Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, Yaakov Avinu receives the primary brachos from Yitzchak Avinu, receiving the dew of the heavens and the fat of the earth, along with dominion over his brother. Right as Yaakov leaves his father, Eisav returns from the field, prepares his game, and brings it to Yitzchak. When Yitzchak realizes that Yaakov has already taken the brachos, he trembles greatly, confirming that Yaakov will indeed remain blessed.

Eisav cries out in deep bitterness upon hearing what happened, accusing Yaakov of taking both his birthright and his brachos. Eisav begs his father for a bracha of his own, and Yitzchak grants him a blessing centered on the sword, predicting that Eisav will serve Yaakov, but can break free if Yisrael drops in their spiritual level. Eisav harbors intense hatred toward Yaakov and plots to kill him after Yitzchak passes away. Recognizing the threat, Rivkah urges Yaakov to flee to her brother Lavan in Haran, while convincing Yitzchak to send Yaakov away to find a proper shidduch from her family rather than marrying local Canaanite women.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וְיִתֶּןAnd may giveלְךָto youהָאֱלֹהִיםGodמִטַּלfrom the dew ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוּמִשְׁמַנֵּיand from the fatness ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוְרֹבand abundance ofדָּגָןgrainוְתִירֹשׁ׃and wine

רַשִׁ״י

ויתןAnd may He giveלך.to youיִתֵּןMay He giveוְיַחֲזֹרand returnוְיִתֵּןand giveבראשיתBereshisרבהRabbah.וּלְפִיAnd according toפְשׁוּטוֹits simple meaningמוּסָבit refers backלְעִנְיָןto the matterהָרִאשׁוֹן:firstרְאֵהSeeרֵיחַthe smell ofבְּנִיmy sonשֶׁנָּתַןthat gaveלוֹto himהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heכְּרֵיחַis like the smell ofשָׂדֶהa fieldוְגוֹ'etc.וְעוֹדand furthermoreיִתֵּןmay He giveלְךָto youמִטַּלfrom the dew ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְגוֹ':etc.

רַשִׁ״י

מטלFrom the dew ofהשמים.the heavensכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ;according to its literal meaningוּמִדְרְשֵׁיand Midrashic expositions ofאַגָּדָהAggadahיֵשׁthere areלְהַרְבֵּהto manyפָנִים:facets

רַשִׁ״י

האלהים.Godמַהוּwhat isהָאֱלֹהִים?Godבַּדִּין;with strict judgmentאִםifרָאוּיworthyלְךָare youיִתֵּןHe will giveלְךָto youוְאִםand ifלָאוnotלֹאnotיִתֵּןHe will giveלְךָ,to youאֲבָלbutלְעֵשָׂוto Esavאָמַרhe saidמִשְׁמַנֵּיfrom the fat places ofהָאָרֶץthe earthיִהְיֶהshall beמוֹשָׁבֶךָ,your dwellingבֵּיןwhetherצַדִּיקrighteousבֵּיןorרָשָׁעwickedיִתֵּןHe will giveלְךָ;to youוּמִמֶּנּוּand from himלָמַדlearnedשְׁלֹמֹה,Shlomoכְּשֶׁעָשָׂהwhen he madeהַבַּיִתthe Templeסִדֵּרhe arrangedתְּפִלָּתוֹ.his prayerיִשְׂרָאֵלan Israeliteשֶׁהוּאwho isבַעַלa possessor ofאֱמוּנָהfaithוּמַצְדִּיקand justifiesעָלָיוupon himselfאֶת—הַדִּיןthe judgmentלֹאwill notיִקְרָאcall outעָלֶיךָagainst Youתִּגָּר,a complaintלְפִיכָךְthereforeוְנָתַתָּand You shall renderלָאִישׁto the manבְכָלaccording to allדְּרָכָיוhis waysאֲשֶׁרwhoseתֵּדַעYou knowאֶת—לְבָבוֹhis heartמלכיםKingsא,Iח'8,אֲבָלhoweverנָכְרִיa non-Jewמְחֻסַּרlacking inאֲמָנָה,faithלְפִיכָךְthereforeאָמַרhe saidאַתָּהYouתִּשְׁמַעshall hearהַשָּׁמַיִם,in heavenוְעָשִׂיתָand actכְּכֹלaccording to allאֲשֶׁרthatיִקְרָאcalls outאֵלֶיךָto Youהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewשםthere,בֵּיןwhetherרָאוּיhe is worthyבֵּיןorשֶׁאֵינוֹhe is notרָאוּיworthyתֵּןgiveלוֹ,to himכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִקְרָאhe call outעָלֶיךָagainst Youתִּגָּר:a complaint

