Three Torah Portions– Lech Lecha, Vayeira and Chayei Sarah– describe the life of Avraham. Later, there are even more portions written about Yaakov. However, Yitzchak, the second of the forefathers, was the central character of only one portion– Parshat Toldot.
Even the stories written about Yitzchak often paint him as a passive individual. For example, the “Binding of Yitzchak,” where he was almost killed by his own father by the command of God, was told from Avraham’s perspective. Similarly, the story of Chayei Sarah discusses the process of Eliezer going out to find a wife for Yitzchak, However, Yitzchak was not mentioned in this recount. In fact, when Eliezer finds Yitzchak a wife, he describes Yitzchak as “the son of my master.” Eliezer does not even mention Yitzchak’s name.
Even more surprising is the fact that Yitzchak lived the longest out of all the patriarchs, yet he was mentioned the least.
So who was Yitzchak? If he was a passive member of our history, why should he be remembered?
The most active story regarding Yitzchak is the one told in Parshat Toldot: the story of the wells. During Avrahm’s lifetime his servants dug wells, but after Avraham died, the Philistines filled these wells with dirt to prevent them from being used. However, Yitzchak redug and restored these wells. After this, the verse explicitly stated, “[Yitzchak] gave them the same names that his father had given them.”
While digging in the land, Yitzchak’s servants discovered a fresh spring, but the men of Gerar argued, claiming ownership of the water Yiztchak’s servants found. After the conflict of this well, Isaac’s servants left and dug another well in a new place, but it too became a source of dispute. Finally, Yitzchak moved again to dig a third well. This time, no one fought over it. At this moment, Yiztchak declared that God had made room for them to prosper in the land. From there, Isaac went to Beer-Sheva where God appeared to Yiztchak reaffirming the covenant He made with Avraham. In response to this confirmation of blessing from God, Yitzchak built an altar and called out to God in thanks. And the story concludes with Yitzchak’s servants building another well.
It’s puzzling to see that our greatest story of Yiztchak taking action was that of him redigging the wells of his father. However, there is a deeper message to this story that I suggest can help us understand who Yiztchak was.
The stories of our forefathers show us the various roles in history there are to play.
In Masechet Sotah, Avraham is described as a man of loving-kindness. He opened his tent to those around him, which led him to become not just the founder of monotheistic ideology, but the one to spread it to others.
Then, in Masechet Makkot, Yaakov was described as a man of truth and faithfulness to God. This a reference to many of the events in Yaakov’s life. For example, Yaakov remained a man of integrity and truth despite living in Lavan’s house, where he endured deception and trickery.
While these explanations are explicitly linked to the events of the forefathers, Yitzchak’s description in the Talmud is less clear. Yitzchak, the link in the chain between Avraham and Yaakov, was described in Masechet Shabbat as a man of strength. This description, at face value, contradicts the basic portrayal of Yitzchak. He was a passive member of the Torah’s stories.
How was he the strong one?
Each of the patriarchs played an integral role in the establishment, development and continuation of Judaism. Beginning with Avraham, Judaism was established and spread to many. The story continues, not with Yitzchak, but because of Yitzchak.
We can see this by taking a deeper look into the stories told about Yitzchak.
Yitzchak laid on an altar under a knife held by his father. While he walked away alive, who would have blamed him for never forgiving his father?
Yitzchak’s brother was kicked out of his home by his father. While Yitzchak was the brother who remained in the home, who would have blamed him for never forgiving his father?
Every time Yitzchak tried to redig the wells of his father, he was met with conflict. Who would have blamed him for stopping to dig?
Despite the endless struggles he faced, Yitzchak remained faithful to the mission of his father, and he ultimately laid the foundation for Yaakov to continue the initial legacy of Avraham.
Rabbanit Shani Taragin explained, “Though less glamorous than discoveries of new sources of water, stories of revisiting the past and maintaining his father’s legacy are recorded to highlight the message of perpetuation.”
Looking back at our story in Toldot, we can see the way Yitzchak not only preserved the legacy of his father, but paved the way for the generations to come.
In our story, first, Yiztchak and his servants restored the wells of his father. Second, Yitzchak renamed the wells the names his father gave them. Third, Yitzchak acknowledged God. Fourth, God reaffirmed the promise of Avraham. Fifth, Yitzchak thanked God through an offering. Lastly, “Yitzchak pitched his tent there and his servants started digging a well.”
This story follows a simple, yet impactful, pattern. First, Yitzchak reconnected to the legacy of his father after enduring hardships. Second, Yitzchak reaffirms this connection to his father’s legacy and gives credit to Avraham’s hard work. Third, Yitzchak takes action in the legacy of his father, by recognizing God. Fourth, God reaffirms Yitzchak has preserved his father’s mission, and is on the right path, paving the way for the future. Lastly, Yitzchak confidently takes action in taking his own steps towards continuing the work of his father by digging his own well.
Yitzchak’s trait of strength was shown through his ability to, despite enduring hardships, remain steadfast in the values of his father, take action in ensuring the continuation of that legacy, and pave the way for future generations to continue in the ways of his father.
As Thanksgiving, a holiday revolving around family time, approaches, I think about the legacy of my ancestors that my Grandmother, Savta Miriam, instilled in me at every family gathering.
Everytime there is a family get-together, like Thanksgiving, Savta Miriam tells the story of her parents and my grandfather’s parents. My Savta’s parents and older sister were Holocaust survivors. They came to America in 1944. My Grandfather’s father escaped Europe in 1921. He arrived in America with younger siblings and no parents. At the young age of 19, my great-grandfather needed to make a living for his family. He would roll cigarettes daily with his brother and sell them to feed their family.
While every person in my family played a part in the continuation of my family line, my Savta Miriam’s role is clear. She redigs the wells of the people that came before her, ensuring their continuity. She reminds me of the resilience and kindness of my ancestors. She acts with the values of the generations before her, and finally, she imbues those values in her children, building the wells of the future.
This Thanksgiving, I will take a moment to remember the pattern Yitzchak’s story taught me.
First, I will take a moment to remember the Toldot of my past, and ponder the role I will play in ensuring the continuity of my past in my future.
Then, I will take a moment to thank the generations that came before me, and, finally, I will play an active role in continuing their legacy.
