Parshas Toldos begins with a childless Yitzchok and Rivka praying to Hashem. The passuk tells us, (25:21) “And Yitzchok prayed to Hashem opposite his wife, because she was barren.” Rashi explains the word “opposite” that they each prayed in separate corners of the room, imploring Hashem for children, each in their own merit.
Perhaps there is a deeper meaning.
In his book, “Inside their Homes,” Rabbi Nachman Seltzer tells the story of his friend, Reb Binyamin, an American Kollel student, who enjoys a close relationship with Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlit”a, one of the greatest gedolim in our time.
Binyamin showed Rav Chaim a few comments and additions to one of Rav Chaim’s seforim. Rav Chaim enjoyed his comments, and mentioned that he believes that there are many additions to be made to the sefer, but since he does not have the time to reprint it, he would be delighted if Binyamin would take on the task.
Binyamin readily agreed. Rav Chaim asked him, “Do you think that people would be interested in a new volume of this sefer?” Reb Binyamin responded in the affirmative, but Rav Chaim was unconvinced, “I’m not sure people will buy it,” Rav Chaim told him.
Only a few months later, Binyamin came to Rav Chaim with the fruits of his labor in his hand. After adding many footnotes, comments, and more of Rav Chaim’s own writings into the manuscript, he transformed a 30 page pamphlet into a 200 page sefer. Only a short while later, the first printing was completely sold out!
After seeing the sefer’s success, Binyamin told Rav Chaim, “In the 15 years I know the Rav, I never heard anything that was not completely accurate. Yet this was the only time that the Rav was not correct.”
“What do you mean,” Rav Chaim asked.
“When I started the project,” Binyamin explained, “The Rav told me that he does not think that people will buy it. But the fact is that it sold out immediately!”
Putting his arm around Binyamin’s shoulder, Reb Chaim told him, “This is only in your merit!”
My grandfather, Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky zt”l explained this passuk in the name of the Amshinover Rebbe, Rav Yaakov Dovid Kalish zt”l. Yitzchok surely had a list of his own impressive virtues with which to deserve a child. He withstood the test of the Akeidah, he lived a life of complete spirituality, never leaving the Holy Land, and he was the epitome of avodah – service of Hashem.
Yet when he prayed, he did not beseech Hashem with his own merits, but just the opposite. He prayed that his wife Rivka’s merits should bring them a child. She grew up in the house of a wicked idolater, Bisuel, and was constantly exposed to her evil brother Lavan. Yet she stood steadfast in her purity and devotion to Hashem.
“She surely has more merit than me, to be deserving of a child!” Yitzchok had in mind.
Rivka did the same. Even though she had her own aforementioned merits, she also prayed to Hashem opposite her husband - that his zechus should bring them their child.
Our Avos and Imahos stood in their corners and prayed, but were the embodiment of humility and self-effacement.
Good Shabbos!
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