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

יַעַבְדוּךָMay serve youעַמִּיםpeoplesוישתחוandוְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּmay bow downלְךָto youלְאֻמִּיםnationsהֱוֵהBeגְבִירa masterלְאַחֶיךָto your brothersוְיִשְׁתַּחֲוּוּand may bow downלְךָto youבְּנֵיthe sons ofאִמֶּךָyour motherאֹרְרֶיךָthose who curse youאָרוּרare cursedוּמְבָרֲכֶיךָand those who bless youבָּרוּךְ׃are blessed

רַשִׁ״י

בניSons ofאמך.your motherוְיַעֲקֹבAnd Yaakovאָמַרsaidלִיהוּדָהto YehudahבְּנֵיSons ofאָבִיךָ,your fatherלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthat wereלוֹto himבָנִיםsonsמִכַּמָּהfrom severalאִמָּהוֹת,mothersוְכָאן,and hereשֶׁלֹּאthat notנָשָׂאhe marriedאֶלָּאbutאִשָּׁהwifeאַחַת,oneאוֹמֵרhe saysבְּנֵיsons ofאִמֶּךָyour motherבראשיתBereshitרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

ארריךthose who curse youארורare cursedומברכיךand those who bless youברוך.are blessedוּבְבִלְעָםand regarding Bilaamהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysמְבָרְכֶיךָthose who bless youבָרוּךְare blessedוְאֹרְרֶיךָand those who curse youאָרוּר?are cursedהַצַּדִּיקִיםthe righteousתְּחִלָּתָםtheir beginningיִסּוּרִיםis sufferingוְסוֹפָןand their endשַׁלְוָהis tranquilityוְאוֹרְרֵיהֶםand those who curse themוּמְצָעֲרֵיהֶםand cause them painקוֹדְמִיםprecedeלִמְבָרְכֵיהֶם,those who bless themלְפִיכָךְthereforeיִצְחָקYitzchakהִקְדִּיםplaced firstקִלְלַתthe curse ofאוֹרְרִיםthose who curseלְבִרְכַתto the blessing ofמְבָרְכִים;those who blessהָרְשָׁעִיםthe wickedתְּחִלָּתָןtheir beginningשַׁלְוָהis tranquilityוְסוֹפָןand their endיִסּוּרִין,is sufferingלְפִיכָךְthereforeבִּלְעָםBilaamהִקְדִּיםplaced firstבְּרָכָהblessingלִקְלָלָהbefore curseבראשיתBereshitרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיְהִיand it wasכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenכִּלָּהfinishedיִצְחָקYitzchakלְבָרֵךְto blessאֶת—יַעֲקֹבYaakovוַיְהִיand it wasאַךְjustיָצֹאgoingיָצָאoutיַעֲקֹבYaakovמֵאֵתfromפְּנֵיthe presence ofיִצְחָקYitzchakאָבִיוhis fatherוְעֵשָׂוand Esavאָחִיוhis brotherבָּאcameמִצֵּידוֹ׃from his hunt

רַשִׁ״י

יצאhad gone outיצא.had gone outזֶהthis oneיוֹצֵאgoes outוְזֶהand this oneבָא:comes

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיַּעַשׂAnd he madeגַּםalsoהוּאheמַטְעַמִּיםdelicaciesוַיָּבֵאand he broughtלְאָבִיוto his fatherוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidלְאָבִיוto his fatherיָקֻםLet ariseאָבִיmy fatherוְיֹאכַלand eatמִצֵּידfrom the game ofבְּנוֹhis sonבַּעֲבוּרso thatתְּבָרֲכַנִּיwill bless meנַפְשֶׁךָ׃your soul

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidלוֹto himיִצְחָקYitzchakאָבִיוhis fatherמִיWhoאָתָּהare youוַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאֲנִיI amבִּנְךָyour sonבְכֹרְךָyour firstbornעֵשָׂו׃Esav

