Thursday, November 4, 2021

Rivka Righteousness

A couple of points about the character of Rivka from Rav Hirsch.  #1 After Rivka learns about the plan of Esav to kill Yaakov she tells Yitchak to send him away to find a wife.  Why didn't she tell him the full story, that Esav wanted to kill Esav and this proves how right she was about the character of Esav?  Rav Hirsch says that Rivka doesn't say I told you so, she tells a story about Yaakov's departure which will not pain Yitzchak.  She did not try to vindicate her opinion, it was more important to her not to cause any pain to her husband.  

#2 At the very end of the parsha (28:5) it says Yaakov went to Lavan the brother of Rivka, mother of Yaakov and Esav.  Why does the Torah add the words the mother of Yaakov and Esav?  The meforsihm struggle with various answers.  Rav Hisrch say that the Torah is highlighting that even though Rivka favored Yaakov, she still maintained a motherly love for Esav as well.  She was concerned למה אשכל גם שניכם יום אחד, she cared for Esav as well.  She sent Yaakov away out of concern for him and concern for Esav, so he would not do such a terrible act.  The last words the Torah uses to identify Rivka is the mother of Yaakov and Esav, at the core that's what she was, a mother that had room to love two opposing brothers.  Despite all the shortcomings she saw in Esav, that did not diminish her love for him and desire for him to be successful (see also Tzedah L'derech.)

No comments:

Post a Comment