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Parshat Toldot

By: Ms. Yosepha Sheinbein

The parsha begins with the challenge that all the avot had to deal with at one point in their lives-their wife being barren. Interestingly, each one of them handled it differently than the next. In ôø÷ ë "ä:ë "à it tells us that ëà  åÇéÌÆòÀúÌÇø éÄöÀçÈ÷ ìÇä ìÀðÉëÇç àÄùÑÀúÌåÉ, ëÌÄé òÂ÷ÈøÈä äÄåà; åÇéÌÅòÈúÆø ìåÉ ä, åÇúÌÇäÇø øÄáÀ÷Èä àÄùÑÀúÌåÉ . Yitzchak prayed to Hashem opposite is wife because she was barren, and Hashem answered him, and Rifkah his wife got pregnant.

The first thing to note is that they both were praying-standing opposite one another. I love seeing the joint effort for what must have been joint suffering. To me, it shows a tremendous amount about their relationship. But then you get to the more curious part of the ôñå÷ , that it tells us åÇéÌÅòÈúÆø ìåÉ ä , and Hashem answered HIM. So Rashi addresses the question asking why it specifies "him" rather than "hers" or "theirs?"
The answer he brings is that you cannot compare the prayers of a öãé÷ who is the son of a öãé÷ to the prayers of a öãé÷ daughter of a øùò . At first glace, that is a very bothersome answer. How can you say that someone who left the ways of their family to do the right thing and improve themselves isnt comparable to someone born into a great family?! But when you analyze the concept a little deeper it helps understand the challenge of a "life of expectations." éöç÷ grew up watching his parents be amazing models of G-d fearing people. They followed in the instructions given to them by G-d and were well known throughout the country and beyond for their monotheistic believes and even the miracles done for them. I cant imagine what it must have been like to be their son. Everyone has such high expectations for you, especially your parents. I would imagine the temptation to rebel, be your own person, set your own new different reputation would be incredibly enticing. Most people dont like to follow rules. And G-d, having designed us, understands that. Hence in halacha we belief -Greater is the one who was commanded to do the commandment than the one who does it and was not commanded  âãåì äîöååä åòåùä îîé ùàéðå îöååä åòåùä .  å  

Hashem is validating how challenging it is to follow the rules given to us. People like to "choose" what to do rather than being told. And therefore it makes sense that Hashem is acknowledging how impressive éöç÷ is at this point. To have been told what to do all these years, and know what everyone expected of you, and STILL live up to that expectation is truly remarkable! We all want to make our unique mark in this world, and this ôñå÷ is showing us that the best way to do that is to follow the positive footprints in front if us.