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיֶּחֱרַדAnd trembledיִצְחָקYitzchakחֲרָדָהa tremblingגְּדֹלָהgreatעַדuntoמְאֹדexceedinglyוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidמִיWhoאֵפוֹאthenהוּאis heהַצָּדwho huntedצַיִדgameוַיָּבֵאand broughtלִיto meוָאֹכַלand I ateמִכֹּלof everythingבְּטֶרֶםbeforeתָּבוֹאyou cameוָאֲבָרֲכֵהוּand I blessed himגַּםalsoבָּרוּךְblessedיִהְיֶה׃he shall be

רַשִׁ״י

ויחרד.And he trembledכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹas its Targumוּתְוַהּ,and he was perplexedלְשׁוֹןan expression ofתְּמִיהָ.astonishmentוּמִדְרָשׁוֹand its Midrashרָאָהhe sawגֵּיהִנֹּםGehinnomפְּתוּחָהopenמִתַּחְתָּיו:from beneath him

רַשִׁ״י

מיWhoאפוא.thenלָשׁוֹןan expressionלְעַצְמוֹby itselfמְשַׁמֵּשׁservingעִםwithכַּמָּהseveralדְבָרִים;mattersאֵיפֹהwhere here–אַיֵּהwhereפֹה,hereמִיwhoהוּאis heוְאֵיפֹהand whereהוּאis heהַצָּדthat huntedצַיִד?venison

רַשִׁ״י

ואכלAnd I ateמכל.of allמִכָּלof allטְעָמִיםtastesשֶׁבִּקַּשְׁתִּיthat I soughtלִטְעֹם,to tasteטָעַמְתִּיI tastedבוֹin itבראשיתBereshisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

גםalsoברוךblessedיהיה.he shall beשֶׁלֹּאso that notתֹאמַרyou will sayאִלּוּלֵיif notשֶׁרִמָּהthat deceivedיַעֲקֹבYaakovלְאָבִיוhis fatherלֹאnotנָטַלwould he takeאֶת—הַבְּרָכוֹת,the blessingsלְכָךְthereforeהִסְכִּיםhe agreedוּבֵרְכוֹand blessed himמִדַּעְתּוֹof his own willבראשיתBereshisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

כִּשְׁמֹעַwhen hearingעֵשָׂוEsavאֶת—דִּבְרֵיthe words ofאָבִיוhis fatherוַיִּצְעַקand he criedצְעָקָהa cryגְּדֹלָהgreatוּמָרָהand bitterעַדuntilמְאֹדexceedinglyוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidלְאָבִיוto his fatherבָּרֲכֵנִיbless meגַםalsoאָנִיIאָבִי׃my father

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidבָּאcameאָחִיךָyour brotherבְּמִרְמָהwith guileוַיִּקַּחand he tookבִּרְכָתֶךָ׃your blessing

רַשִׁ״י

במרמה.With subtletyבְּחָכְמָה:with wisdom

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidהֲכִיIs it becauseקָרָאhe calledשְׁמוֹhis nameיַעֲקֹבYaakovוַיַּעְקְבֵנִיthat he supplanted meזֶהtheseפַעֲמַיִםtwo timesאֶת—בְּכֹרָתִיmy birthrightלָקָחhe tookוְהִנֵּהand beholdעַתָּהnowלָקַחhe tookבִּרְכָתִיmy blessingוַיֹּאמַרAnd he saidהֲלֹאHave you notאָצַלְתָּreservedלִּיfor meבְּרָכָה׃a blessing

רַשִׁ״י

הכיis it becauseקראhe calledשמו.his nameלְשׁוֹןan expression ofתֵּמַהּwonderהוּא,it isכְּמוֹlikeהֲכִיis it becauseאָחִיmy brotherאַתָּה,you areשֶׁמָּאperhapsלְכָךְfor thisנִקְרָאwas calledשְׁמוֹhis nameיַעֲקֹבYaakovעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofסוֹפוֹhis endשֶׁהוּאthat heעָתִידis destinedלְעָקְבֵנִי?to supplant meתַּנְחוּמָא.Tanchumaלָמָּהwhyחָרַדtrembledיִצְחָק?Yitzchakאָמַרhe saidשֶׁמָּאperhapsעָוֹןsinיֵשׁthere isבִּיin meשֶׁבֵּרַכְתִּיthat I blessedקָטָןthe youngerלִפְנֵיbeforeגָּדוֹלthe elderוְשִׁנִּיתִיand I alteredסֵדֶרthe order ofהַיַּחַס,the lineageהִתְחִילbeganעֵשָׂוEsavמְצָעֵקcrying outוַיַּעְקְבֵנִיand he supplanted meזֶהthisפַעֲמַיִם,two timesאָמַרsaidלוֹto himאָבִיוhis fatherמֶהwhatעָשָׂהdid he doלְךָ?to youאָמַרhe saidלוֹto himאֶת—בְּכֹרָתִיmy birthrightלָקָח,he tookאָמַרhe saidבְּכָךְover thisהָיִיתִיI wasמֵצֵרgrievedוְחָרֵדand tremblingשֶׁמָּאperhapsעָבַרְתִּיI transgressedעַלuponשׁוּרַתthe line ofהַדִּין,the lawעַכְשָׁוnowלַבְּכוֹרthe firstbornבֵּרַכְתִּי,I blessedגַּםalsoבָּרוּךְblessedיִהְיֶה:he shall be

רַשִׁ״י

ויעקבני.And he supplanteth meכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targumוּכְמַנִיand he ambushed me–אֲרָבַנִי;he lay in wait for meוְאָרַבand he lies in wait–וּכְמַן.and he ambushesוְיֵשׁand there areמְתַרְגְּמִיןwho translateוְחַכְּמַנִי,and he outwitted meנִתְחַכֵּםhe acted cleverlyלִי:against me

רַשִׁ״י

אצלת.Have you reservedלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַפְרָשָׁהsetting asideכְּמוֹlikeוַיָּאצֶל:and He separated

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיַּעַןAnd answeredיִצְחָקYitzchakוַיֹּאמֶרand saidלְעֵשָׂוto Esavהֵןbeholdגְּבִירa masterשַׂמְתִּיוI made himלָךְover youוְאֶתand —כָּלallאֶחָיוhis brothersנָתַתִּיI gaveלוֹto himלַעֲבָדִיםfor servantsוְדָגָןand grainוְתִירֹשׁand wineסְמַכְתִּיוI sustained himוּלְכָהand for youאֵפוֹאthenמָהwhatאֶעֱשֶׂהcan I doבְּנִי׃my son

רַשִׁ״י

הןBeholdגביר.a masterבְּרָכָהblessingזוֹthisשְׁבִיעִיתseventhהִיא,isוְהוּאand heעוֹשֶׂהmakesאוֹתָהּitרִאשׁוֹנָה?firstאֶלָּאratherאָמַרhe saidלוֹto himמַהwhatתּוֹעֶלֶתbenefitלְךָfor youבַּבְּרָכָה?in blessingאִםifתִּקְנֶהyou acquireנְכָסִים,propertyשֶׁלּוֹhisהֵם,they areשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdגְּבִירa masterשַׂמְתִּיוI made himלָךְ,over youוּמַהand whateverשֶּׁקָּנָהacquiresעֶבֶדa servantקָנָהacquiredרַבּוֹ:his master

רַשִׁ״י

ולכהand unto youאפאnowמהwhatאעשה.shall I doאַיֵּהwhereאֵיפֹאhereאֲבַקֵּשׁshall I seekמַהwhatלַּעֲשׂוֹתto doלְךָ:for you

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidעֵשָׂוEsavאֶלtoאָבִיוhis fatherהַבְרָכָהIs blessingאַחַתoneהִואitלְךָto youאָבִיmy fatherבָּרֲכֵנִיbless meגַםalsoאָנִיIאָבִיmy fatherוַיִּשָּׂאand raisedעֵשָׂוEsavקֹלוֹhis voiceוַיֵּבְךְּ׃and wept

רַשִׁ״י

הברכהIs [there] a blessingאחת.oneהֵ"אthe letterhehזוֹthisמְשַׁמֶּשֶׁתserves [as]לְשׁוֹןan expression ofתְּמִיהָ,wonderכְּמוֹlikeהַבְּמַחֲנִים?whether in campsהַשְּׁמֵנָהwhether fatהִיא?it [is]הַכְּמוֹתshould like the death ofנָבָל?a churl

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיַּעַןAnd answeredיִצְחָקYitzchakאָבִיוhis fatherוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאֵלָיוto himהִנֵּהbeholdמִשְׁמַנֵּיfrom the fatness ofהָאָרֶץthe earthיִהְיֶהshall beמוֹשָׁבֶךָyour dwellingוּמִטַּלand from dew ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensמֵעָל׃from above

רַשִׁ״י

משמניFrom the fatness ofארץthe earthוגו'.etc.זוֹthis isאִיטָלִיאָהItalyשֶׁלofיָוָן:Greece

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְעַלand byחַרְבְּךָyour swordתִחְיֶהyou shall liveוְאֶתand —אָחִיךָyour brotherתַּעֲבֹדyou shall serveוְהָיָהand it shall beכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenתָּרִידyou grow restiveוּפָרַקְתָּand you shall breakעֻלּוֹhis yokeמֵעַלfrom offצַוָּארֶךָ׃your neck

רַשִׁ״י

ועלand byחרבך.your swordכְּמוֹis likeבְּחַרְבְּךָ,by your swordיֵשׁthere isעַלalבִּמְקוֹםin place ofבְּ',the prefix beisכְּמוֹsuch asעֲמַדְתֶּםyou stoodעַלbyחַרְבְּכֶםyour sword–בְּחַרְבְּכֶם;by your swordעַלbyצִבְאֹתָםtheir hosts–בְּצִבְאֹתָם:by their hosts

רַשִׁ״י

תריד.rovest aboutלְשׁוֹןan expression ofצַעַרgriefכְּמוֹlikeאָרִידI am distraughtבְּשִׂיחִי,in my complaintכְּלוֹמַר,that is to sayכְּשֶׁיַּעַבְרוּwhen transgressיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelעַלonהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahוְיִהְיֶהand there will beלְךָto youפִּתְחוֹןan opening ofפֶּהmouthלְהִצְטַעֵרto feel aggrievedעַלoverהַבְּרָכוֹתthe blessingsשֶׁנָּטַל,that he tookופרקתthen you shall breakעלוhis yokeוגומרand so forth:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיִּשְׂטֹםand hatedעֵשָׂוEsavאֶת—יַעֲקֹבYaakovעַלbecause ofהַבְּרָכָהthe blessingאֲשֶׁרthatבֵּרֲכוֹblessed himאָבִיוhis fatherוַיֹּאמֶרand saidעֵשָׂוEsavבְּלִבּוֹin his heartיִקְרְבוּwill approachיְמֵיthe days ofאֵבֶלmourning forאָבִיmy fatherוְאַהַרְגָהand I will killאֶת—יַעֲקֹבYaakovאָחִי׃my brother

רַשִׁ״י

יקרבוshall approachימיthe days ofאבלmourning forאבי.my fatherכְּמִשְׁמָעוֹ,according to its plain meaningשֶׁלֹּאso that notאֲצָעֵרI will cause griefאֶת—אַבָּא,fatherוּמִדְרְשֵׁיand Midrashic explanations ofאַגָּדָהAggadahלְכַמָּהto severalפָנִיםaspectsיֵשׁ:there are

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיֻּגַּדand it was toldלְרִבְקָהto Rivkahאֶת—דִּבְרֵיthe words ofעֵשָׂוEsavבְּנָהּher sonהַגָּדֹלthe olderוַתִּשְׁלַחand she sentוַתִּקְרָאand she calledלְיַעֲקֹבfor Yaakovבְּנָהּher sonהַקָּטָןthe youngerוַתֹּאמֶרand she saidאֵלָיוto himהִנֵּהbeholdעֵשָׂוEsavאָחִיךָyour brotherמִתְנַחֵםis consoling himselfלְךָregarding youלְהָרְגֶךָ׃to kill you

רַשִׁ״י

ויגדAnd it was toldלרבקה.to Rivkahבְּרוּחַthrough the spiritהַקֹּדֶשׁof holinessהֻגַּדit was toldלָהּto herמַהwhatשֶּׁעֵשָׂוthat Esavמְהַרְהֵרwas thinkingבְּלִבּוֹ:in his heart

רַשִׁ״י

מתנחםdoth comfortלך.himself concerning youנִחָםhe regretsעַלforהָאַחְוָהthe brotherhoodלַחֲשֹׁבto thinkמַחֲשָׁבָהa thoughtאַחֶרֶתdifferentלְהִתְנַכֵּרto estrange himselfלְךָfrom youוּלְהָרְגְּךָ.and to kill youוּמִדְרַשׁand the MidrashאַגָּדָהAggadahכְּבָרalreadyאַתָּהyou areמֵתdeadבְּעֵינָיוin his eyesוְשָׁתָהand he drankעָלֶיךָover youכּוֹסa cupשֶׁלofתַּנְחוּמִים.consolationוּלְפִיand according toפְּשׁוּטוֹits plain meaningלְשׁוֹןan expression ofתַּנְחוּמִים,comfortingמִתְנַחֵםcomforts himselfהוּאheעַלforהַבְּרָכוֹתthe blessingsבַּהֲרִיגָתְךָ:by your killing

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְעַתָּהAnd nowבְנִיmy sonשְׁמַעlistenבְּקֹלִיto my voiceוְקוּםand ariseבְּרַחfleeלְךָfor yourselfאֶלtoלָבָןLavanאָחִיmy brotherחָרָנָה׃to Haran

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְיָשַׁבְתָּand you shall stayעִמּוֹwith himיָמִיםdaysאֲחָדִיםa fewעַדuntilאֲשֶׁרthatתָּשׁוּבsubsidesחֲמַתthe fury ofאָחִיךָ׃your brother

רַשִׁ״י

אחדים.fewמֻעָטִים:few

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

עַדuntilשׁוּבsubsidesאַףthe anger ofאָחִיךָyour brotherמִמְּךָfrom youוְשָׁכַחand he forgetsאֵת—אֲשֶׁרthat whichעָשִׂיתָyou didלּוֹto himוְשָׁלַחְתִּיand I will sendוּלְקַחְתִּיךָand bring youמִשָּׁםfrom thereלָמָהwhyאֶשְׁכַּלshould I be bereaved ofגַּםalsoשְׁנֵיכֶםboth of youיוֹםin dayאֶחָד׃one

רַשִׁ״י

למהwhyאשכל.shall I be bereavedאֶהְיֶהshall I beשַׁכּוּלָהbereavedמִשְּׁנֵיכֶם.of both of youהַקּוֹבֵרone who buriesאֶת—בָּנָיוhis childrenקָרוּיis calledשַׁכּוּל,bereavedוְכֵןand soבְּיַעֲקֹבwith Yaakovאָמַרit saysכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asשָׁכֹלְתִּיI am bereavedשָׁכָלְתִּי:I am bereaved

רַשִׁ״י

גםalsoשניכם.both of youאִםifיָקוּםhe risesעָלֶיךָagainst youוְאַתָּהand youתַּהַרְגֶנּוּkill himיַעַמְדוּwill standבָנָיוhis sonsוְיַהַרְגוּךָ;and kill youוְרוּחַand the spiritהַקֹּדֶשׁof holinessנִזְרְקָהwas sparkledבָהּin herוְנִתְנַבְּאָהand she prophesiedשֶׁבְּיוֹםthat on dayא'oneיָמוּתוּ,they will dieכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁמְּפֹרָשׁthat is explainedבְּפֶרֶקin the chapterהַמְקַנֵּאone who warnsלְאִשְׁתּוֹ:his wife

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַתֹּאמֶרAnd saidרִבְקָהRivkahאֶלtoיִצְחָקYitzchakקַצְתִּיI am disgustedבְחַיַּיwith my lifeמִפְּנֵיbecause ofבְּנוֹתthe daughters ofחֵתChetאִםIfלֹקֵחַtakesיַעֲקֹבYaakovאִשָּׁהa wifeמִבְּנוֹתfrom the daughters ofחֵתChetכָּאֵלֶּהlike theseמִבְּנוֹתfrom the daughters ofהָאָרֶץthe landלָמָּהwhyלִּיfor meחַיִּים׃life

רַשִׁ״י

קצתיI am disgustedבחיי.with my lifeמָאַסְתִּיI despiseבְחַיַּי:my life

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיִּקְרָאand calledיִצְחָקYitzchakאֶלtoיַעֲקֹבYaakovוַיְבָרֶךְand blessedאֹתוֹhimוַיְצַוֵּהוּand instructed himוַיֹּאמֶרand saidלוֹto himלֹאyou shall notתִקַּחtakeאִשָּׁהa wifeמִבְּנוֹתfrom the daughters ofכְּנָעַן׃Canaan

