📘 Parsha Insights – Rashi Commentary Q&A
Rashi Q&A – Bereishit 25:19–34 (Toldos)
Birth and Background
Q: Why does the Torah say both “Isaac son of Abraham” and “Abraham fathered Isaac”?
A: To refute scoffers who claimed Isaac was Avimelech’s child. Hashem made Isaac’s face resemble Abraham’s.
Q: How old was Yitzchak when he married Rivka?
A: 40 years old. He waited three years after the Akedah until Rivka was ready for marriage.
Q: Why repeat Rivka’s lineage?
A: To praise her: daughter of a wicked man, sister of a wicked man, from a corrupt place—yet she remained righteous.
Prayer and Pregnancy
Q: What does “וַיֶּעְתַּר” mean?
A: Persistent, abundant prayer. Yitzchak prayed opposite Rivka; Hashem answered his prayer, not hers, because he was a tzaddik son of a tzaddik.
Q: What does “וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ” (struggled) mean?
A: Jacob ran toward Torah; Esau toward idolatry. They also fought over two worlds—Olam Hazeh and Olam Haba.
Q: What did Hashem tell Rivka?
A: Two nations, two powers; they will never be equal—when one rises, the other falls. The elder will serve the younger.
Birth of Twins
Q: Why is “תֹמִם” written defectively?
A: Because one twin (Esau) was wicked, unlike Tamar’s twins where both were righteous.
Q: Describe Esau at birth.
A: Ruddy and hairy—sign of bloodshed.
Q: Why was he named Esau?
A: He was fully formed (עָשׂוּי).
Q: Why was Yaakov holding Esau’s heel?
A: To delay Esau, since Yaakov was conceived first and deserved the birthright.
Character Development
Q: When did their differences become clear?
A: At age 13—Yaakov went to Torah study; Esau to idolatry.
Q: What does “יֹדֵעַ צַיִד” mean?
A: Esau deceived his father with cunning questions, pretending piety.
Q: What does “תָּם” mean?
A: Yaakov was straightforward—his heart matched his mouth.
Sale of Birthright
Q: What was Yaakov cooking?
A: Lentils—for Abraham’s mourning meal.
Q: Why lentils?
A: Round like a wheel—symbol of mourning; no “mouth,” like a mourner who doesn’t greet.
Q: Why did Esau want the stew?
A: He was exhausted—from murder.
Q: What does “מִכְרָה כַיּוֹם” mean?
A: Sell clearly, like the clarity of day.
Q: Why did Yaakov want the birthright?
A: Firstborns served in the Mikdash; Esau was unfit.
Q: Why did Esau despise the birthright?
A: He feared its obligations and punishments; said, “I’m going to die.”
Bereishit 26:1–5
Q: Why did Hashem forbid Yitzchak to go to Egypt during famine?
A: He was an unblemished offering; leaving Eretz Yisrael was improper.
Q: What blessings did Hashem promise?
A: Land, countless descendants, nations blessed through him.
Q: Why?
A: Because Abraham obeyed Hashem—kept mitzvot, decrees, and even Oral Law.
