B"H
Friday, Mar-Cheshvan 28, 5785 / November 29, 2024
In this week's Parsha, Toldot, we read about the birth of the twins, Yaakov (Jacob) and Esau. We read about how they went in different ways. Esau became a hunter (“A man of the field”) and a cheater, while Yaakov was a serious and honest person, who was a man of study.
The Torah tells us about Esau’s marriages. The Torah also tells us about the blessings which Yitzchak gave to his son, Yaakov (Jacob). Yitzchak, who was blind, was fooled by Esau in thinking that he was a righteous person. However, Rivkah knew the truth that it was Yaakov who was righteous and not Esau.
The Torah tells us, “When Yitzchak become old, the vision of his eyes dimmed, he summoned his older son, Esau, and said to him, “I have grown old and I don’t know when I will die.” Yitzchak tells Esau, “Prepare food which I love, so that I will bless you before I die.” Yitzchak was 123 years at that time.
Rivkah, who knew the truth, had another plan. Upon his mother’s urging, Yaakov disguised himself as Esau and got his father’s blessings. After giving Yaakov the blessings, Esau came into the room and asked for his blessings. Yitzchak realized his mistake and he then gave Esau a blessing too.
Q. Yitzchak lived 180 years. Abraham, lived 175 years. Why, at 123, was Yitzchak worried about dying?
A. Our sages say that when a person reaches within five years of when their parents passed away, they should start preparing for death. Yitzchak’s mother, Sarah, passed away at the age of 127. Yitzchak was now 123, so he was within five years of his mother’s passing age. Thus, he started preparing and said, “I have grown old and I don’t know when I will die.”
Q. At what age did Yaakov marry and at what age did Esau marry?
A.Esau was 40 years old when he married. He imitated his father who married at the age of 40. However, the women he married caused Isaac and Rivkah great anguish as they worshipped idols. In the next Parsha, we will read about Yaakov’s marriage. Yaakov was 84 years old when he got married.
Q. How is it that our patriarch and matriarch, Yitzchak and Rivkah, had a wicked son like Esau?
A. The Midrash quotes the verse in Mishlei (Proverbs), "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him reprimands him." This, says the Midrash is what happened with Esau. Since Esau wasn't reprimanded when he was young, he grew up to steal, murder and plot to kill his own brother.
King David had a similar experience with his son Avshalom. Because he never reprimanded his son, David suffered when his own son turned against him.
As the saying goes, “If you educate your children, you will be able to spoil your grandchildren.. But if you spoil your children, you will have to educate your grandchildren…”
Shabbat we bless the new month, Kislev. Rosh Chodesh will be Saturday night, Sunday & Monday.
SHABBAT SHALOM - Montreal candle lighting time: 3:55 / Shabbat ends: 5:02
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW