INSIGHT 5781 - #09: Bechira

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INSIGHT 5779 - #08: DISTINCTION

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As I mentioned in the Insight that the tension between Yaakov and Esav may reflect upon the very conflict of good versus evil, this was not intended in imply that the dialectic between unconditional love and merit also reflects this conflict. The reality of the dialectic is that it illustrates the complexity of the ethical choice for the reality is that most issues revolve around two values of import demanding proper balanced application as necessary. Unconditional love and merit both have their place; the challenge is to make the proper decision in this regard. Evil occurs when such a decision is not reached; even more so, when such a decision is not attempted with any diligence. Evil is the result of a desired simplicity and this is what Esav was attempting in not responding in any way to the depth of the dialectic. Yitzchak, Rivka and Yaakov, however, understood the depth of the dilemma and so each one searched for a possible solution that would best meet the need of the full dialectic, if possible. That is, in fact, the nature of the good to which we all are to strive.

Insight 5778-09: THE PARENT–CHILD RELATIONSHIP

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Insight 5777-10: BEYOND AND BETWEEN THE LINES

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Insight 5776-09: Yitzchak's Directive

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Study Question

1) In that Yishmael did teshuva, we may wonder why Yitzchak directed Yaakov to go to marry one of Lavan's daughters and did not send him to marry one of Yishmael's daughters as Esav actually did. One possibility may be that Yitzchak did not want any influences on Yaakov's family from the family of the wife of Yaakov, which would occur if Yaakov lived close to his wife's family. Another possibility may be that there was something specific to Rivkah's family that Yitzchak wished to be further integrated into Yaakov's family through a marriage to a daughter of Rivkah's brother Lavan. See Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky, Emet L'Yaakov, Bereishit 28:8.

2) My statement in the Insight that Esav totally missed the point. What else could he do? The commentators speak of the fact that Esav did not divorce his Canaanite wives but, even if one was obligated to listen to a father in regard to a command not to marry an inappropriate women such as these Canaanite women (and there are those who maintain that even though a father generally cannot intervene in a son's choice of a mate, in regard to a morally unsuitable wife the father can interfere), it could still be questionable if Esav should divorce his wives. 

Insight 5775-09: The Value of Wealth

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Study Question

1)

Insight 5773-09: The Stimulus Cause of Bracha

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