Understanding the Parsha according to the Rebbe
QUESTION: The marriage of Yitzchak and Rivkah is the first Jewish marriage in the Torah. What is one of the lessons about the chasan’s preparations prior to marriage?
ANSWER: Prior to the marriage (and immediately after the Akeidah) Yitzchak prepared for marriage by going to a spiritual place (Gan Eden) for three years. Marriage seeks to establish an enduring structure. In order to prepare properly one requires guarding beforehand, which involves a shomer (from the bad influences of the world). Further, one should obtain ordination (semicha). Prior to building a physical “home” one must build a home in Torah. )50 , עמ'א לקוטי שיחות כרך(
QUESTION: Why did G-d weaken the eyesight of Yitzchak?
ANSWER: G-d did not reveal to Yitzchak that Eisav was bad (not to engage in Lashon Hara), rather He allowed Yitzchak to lose his sight, so that Yaacov could receive the blessings. One must go to extreme lengths to avoid Lashon HaRa about another Jew. )211 'עמ ,טו לקוטי שיחות כרך (
QUESTION: How do we understand the Medrosh that (inside Rivkah) Eisav was inclined to Avodah Zarah, whereas Yaacov was inclined to good?
ANSWER: The inclination in Eisav to “bad” is actually another possible method of service to HaShem. Yaacov’s method of services is “wholly” righteous. Eisav was presented with another type of service of HaShem, entitled "overcoming evil", the task of conquering one’s innate tendency towards evil. )108 , עמ'כלקוטי שיחות כרך (
QUESTION: What is the question of Eisav, how does one take maaser from salt and from straw?
ANSWER: In the house of Avrohom they took a tenth from all their possessions based on value (not like after Matan Torah when maaser only applies to certain types of food). Eisav questioned the evaluation of an item’s value, whether at the present, or the future, potential value (salt and straw). )116, עמ'כהלקוטי שיחות כרך (
QUESTION: What is the allusion of the three wells that Yitzchak dug?
ANSWER: Ramban says the three wells of Yitzchak allude to the three Holy Temples. At the beginning one expends effort to dig the well, followed by the water filling the well without one’s direct effort. Similarly, with the Holy Temple, the Jews expend effort and build the building. Later, G-d’s Presence dwells within the Temple without our direct effort. Even by the third Temple (which currently resides in the Heavens), the building is made by the acts of Mitzvos which are done during Galus with mesiras nefesh. )116 , עמ'ל חות כרך לקוטי שי (
BEN CHAMESH L’MIKRA בס"ד - הענינים מלקו"ש השבועי ועוד - נשמת אפרים לע"נ ר' אפרים ב"ר אברהם ע"ה האפמאן ▪ Resource to encourage the study of the Rebbe’s sichos ▪ Designed for use in the classroom or at the Shabbos Table
