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Why did Yitzchok prefer Eisav despite his seemingly disrespectful tone? Rashi (רש"י) notes Yaakov spoke respectfully ("please, Father") while Eisav spoke harshly ("Get up, Pop"), yet Chazal praise Eisav's kibbud av. The answer: Eisav's "tough love" approach—pushing his elderly, blind father to stay active rather than wait for death—was actually the higher form of kibbud av, demonstrating that honoring parents sometimes requires firmness, not just deference.
The shiur addresses a fundamental question in Parshas Toldos regarding the nature of kibbud av (honoring one's father) as exemplified by the contrast between Yaakov and Eisav. The starting point is Rashi (רש"י)'s comment on the verse "Kol kol Yaakov, vehayadayim yedei Eisav" (the voice is Yaakov's voice, but the hands are Eisav's hands), which raises the question: what aroused Yitzchok's suspicion? Rabbi Zweig explains that the suspicion could not have been based on the literal sound of the voice, since if Yaakov knew he couldn't imitate Eisav's voice, he never would have attempted the deception in the first place. Brothers, especially twins, sound similar enough that voice alone wouldn't be distinctive. Rather, Rashi explains that what awakened Yitzchok's suspicion was the manner of speech: "Shemedaber belashon tachnunim"—he spoke in a language of supplication and respect, saying "Please, Father, please get up." By contrast, Eisav would speak "belashon kanturia"—in a harsh, commanding way: "Get up, Pop."
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Parshas Toldos, Bereishis 27:22 with Rashi
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Why didn't Noach daven for his generation while Avrohom advocated for Sedom? Noach viewed each person as an independent island responsible only for their own teshuvah. Avrohom understood that all humanity is interconnected through shared perspective and values, making prayer for others both possible and necessary.
