What is True Strength? | Parshat Toldot | Into the Verse Podcast
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Toldot, contains the only story in the Bible that is really only about Isaac: the often overlooked story of the wells. Unlike Abraham and Jacob, about whom we have several chapters showing the greatness of their characters, this single story doesn’t obviously display Isaac’s distinction as one of the Patriarchs. However, the Sages come along and associate Isaac with the attribute of strength, but how does this brief story of the wells show us Isaac's might?
Join Adina Blaustein and Beth Lesch as they discover the true greatness of Isaac by exploring the striking parallels between Isaac and another Biblical character known for his strength, Samson the Mighty.
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0:00 Intro
0:13 Why is Isaac One of the Patriarchs?
2:14 Isaac Prays for a Child
4:35 The Start of the Samson Story
8:16 Prenatal Instructions for a Barren Prophetess
16:39 Fast Forward to the End of the Story
18:48 Two Blind Yitzchaks
24:56 Samson and the Philistines
28:39 Isaac and the Philistines
35:46 How the Stories Played Out Differently
40:53 Finding Isaac’s Greatness
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So the strength is greater when you can diffuse a situation and bring people togather instead of revenge or retaliation.
Also, at the time of Isaac, the lake has not been given to Israel. Isaac was a sojourner in the land and more subservient. However, Shimson was in the land after it had been given and he was defending the land that had been given to Israel.
Could it be that the way they responded differently (Issac and Samson) is because Issac was a sojourner in the land and in Sameon story the Phillistines took over the land.
Loved your teaching.
It is important to note that Shimshon never fought the Pelishtim in the name of God or in the name of Israel. He wasn't concerned with Israel's oppression but with his own honor, that was the constant object of his vengeance.
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I feel a lot of cross parallels.
What Yitzhak is for self perversion at start.
Shimshon used an excuse to mess with them when there is *no leaders* and tried not to exclate for the people of Judea (and the rest) to a full war.
Yitzhak did continue a stubborn well digging. Which he was allowed I presume. (He didn't stop digging either...) against him was just didn't like his success.
38:41 That was the grarr king treaty... as if they did nothing wrong... "I just told you leave our land to not make your fortune from our land."
But Yitzhak success isn't just from grarr land. So when he is still successful a bit far from king of garr just come to say "hey don't take it personally, no need for war right" שר צבאו עימו
Yitzhak thinks he there to keep running him out as he said "like why you here? you hate me do you."
Yitzhak is willing to agree like Abraham if peace is offered. But doesn't give up to say what is wrong.
TLdr
So I don't know what to do with the parallels in the storys but the Yitzhak didn't get peace just because he ran from the conflict.
He continued to find how to uncover his fathers wells even with interfered and tell wrong done to him when needed.
They see his success independent of where he was so the peace was offered and Yitzhak didn't refused.
The scholar in me was "geeking out" as well. I too learn by patterns and connections. I love how you walked us through your process. Both of these portions have left more questions than answers in the past. I am looking forward to reading/studying them together now.
I can see the point of resolving conflict by "finding room", as Avraham and Lot did the same when their men had contention, but it also seemed as though Yitsaq operated out of fear and did not lay claim to the wells which he or his father dug. The whole concept of wells and relating to conflict resolution and dealing with adversity is a whole deeper study. (See also pillars of earth/ flood - fighting & feeling walls of womb/birth - final judgment & death on nations with Shimshon)
See, I am geeking out with connections!
Back to the main point; knowing when to judge and when to back down and find space seems to be a key lesson. This is the second time Qoheleth chaper 3 has come to mind while typing this.
Yitsaq makes a covenant with the people of the land. Likewise, did his father (Bereshith 21:25-27 (same well 26:32-33), but then Mosheh is commanded not to make covenants with the people of the land in Shemoth 23:32. Interestingly the verses just prior speak of blessed bread and water, not being barren, and fear of Yah going before them. Bonus comparison/connection with hornets and bees.
Esau was pressed by Jacob for the birthright. Double portion / Strength.
Samson was pressed by Delilah for his secret of his strength. Bazar ire covenant
Yitzchok, was a man of study, to bring out his Gvurah in this teaching was delightful~
thank you for this positive feedback!
So well thought and walked out! Thank you for taking us on this journey!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing, thank you for sharing
My pleasure!
Where was Grar? Yitzchok as a potential offering was not allowed to leave Eretz Yisrael. So if Grar was outside of Eretz Yisrael it's a dilemma?
Gerar was in the southwest region of Eretz Yisrael or Canaan at the time. Yitzchak was traveling south, to escape the famine when God told him not to go any farther.
The two also represent the two pictures of Messiah. One more a servant nature and mild mannered. MESSIAH BEN YOSEF. one the warrior. MESSIAH BEN DAVID.