rivka also prayed to have a child, Yitzchak’s prayers were more effective than hers because "the prayer of a tzadik the son of a tzadik is more powerful than a tzadik who is the child of a rasha."
But didn’t Rashi earlier bring a Medrash (21:17) telling us that the prayer of a sick person himself is more effective than the prayer of someone else praying in that person’s behalf! Isn’t this why G-d earlier heard the voice of Yishmael & not Hagar, even though both prayed for help?
Finally, does the Torah’s use of the unusual word "vayey’ater" instead of the more common word "hitpalel," hint that there are different types of Tefila?
I would like to answer these questions by asking yet another question! Immediately after we’re told that Rivka is pregnant, we read that she was troubled by what was happening inside her. The famous Medrash says that she would feel a kick when passing a Bet Midrash, & another kick when she passed a place of idolatry. Troubled, she consults Shem, who tells her she is carrying twins, both of whom will lead great nations.
But why is only Rivka, & not Yitzchak, made privy to this revelation? Yitzchak is not only the twins’ father, but also a great prophet in his own right!
I want to suggest that there are different "tracks" to the prayers offered to G-d. When Yitzchak prays for Rivka to become pregnant he is in effect praying for himself to have an heir so that his lineage will continue on to the next generation. But Rivka has a much broader vision; she wants to know what kind of child she will have. Will he be worthy of his place in the royal family? Will he bring honor or dishonor to his nation & the world? And that is why she alone is informed of Yakov & Esav’s future.
Similarly, when Hashem answers the prayer of Hagar, He does not say, "the boy will live;" He says, "I will make a great nation of him." That, apparently, is what Hagar - who was herself a princess of Egypt, the greatest nation of that time - was praying for when she cried out to G-d. Life, you see, is vital; but it is what we do with our life that may be even more vital.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