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

קוּםAriseלֵךְgoפַּדֶּנָהto PaddanאֲרָםAramבֵּיתָהto the house ofבְתוּאֵלBethuelאֲבִיfather ofאִמֶּךָyour motherוְקַחand takeלְךָfor yourselfמִשָּׁםfrom thereאִשָּׁהa wifeמִבְּנוֹתfrom the daughters ofלָבָןLavanאֲחִיbrother ofאִמֶּךָ׃your mother

רַשִׁ״י

פדנה.Padanahכְּמוֹis likeלְפַדָּן:to Padan

רַשִׁ״י

ביתהTo the house ofבתואל.Betuelלְבֵיתto the house ofבְּתוּאֵל,BetuelכָּלAnyתֵּבָהwordשֶׁצְּרִיכָהthat requiresלָמֶ"דa Lamedבִּתְחִלָּתָהּat its beginningהֵטִילhe placedלָהּfor itהֵ"אa Heiבְּסוֹפָהּat its endיבמותYevamosי"ג13b:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וְאֵלAnd GodשַׁדַּיShaddaiיְבָרֵךְblessאֹתְךָyouוְיַפְרְךָand make-you-fertileוְיַרְבֶּךָand multiply-youוְהָיִיתָand you shall becomeלִקְהַלan assembly ofעַמִּים׃peoples

רַשִׁ״י

ואלAnd Godשדי.AlmightyמִיHe Whoשֶׁדַּיhas sufficiencyבְּבִרְכוֹתָיוin His blessingsלַמִּתְבָּרְכִיןfor those blessedמִפִּיו,from His mouthיברךmay He blessאותךyou:

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וְיִתֶּןAnd may He giveלְךָto youאֶת—בִּרְכַּתthe blessing ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלְךָto youוּלְזַרְעֲךָand to your offspringאִתָּךְwith youלְרִשְׁתְּךָfor your inheritingאֶת—אֶרֶץthe land ofמְגֻרֶיךָyour sojourningsאֲשֶׁרwhichנָתַןgaveאֱלֹהִיםGodלְאַבְרָהָם׃to Avraham

רַשִׁ״י

את—ברכתthe blessing ofאברהם.Avrahamשֶׁאָמַרthat He saidלוֹto himוְאֶעֶשְׂךָand I will make youלְגוֹיinto a nationגָּדוֹלgreatוְהִתְבָּרְכוּand shall bless themselvesבְזַרְעֲךָin your seedיִהְיוּlet beאוֹתָןthoseבְּרָכוֹתblessingsאֲמוּרוֹתsaidבִּשְׁבִילְךָfor your sake–מִמְּךָfrom youיֵצֵאshall issueאוֹתוֹthatהַגּוֹיnationוְאוֹתוֹand thatהַזֶּרַעseedהַמְבֹרָךְ:blessed

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

This aliyah details Yitzchak blessing Yaakov with prosperity and rulership, followed immediately by Eisav's return and Yitzchak's intense trembling upon realizing the brachos were given away. Eisav cries bitter tears and demands a blessing, receiving a decree to live by the sword and serve his brother, with the caveat that he can break the yoke if Yaakov fails spiritually. Eisav plans to murder Yaakov after Yitzchak's death, prompting Rivkah to advise Yaakov to flee to Lavan in Haran. Rivkah then approaches Yitzchak about avoiding local Canaanite marriages, leading Yitzchak to charge Yaakov not to marry a local woman, bless him with the bracha of Avraham, and send him off to Paddan-aram to take a wife from Lavan's household.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

Look at what happens when Yitzchak realizes Yaakov took the brachos. The pasuk says Yitzchak trembled with a great fear, but immediately declared, "Gam baruch yihyeh", he shall indeed remain blessed! Yitzchak recognized right then and there that this was not a mistake or an accident. Hashem runs the world, and if Yaakov walked away with the brachos, then that is exactly what Hashem willed to happen. There is no arguing with Hashem's hashgacha.

So often in life, things do not go according to our plans. A deal falls through, a shidduch doesn't work out, or someone else gets the recognition or parnassah we thought was coming to us. The yetzer hara wants us to get angry, bitter, or try to fight the reality. But a Yid looks at the situation and realizes: Hashem directed this. It didn't happen because of so-and-so's trickery or bad luck; Hashem is behind the curtain, guiding every single detail for our ultimate good.

When you face a sudden change of plans or a disappointment today, stop before reacting. Remind yourself that Hashem is in charge, and say with emunah: "This too is from Hashem, and it is exactly what needs to happen."