Yitzchak Avinu

Parshat Toldot gives us the greatest insight about Yitzchak Avinu. We were given much more information about Avraham and Yakov.

The Midrash comments on Yitzchak’s heroic at the Akeida, but his role is not mentioned in the text of the Torah. Many do not realize that he was thirty-seven years old when he showed his willingness to be offered as a sacrifice.

We are also told in this week’s Parsha that Avraham fathered Yitzchak. This Pasuk tells us that he emulated his father, and followed in his path of righteousness. Yitzchak even looked like Avraham.

He was considered extremely holy because of his being bound on the altar. Because of this, he was not allowed to leave Israel. This also explains why Eisav and Yakov both wanted to receive his blessings.

He was blessed with great wealth, which he tried to conceal. He did not want to arouse the jealousy of his neighbors. This was difficult to do when a large portion of his wealth was in livestock.

This led to a confrontation with Avimelech, who was very jealous of Yitzchak. They eventually made a treaty after Avimelech on two occasions stopped up the wells, dug by Yitzchak. The third time the wells were dug, the controversy had ended.

The Ramban wrote that the wells signified the Temples. The first and second were destroyed, but the third will last forever.

We recognize the greatness of Yitzchak thrice daily in the Amida prayer. We mention the G-d of Avraham, the G-d of Yitzchak, and the G-d of Yakov. Although a great deal was not written about Yitzchak, we recognize him as one of the great pillars of the Jewish people.