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Why does the Torah (תורה) describe Yitzchok and Rivka's first encounter in such unusual detail? The shiur develops a yesod that Yitzchok sought a wife possessing both Avrohom's chesed (חסד) and his own midah of din. Rivka's spontaneous act of covering herself demonstrates the midah of busha—the yirah that characterized Yitzchok—proving she was not merely Avrohom's choice but truly suited for Yitzchok himself.
Rabbi Zweig analyzes the puzzling narrative of Yitzchok and Rivka's first encounter in Parshas Chayei Sarah. The shiur opens with a careful reading of the pesukim, noting several textual difficulties: Why does the Torah (תורה) describe this chance meeting in the field? Why does it emphasize that Yitzchok "lifted up his eyes" and saw only camels, while Rivka "lifted up her eyes" and specifically saw Yitzchok? What prompted Rivka's dramatic response of falling from the camel and immediately covering herself with a veil? The shiur explores the apparent redundancy in the narrative. If Eliezer was bringing Rivka back as a wife for Yitzchok, why was this roadside encounter necessary at all? Avrohom could simply have presented the match to his son upon Eliezer's return. The detailed description suggests something essential was being established through this meeting.
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Why does the Midrash connect Pharaoh's expulsion of the Jews to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan? The shiur develops a chiddush that Pharaoh's sin wasn't only drowning the children, but the insensitivity of expelling the parents afterward. The deeper analysis reveals that Pharaoh may have valued the Jews greatly and wanted to control them—making his expulsion an act of tremendous cruelty, not liberation.
Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Bereishis 24:62-67
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