Toldos 5770: The Scent of a Man

In our continuing survey to understand the dysfunctional families of Bereishis, Toldos raises the bar. This week, we are presented with four personalities that carry on as ships in the night: None seem to grasp what the other is doing. Yet, there is certainly a method to this madness.

Yitzchak, the former sacrifice, is the patriarch du jour. He is his father’s son as revealed not only by his acts but even the opening verse:

"Here follows the generations of Yitzchak, son of Avraham; Avraham fathered Yitzchak. (Bereishis 25.19)"

Like his father before him, Yitzchak digs wells, introduces Mrs. Yitzchak as his sister and like Avraham, Yitzchak favors his firstborn son.

Rivkah, the abovementioned ‘sister’ is the quintessential matriarch. Like Sarah before her, she has fertility issues. She has revelations (25.23). She knows who the chosen son is and will stop at nothing to see that he makes the cut. She takes assertive action (27.5, 42).

Does this couple ever speak with each other? Rivkah speaks to Yitzchak only once in our sidrah. There is no record of his reply, no dialog with her at all.

What of their sons? We marvel at how twin brothers can be such polar opposites: one a hunter, one a dweller in tents. Oh, they carry on like typical brothers. There is deception, jealousy, murder threats and more.

There is even evidence of miscommunication between son and parent. Rivkah hustles Yaakov into the infamous deception but he strikes us (and the Midrash) as reluctant. Esav thinks that taking a wife from the Ishmaelite will please his dad. Does it?

As we step back we recognize that Rivkah and Yitzchak are indeed the righteous ancestors. Yaakov and Esav are their flesh and blood. Can we square that with the tragi-comedy that is Toldos? Is Yitzchak really blind or just playing an ace up his sleeve? Does Rivkah know something Yitzchak does not? Is Esau the bad apple or truly meritorious? Who does Yaakov really fear?