This week we learn remarkable lessons about prayer. Being childless, Yitzchak and Rivka pray for children. They are answered and Rivka conceives.
However, when the pregnancy is quite eventful, Rivka goes to “inquire of Hashem.” She is told that she has two nations inside her.
The Klei Yakar explains Rivka’s concern. Yitzchak was of pure lineage. His father was a tzaddik. Her father was quite the opposite. When they prayed, they asked for good children. However, she, like Hagar, would now give birth to a wicked son. She asked, “What was the point of my praying?!”
Hashem answered her, “There are two nations in your womb.” The Gemara teaches this refers to R’ Yehuda HaNasi and Antoninus - the great sage and the Roman Caesar - who respected each other greatly and studied together.
Hashem answered Rivka: “Your prayers have efficacy. Though you will give birth to the wicked Eisav, from him shall come “kosher” descendants, like Antoninus and the other converts of the future.”
Though we may not immediately see the results of our tefilos, and the answers may not be the ones we were expecting, prayer is a powerful tool for good that bears fruits.
