Yitzhak and Esav

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  1. The Differences Between Avraham and Yitzchak

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    Yitzchak’s character is often viewed as parallel to Avraham, as depicted in Midrash Hagadol: “All things that happened to Avraham – happened to Yitzchak.” The midrash indicates that there is no innovation by Yitzchak, whose strength is primarily in maintaining and stabilizing the path that his father had forged. Is this indeed a correct reading of the text? Perhaps the many points of comparison highlight the differences between these two characters, and emphasize Yitzchak’s unique personality.

  2. Esav's Merit

    Rabbi Yaakov Medan

    Despite Chazal's general hostility toward Esav, they benefitted him with one great deed: his respect for his father Yitzchak. What is the significance of this mitzvah? Apparently Esav refrained from killing Yaakov only out of respect toward his father. Yaakov's sons did not have the same respect for their father, which nearly cost Yosef his life. And what is the difference between Esav and King David?

  3. "Rejoice With Trembling"

    Haftarot: Toldot

    Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

    The bible presents two models for the relationship between man and God. One parallels the relationship between a servant and his master, and the other is an intimate and loving relationship. The service of God is meant to include both models.

  4. The Tenacity of Yitzhak

    Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutes

    Compared to the other forefathers, Yitzchak often seems to be presented as passive. Some say that his lack of originality is crucial for the successful continuity of Abraham’s legacy. But is it really fitting for a forefather to have no real distinctive characteristic of his own? Does this approach give enough credit to Yitzchak? This shiur develops another perspective, one which illuminates Yitzchak’s unique contribution.

  5. Yitzhak - Tanakh Profiles

    Rabbi Jonathan Mishkin

  6. Parashat Toldot - Opposites Attract

    Reuven Weiser

  7. Netziv on Yitzhak's Blessing

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  8. Esav and Nimrod

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  9. Traits That Yitzhak Looked For

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  10. Rashi's Bible Commentary- Does it Really Reflect his Inner World of Values?

    Dr. Lisa Fredman |

    Despite the fact that Rashi's Bible Commentary is primarily culled from Midrashic and Talmudic literature, we will seek to detect Rashi's own values and ideals. We will implement certain principles through which we will search for the man behind the commentary.

  11. Why Did Isaac Love Esau?

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

    Why did Yitzchak love Esav over Yaakov ?  Did he not know about Rivkah’s oracle? Did he not know that Esau was wild and impetuous? Can we really take literally the proposition that Yitzchak loved Esav because “he had a taste for wild game,” as if his affections were determined by his stomach, by the fact that his elder son brought him food he loved? Surely not, when the very future of the covenant was at stake.

    The classic answer is that Yitzchak loved Esav because he simply did not know who or what Esav was. But there is another possible answer: that Yitzchak loved Esav precisely because he did know what Esav was.

     

    This article is from the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

  12. Why Did Isaac Love Esau? (Audio)

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 7 minutes

    Why did Yitzchak love Esav over Yaakov ?  Did he not know about Rivkah’s oracle? Did he not know that Esau was wild and impetuous? Can we really take literally the proposition that Yitzchak loved Esav because “he had a taste for wild game,” as if his affections were determined by his stomach, by the fact that his elder son brought him food he loved? Surely not, when the very future of the covenant was at stake.

    The classic answer is that Yitzchak loved Esav because he simply did not know who or what Esav was. But there is another possible answer: that Yitzchak loved Esav precisely because he did know what Esav was.

     

    This lecture is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

  13. Toldot: A Conversation For the Ages

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In Parshat Toldot, we are shown a conversation between father and son in which the father's spiritual heritage is passed down. We had seen this conversation between Abraham and Isaac; however, now, we see similar textual and thematic parallels in conversations between Isaac and both Esau and Jacob. In this video, we will explore these parallels and ask, what do they teach us about the nature of heritage?

     

     
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