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Why does the Torah (תורה) describe Yitzchok's love for Esav in past tense but Rivka's love for Yaakov in present tense? The shiur develops a yesod about distinct parental roles: fathers create authority through the act of bringing children into the world, while mothers provide ongoing nurturing. Rivka couldn't maintain active nurturing with Esav because maternal love requires the ability to genuinely build a child's self-worth.
This shiur explores the profound difference in how the Torah (תורה) describes parental love in Parshas Toldos. The speaker notes that while Yitzchok "loved" (past tense - vayehav) Esav, Rivka "loves" (present tense - oheves) Yaakov, suggesting fundamentally different parental functions rather than mere favoritism. Drawing from Talmudic sources about honoring parents, the speaker explains that fathers and mothers serve distinct roles: fathers create authority and set standards (hence children instinctively fear contradicting them), while mothers provide ongoing nurturing and validation (making children naturally want to care for them). This creates different types of love - paternal love stems from the act of creation and bringing a child into the world, while maternal love includes both creation and continuous nurturing.
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Parshas Toldos 25:27-28
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