Yitzhak's Character

Found 15 Search results

1. The Blindness of Yitzhak

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   Who is Isaac? Why, despite his seemingly passive nature, is he named as one of the patriarchs?

2. The Tenacity of Yitzhak

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutes

   Compared to the other forefathers, Yitzchak often seems to be presented as passive. Some say that his lack of originality is crucial for the successful continuity of Abraham’s legacy. But is it really fitting for a forefather to have no real distinctive characteristic of his own? Does this approach give enough credit to Yitzchak? This shiur develops another perspective, one which illuminates Yitzchak’s unique contribution.

3. Yitzhak

   HaTanakh.com Staff

4. Midrash and Peshat - Why Was Yitzhak Blind?

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 58 minutes

   Why did Yitzhak love Esav more than Yaakov? Many midrashim grapple with this question, attempting to understand Yitzhak's reasoning behind his favoritism. Through a close examination of a number of these midrashim, we can try to understand the deeper meaning of each midrash and what it reveals about the spiritual psychology of Yitzhak. 

5. The Forefathers and the Akeida: Visions of the Future

   Rabbi David Silverberg

6. Dividing the Berakhot

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   The question of why Yitzchak wanted to give Esav the berakhot (blessings) is one of the most widely discussed by commentators on Bereishit. This article approaches this question by providing insight into the different world views experienced by Ytizchak and Rivka, and their vastly different character traits, which serves as the reasoning behind Yitzchak wanting to bless Esav, and Rivka ultimately plotting to steal the blessing for Yaakov.  

7. Yitzhak and Be'er Lachai-Roi

   Rabbi David Fuchs

8. Yitzhak in the Field: Prayer and Agriculture

   Rabbi David Silverberg

9. Yitzhak - Continuity and Renewal

   Reuven Lavi

10. "In the Merit of Avraham" - Critique of Yitzhak?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

11. Wealth, Power, and "the Man"

    Rabbi David Silverberg

12. Yitzhak: Following Avraham's Footsteps

    Rabbi David Silverberg

13. Praying Opposite Rivka

    Rabbi David Silverberg

14. Wells, Journeys, and Marriages: Hidden Patterns in Biblical Stories

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | Hour and 10 minutes

    The well betrothal scene is a common type scene in the Tanakh. Through a careful examination of each betrothal scene in light of the others, we can identify each of their unique features in order to more deeply understand each of the stories, the identities of the characters, and the legacy that emerges.

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

15. “Avraham begot Yitzchak”

    Rabbi Shimon Klein

    At the beginning of Parashat Toldot, Yitzchak is referred to as “Yitzchak, son of Avraham,” but the text then goes on to note, “Avraham begot Yitzchak.” The reader is perplexed: is this statement of lineage not a reformulation of what has just been said? Indeed, on the level of objective fact, it says exactly the same thing. In terms of inner essence, however, the focus is quite different. In the phrase, “Yitzchak, son of Avraham,” the subject is Yitzchak, and these words serve as an introduction to the description of his life and works. The fact that he is referred to as “son of Avraham” points to his direction, his source of inspiration. However, the text does not suffice with this statement of lineage, but invites us, as it were, to view the matter from a different perspective, where the subject is Avraham. It is Avraham who is dominant; it is he who bore Yitzchak and molded his character. A powerful paternal presence emerges from this description. In this shiur, we will embark on a journey through the text to locate the roots and essence of this presence.