1) Ch. 25, v. 23: "Ul'ome mil'ome ye'emotz" – And one nation over the other nation will dominate – Rashi says that the two nations represented by Yaakov and Eisov cannot both be on top. When one elevates itself the other falls. Who is in control of this see-saw, Yaakov or Eisov?
2) Ch. 26, v. 18: "Va'yoshov Yitzchok va'yachpore" – This verse relates that Yitzchok revitalized the wells that his father Avrohom's servants had dug, which were plugged up by the Plishtim after the death of Avrohom. Not only did Yitzchok remove the sand that was dumped into the wells, but also renamed the wells with the same names given by his father. This requires some explanation.
1) Why does the Torah tell us this at all?
2) Why would anyone in his right mind plug up a well, since potable drinking water and irrigation water are needed by all? (Rashi (Tosefta Sotoh 10:2) answers this.)
3) What is the significance of the names of the wells, let alone that Yitzchok insisted upon renaming them the same names that his father had given them?
4) What is meant by "Va'yoshov Yitzchok?" Did he then return?
3) Ch. 27, v. 13: "Ach shma b'koli v'leich kach li" – Only hearken to my voice and go fetch for me – Since Rivkoh was commanding Yaakov to do “this and that," what did she add with her words "Ach shma b'koli?"
4) Ch. 27, v. 15: "Eisov bnoh haGODOL ...... Yaakov bnoh haKOTON" - Many explanations are offered for this verse pointing out that Eisov was Rivkoh's BIG son and Yaakov her SMALL son. The Psikta Rabosi 15:20 says that Eisov, the BIG one, calculates his dates by the BIG one, the sun, while Yaakov, the SMALL one, calculates his dates by the SMALL one, the moon. Why is this being pointed out here?
5) Ch. 27, v. 29: "V'yishtachavu l'cho bnei I'MECHO" - Rashi and Rashbam (M.R. 66:5) note that we find by Yehudoh's blessing "V'yishtachavu l'cho bnei OVICHO" (Breishis 49:8). They explain that since Yitzchok had only one wife he said "bnei I'MECHO," while Yaakov who had four wives said "bnei OVICHO." Tosfos Hasho'leim adds that Yitzchok would have also said "bnei OVICHO" to forewarn the possibility that he might take another wife and have children with her, but he knew that he would not take another wife. However, he wasn't sure that he would outlive Rivkoh, and if he were to die first there was the possibility that she would remarry and have more children. He therefore said "BNEI i'mecho," your mother's SONS in plural form. How was Yitzchok so sure that he would not take another wife?
Important Numbers
