VOLUME 118 NUMBER 6
Kislev 1, 5786
November 21, 2025
Parshas Toldos
Candlelighting Time 4:21
Rivka was instructed through Divine inspiration to tell Yaakov to get the blessings of the first born from Yitzchok. He was unaware of that and was concerned that his father would touch him and realize that he was not Eisav and curse him. Rivka dressed him with arms covered with animal fur and that would be sufficient to mislead Yitzchok. Taken within the context of this episode, it would appear that Yaakov’s concern was simply that the hoax would be exposed. However, there may be a deeper more profound insight.
Rav Yeruchem Levovitz, the Mashgiach, the spiritual guide for the students of the Mir Yeshiva in Europe davened an extremely long Shemoneh Esreh. Even on Rosh Hashanah when everyone is deeply involved in the prayers, his Shemoneh Esreh lasted for hours, only concluding after the students had already eaten their Yom Tov meal. Rav Nosson Wachtfogel the future Mashgiach of the Lakewood Yeshiva was interested to hear what Rav Yeruchem would say to himself upon concluding his prayers. Therefore, he concealed himself nearby and overheard him saying “Perhaps he will feel me and I will be looked upon as mocking him.” This seemed to be a takeoff from Yaakov’s comment to his mother when he was concerned that his father would realize that he was impersonating Eisav and therefore curse him. And indeed, it was but with a reflective consideration. In other words, Yaakov was not simply worried that Yitzchok would become wise of his antics which would have been bad enough. However, more so how could Yaakov comfortably conduct himself in front of his father in this manner. Of course, in the above situation Rav Yeruchem’s reference was towards Hashem. He was critiquing himself and evaluating his performance. Certainly, after davening with such passion one might be inclined to praise himself for such a noble and intense davening. And that was exactly what Rav Yeruchem wanted to avoid. And perhaps in extension that might have also been an agenda that occurred to Yaakov as he prepared to enter and receive his father’s blessing. Is my conduct appropriate, perhaps to exercise this degree of subterfuge to become blessed is too much!
Rav Moshe Sternbuch the chief Dayan in the Beis Din in Jerusalem presents this story with Rav Yeruchem as a guide for all. We should never be satisfied with our accomplishments. Of course, we can be proud of what we have achieved but never to the extent to be complacent or even worse to gloat about what we have done. That unfortunate notion would entirely destroy what mitzvah we were involved in. It certainly is a fine line between conceit and humility. On the one hand, to have a good feeing about what we have done and yet to avoid it becoming a source of self-aggrandizement is a tremendous challenge. When the Mishnah noted that when Rav Yehuda HaNasi the author and organizer of the Mishnaic code died, the last of humble personalities had departed, Rav Yosef famously commented that he is still present. One would be aghast at such a smug remark. However, Rav Yosef was aware that all that he had accomplished in life was due to Divine intervention in bestowing upon him the ability to achieve at such a level.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
When confronted with the obligations of the first born Eisav eschewed the opportunity stating that what need do I have for such a right, for tomorrow I will die. Whereas we read in Pirkei Avos how we should view death as a facilitator to repent and achieve in life as much as possible. CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABB0S
