By: Ariela Jaimovich
This week's Parsha is Parshat Toldot. In Toldot our second matriarch, Rivkah, gave birth to Esav and Yakov. The Parsha describes their differences in personality and appearance. Esav was a hunter and man of the field, while Yakov was a Torah scholar. As the firstborn, Esav had more privileges than his brother. When Yitzchak prepared to give his eldest son a bracha before he died, Rivka created a plan for Yakov to receive the bracha instead. She dressed him in Esav’s clothes and cooked a meal for Yitzchak. Even if we can agree that Yakov was more deserving of the blessings, how is it justified that Rivkah deceived her husband? Is she not setting a bad example?
As one of the founding mothers of Bnei Yisrael, we can learn a lot from Rivkah. She is known as a rose among thorns because of her kindness despite growing up in an evil family. Rivkah was not vicious or looking to lie to her husband, rather she was saving Bnei Yisrael. She understood the importance of Yakov having this blessing and took on the responsibility to set our nation up for success in the future. It was all done for the greater good in the long run. We also learn that feuds among siblings are common, but parents, like Rivkah, look for the greater benefit for the future when it comes to resolving conflicts.
Shabbat Shalom!
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