Hamaayan/The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Parashat Toldot Volume VII/Number 6 (293) 3 Kislev 5753/November 28, 1992 How could Yitzchak show such love for Esav, in particular since we are taught that Yitzchak's primary characteristic was the attribute of strict justice? (Avraham, by contrast, exemplified great kindness, and Yaakov combined the traits of his father and grandfather.) R' David Kronglas, zatzal (died 1973) explains (quoting the work Sha'arei Orah) that Yitzchak loved Esav -- or more correctly, Esav's future deeds -- for Esav's persecution of Yaakov's descendants would serve as atonement for those descendants' sins. To paraphrase the verse, "And Yitzchak loved Esav, for Yaakov descendants are prey in his mouth." No matter how terrible the persecution of the exile, it is preferable to the "fires" of "Gehinom." Alternatively, the above verse can be read, "And Yitzchak loved Esav, for Esav was prey in his (Yitzchak's) mouth." In other words, because Yitzchak lived by the attribute of strict justice, he loved anyone who caused that aspect of Hashem's powers to be revealed. Esav, by his wicked deeds, was sure to cause (albeit indirectly) a sanctification of G-d's Name and the revelation of Hashem's justice through the terrible punishment that awaited him (Esav). This, Yitzchak knew, would deter Yaakov's children from sinning. (Sichot Chochmah u'Mussar p.14) ************************************ R' Yochanan said, "Esav committed five sins on that day [the day on which he sold the birthright]: he sinned with a betrothed girl, he murdered a man, he denied G-d, he denied the resurrection of the dead; and he despised the birthright." (Bava Batra 16b) R' Avigdor Miller, shlita, asks: Would Yitzchak really permit such a child to remain in his home? Is it truly possible that he was not aware of Esav's deeds? In fact, each of Esav's sins could be understood in a meritorious light. Before the Torah was given, there was no such thing as betrothal. [Ed. note: See the comment of the "Brisker Rav" quoted in Hamaayan for Parashat Lech Lecha.l The girl in question had merely accepted a marriage proposal from someone else. However, given the Torah's great expectations of someone of Esav's family and upbringing, it is as if he committed a grave sin. The man whom Esav murdered was none other than Nimrod. Esav arguably performed a service to mankind by killing Nimrod, and certainly he avenged Avraham's honor, for Nimrod had tried to kill him. Esav's denial of G-d was manifested only by his selling the birthright (which represented the right to serve as "Kohen"), but this action could also be taken as a sign of humility -- as if Esav considered himself undeserving. Similarly, one could (and Yitzchak did) mistakenly believe that Esav did not deny the resurrection or despise the birthright, but simply felt himself undeserving or intimidated. Esav thus looked "kosher," and Yitzchak therefore did not expel him from his house. By contrast, the Torah portrays Yaakov as a crafty and devious individual. In fact, he was quite the contrary. Again, we see the strict standards to which the Torah adheres. Also, the Torah's portrayal of Yaakov and Esav foreshadows the way that Yaakov's descendants would be (and are) seen by the gentiles in the Jews' periods of exile. (Rejoice O Youth! p.173-74 paragraphs 347-49) ************************************ R' Shlomo Halberstam (the "Bobover Rebbe"), shlita, writes: There is no doubt that Yitzchak was aware of Esav's true nature. As Ramban notes, the blessings which Yitzchak planned to give Esav were purely physical blessings. Yitzchak's spiritual blessings were indeed reserved for Yaakov. Hashem, however, planned otherwise. "If there is no flour, there is no Torah." Material plenty, properly used, is the conduit through which spiritual success comes. (Sha'arei Zion; quoted in Sukkat Bet Ropshitz. p.65) ************************************ "Behold my son's scent is like the scent of the field" (27:27). Rashi comments: Like a field of apples. What is the significance of apples? R' Aharon Rokeach (the "Belzer Rebbe"), zatzal (1880-1957) explains that in Shir haShirim, Bnei Yisrael as a whole are compared to apples. Why? Because, says the Gemara, just as the fruit of the apple appears before the apple blossoms, so too Bnei Yisrael accepted the Torah before they heard it. This was an essential trait of Yaakov's, that he was prepared to fulfill Hashem's commandments without understanding them. (Note: Tosfot points out the apple referred to by the Gemara is not the same apple which we know.) (quoted in Ta'am vaDa'at p.118) ************************************ "You shall live by the sword..." (27:40) Is this a blessing? asks R' Ahron Soloveitchik, shlita (in the name of Ramban). Rather this verse should be read, "Even when you live by the sword, may you live." In other words, even when your descendants attack Yaakov's descendants and are defeated, may the victors spare you. This, says R' Soloveitchik, is perhaps the source of the Jewish practice of sparing prisoners of war (see Melachim II 6:8-23), a practice that predated international law to that affect by thousands of years. (Logic of the Heart, Logic of the Mind p.116) ************************************ R' Yisrael Alter, zatzal (died 1977), the Gerrer Rebbe known by the name of his work Bais Yisroel, once told a student: On Pesach we cannot eat Chametz. The sages were very strict regarding this prohibition. In fact, even a minute amount of Chametz can destroy an entire load of Matzah. "So let me ask you a question. Why does the Torah command us to eat Matzah? It is so hard to make Matzah that is not 'Chometzdik.' Wouldn't it be better to eat potatoes all of the days of Pesach? "That's the whole idea! Its no accomplishment to avoid Chametz by eating fruits and vegetables -- that would be too easy. The Torah wants us to eat Matzah - delicious Matzah -- and still avoid eating Chametz. "That's a great lesson: Enjoy this world, but do not sin." (Bais Yisroel: Rebbe of Gur p.42) ************************************ OUR READERS WRITE: A Hamaayan reader who is a cousin of the Gerrer Rebbe writes that the story which appeared in our issue for Shabbat Shuvah actually involved the subject of the above story, and not his brother, R' Simcha Bunim Alter, zatzal (died 1992), as we had written. ************************************ The learning schedule for this Shabbat is: Mikvaot 6:2-33 O.C. 517:4-518:2 Ketubot 32 Yerushalmi - Niddah 9 ************************************ The hard copy distribution of this week's Hamaayan is sponsored by: The Vogel family in memory of father and grandfather Aharon Yehuda ben Yisrael Vogel A"H --Toldot 5753-- In honor of the 41st anniversary of Shomrai Emunah (Silver Spring) "Eim haBanim Smeichah" by Josh Rosenbloom ************************************ Donations to Hamaayan are tax deductible