Torah Pearls – Season 2 – Toldot – Tovia Singer, Jono & Jason
Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed…Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants” Genesis 27:33 & 37
If you don’t like Christian rappers, how about a Jewish one? I love Matisyahu. Maybe you should host an epic rap battle between LMNO and Matisyahu. That’d be boss, dudes!
So why doesn’t Isaac get the word from G-d that Jacob will actually be the one he is supposed to bless? I think the key is that his eyesight grew dim physically and spiritually. I have a feeling that this connects with the idea of perception. The Rabbi that I study with made a very interesting point a couple weeks ago about the role of men and women. The man is in the spiritual realm while the woman is the practical realm. Not diminishing women, but the point is that they perceive what’s practical. Whereas Abraham was tested spiritually (none of them practical, in fact, quite the opposite): go to an unknown land, lift Isaac, etc. Just as Sarah perceived that Ishmael was not a fit choice for blessing and sending him out, so too did Rebecca perceive that the logical and practical choice would be Jacob. So, in essence, Isaac lacked the spiritual perception and his sight was dim in the sense that he still would have given the blessing to Esau even though he was not a fit choice. Anyways thanks for this pearl today. It really helped me make a connection between the last couple of portions and this one. Shalom, Jono, Jason, and Rabbi Singer.
P.S. Again, I want to reiterate that I do not believe that women can not be in the spiritual realm. It just seems to be nature that women are always much more practical than men. I can attest to this; I am married!
P.P.S. I was wondering who’s smoke alarm that was and why they haven’t fixed it yet. GET A NEW BATTERY!
Best,
Frank
P.P.P.S. I waited like a person waiting in a movie line on opening night for the debate between Dr. Evans and Rabbi Singer. Great job Rabbi. I too was glued to the screen as Jono described his sons. Compelling and truthful.
That’s it, I’m done.