Rivka overheard Yitzchak tell Esav to prepare him delicacies "so that my soul may bless you before I die." She immediately went to Yaakov and told him that she will prepare the delicacies that Yitzchak loved. "Then bring it to your father and he shall eat, so that he may bless you before his death."
Yaakov was afraid and he replied, "Perhaps my father will feel me and I shall be seen as a mocker in his eyes; I will thus bring upon myself a curse rather than a blessing." Rivka replies, "Your curse be on me…."
The question one must ask at this point is why Yaakov agreed to proceed with this dangerous deception knowing it could put his mother in grave jeopardy?
For example, if a mother says that she is willing to go to jail in place of her son, what son would allow this? If anything, now that Rivka is in danger it should be more of a reason for Yaakov to resist! As long as there is any chance that Rivka will be harmed, Yaakov's natural reaction should be to protect her.
The Iban Ezra explains that Rivka's pledge was the universal language of women. A mother gives her life for the sake of her children. The blessing and success of the children is the blessing and success of their mother, likewise the curse and failure of the children is the curse and failure of their mother.
This is why Rivka says at the end of the parsha that if Yaakov takes a wife from bnai Chais, "what is life to me?"
This is why Rachel Imainu says to Yaakov in next week's parsha, "Give me children, otherwise I am dead."
The natural state of a woman is to put all her efforts into raising a family. Yaakov's failure to receive the ultimate blessing from Yitzchak would have been a fate equal to death for Rivka. It was the mesiras nefesh on the part of his mother, who willingly put her life on the line, which gave Yaakov the strength to risk his life for the blessing too. This would assure that future generations would uphold the Torah.
Furthermore, Hashem greatly cherishes the love that a mother has for her children. When Bnai Yisrael were led into exile the only entreaty that was accepted was that of Rachel Immainu.
Our women of valor are true heroes. The very survival of our nation in galus depends on the chinuch of our children and it falls on the shoulders of our great women. Let his word serve as a reminder to thank our mothers, and our wives, for the selflessness shown in caring for us and our children; how much attention and care that is given on all levels at the expense of sleep and while on the brink of collapse. No child’s need is too great and no mother’s mesirus nefesh is ever exhausted. Motherhood has the greatest potential influence in human life. Thank you mom, thank you my dear wife.
HAGGADAH: This is what has stood by our fathers and us! For not just one alone has risen against us to destroy us, but in every generation they rise against us to destroy us; and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from their hand!
In every generation there are nations that strive to destroy us. However, Hashem, our loving Father protects us. We do not know why Hashem allowed the massacre on. October 7th, but we do know Hashem loves and will help us to eliminate Hamas. In fact, Hashem’s love for us is so great that we cannot comprehend how much he loves each of us. Just as a parents protect their children, Hashem will protect us. May our prayers be answered swiftly and bring the hostages and our soldiers home safe and sound.
Over the years people have asked me if I would ever draw cartoons depicting some of the cases found in Yora Daya. Well, the answer is yes! I recently published a sefer called The Great Game of Kashrut. Click on the link to find out more: The Great Game of Kashrut
If you would like to dedicate a Davar Torah in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a beloved family member please contact Yisroel Simon at yisroel@judaism613.com.
Good Shabbos,R’ Channen