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Why did Esav speak to Yitzchok in a rough, commanding manner ("Yakum avi") when his greatest quality was kibud av? The shiur argues that Yitzchok was blind, old, and trapped—wanting to die. Esav's kibud av meant challenging him to get up and engage with life, like a personal trainer who pushes you beyond your comfort zone.
Rabbi Zweig examines a puzzling Rashi (רש"י) in Parshas Toldos. When Yaakov approaches Yitzchok disguised as Esav, Yitzchok comments, "The voice is the voice of Yaakov, but the hands are the hands of Esav." Rashi explains that Yaakov spoke with tachnunim (pleading, respectful language—"please, father, get up"), while Esav spoke in a kanturi (challenging, commanding) manner—"Yakum avi" (let my father arise). But this presents a profound difficulty: Esav's defining characteristic was kibud av (honoring one's father). Rabban Gamliel himself said he didn't reach even one percent of Esav's level of kibud av. How could speaking disrespectfully to one's father be an expression of kibud av? Furthermore, Yitzchok believed Esav was a tzaddik—how could he tolerate such disrespectful speech? The shiur offers a fundamental yesod in understanding kibud av for elderly, infirm parents. Rabbi Zweig brings a Rashi from next week's parsha (Vayeitzei) where Hashem (ה׳) refers to Himself as "Elokei Yitzchok" even while Yitzchok was still alive—something generally not done for living tzaddikim. Rashi explains this was because Yitzchok was blind, confined to his house, and was considered "k'meis" (like a dead person). A person who is blind, old, and trapped in his house naturally wants to give up and die.
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Bereishis 27:22 (Parshas Toldos)
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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.
