Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 27, 5778 / November 16, 2017

This week's Parsha, Toldot, we read how even during Rivkah's pregnancy, she already knew the quality of the twins she was carrying.  The Torah says, "And the children struggled within her..." 

Our sages remark that the cause of the struggle was that when she passed by the study halls of Shem and Ever, where the voice of Torah was heard, Yaakov would strive to go out and when she passed the house of idol worship, Esau would struggle to go out.  The Torah tells us that when the boys grew up, Esau, who was born first, became a hunter who robbed and murdered while Yaakov studied and prayed following the ways of his father Yitzchak and grandfather, Abraham.  

According to the Talmud, the qualities of what people will grow up to be can at times be identified while they are still young children. The following episode is from the Talmud:  Abbaya and Rava were two of the greatest Talmudic sages. Once, when they were very young, they sat with their teacher, Rabba.  He asked them, "Whom do we address when we recite the blessings?"

They both answered, "G-d".

"And where does G-d dwell?" their teacher asked.

Rava pointed to the ceiling.  Abbaya went outside and pointed to the sky.  Their teacher exclaimed, "Both of you will grow up to be sages."  The Talmud concludes this episode with, "Hence the popular saying: The quality of the pumpkin can be recognized by its stalk."  Both, Abbaya and Rava grew up to be leaders of the Jewish people and their opinions can be found throughout the Talmud.

Many sages exhibited great wisdom and intellectual qualities at a tender age. Rabbi Yonatan Eibishitz was the Rabbi of Prague and other important Jewish communities.  Even as a child, Yonatan's wisdom and intelligence was known to everyone.  The governor of the province where Yonatan lived heard about the wisdom of the boy and wanted to meet him. He requested that Yonatan's parents bring the boy before him.

Upon entering the Governor's chamber, they were greeted by the governor and other officials.  In the room there also stood a large statue.  The governor turned to little Yonatan and pointing to the statue, said, "I heard much about your wisdom.  It would be nice if you would say words of greetings to this person."

Instantly, Yonatan replied, "Our sages teach us that good manors come before Torah.  I have been taught never to speak first in front of someone bigger and older than me.  This statue is surely bigger and older than I am. I suggest that the governor ask the statue to speak first and I will reply afterwards!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY