Thursday, November 8, 2018

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Toldos

The following is a brief summary of some of thoughts said over by R' Frand on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce these vorts to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to R' Frand.

In Bereishis 27:9 the Torah recites Rivka's instruction to her son Ya'akov to take two goats to be used as the food for Yitzchak. The Medrash Rabbah writes that this instruction from Rivkah included the added component that the goats would be good for him now and in the future. It would be good for him now because he would receive the beracha from his father and good for the Jews in the future as they will bring two goats on Yom Kippur.

But what is the connection between the berachos that Ya'akov received here and the avodah on Yom Kippur?

R' Frand next quoted another Medrash Rabbah on the pasuk in Bereishis 27:37 which states that when Eisav heard that Ya'akov had received the beracha, he let out a terrible and bitter scream. The Medrash Rabbah quotes R' Chanina who states that anyone who says that Hashem is a Vatran is mistaken, since Ya'akov's descendants were punished for his causing Eisav to have a terrible scream as Mordechai was caused to let out a bitter great scream in Megillas Esther.

Again, what is the connection? Additionally, the Torah states in Bereshis 27:37 that Yitzchak trembled greatly when he realized what had happened. So why was Ya'akov not punished for this?

R' Frand answered by quoting the Netziv who states that there is nothing that Hashem creates and no middah or aspect which is truly and completely bad. By way of example, radiation is deadly and one needs protection from radiation. Yet, radiation in certain controlled settings can cure cancer. Similarly, the powers of Tumah have a specific place and are even the subject of a sacrifice on Yom Kippur (the Se'ir L'Azazel). While no one can independently sacrifice to Tumah, on Yom Kippur there is a direction to do so. 

Ya'akov was directed by his mother to do an act of deception. By linking this to the Sei'r L'Azazel, of Yom Kippur, Rivka was instructing him that this is good for you now and you should know that sometimes there is a time and a need for the Kochos Ha'Tumah. 

So why was he punished? Because when a person does an Aveirah Lishma it must be done without personal gain or the slightest ulterior motive. A person is required to be truthful when asked about a potential shidduch, but that does not mean that he should expose and humiliate the candidate. Although we don't understand how, apparently Ya'akov's act was not 100% lishma and for this reason, Mordechai was caused to let out his own great scream thousands of years later. However, Ya'akov had no intent in any way to harm his father or personal gain from causing him fear, thus he is not punished for causing his father to tremble.

If you have seen this post being carried on another site, please feel free to click www.kosherbeers.blogspot.com to find other articles on the kosherbeers blogsite. Hey its free and you can push my counter numbers up!

No comments: