Lekutei Sichos Vol 25 pg 123 and Kuntres 19th Kislev 5752
When we compare Yitzchak Avinu to the other great Jewish leaders we find some peculiar details. He only married one women. He was told to never leave Israel. He didn’t wage wars. He loved Esav, his aggresive son. It’s hard to really understand who he was and what we can learn from him.
In this class we’re going to look at a few texts. The biblical renditions of his travels, the Talmuds portrayal of his greatness and how the Zohar ties in his contribution to the Jewish tradition of “Techias Hameisim, the climax of divine revelation”.
Download the the whole packet as a single PDF
Individual Texts
**Text 1. Bereshis (Genisis) Ch 26 with selected Rashi -**Words from our Torah that describe parts of Yitzchaks Journey
https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/8221/showrashi/true/jewish/Chapter-26.htm
Focus Text 1. Verses 26:1-3 Question for reflection: “Why is yitzchak refered to specifically as a burnt offering (olah) and what is unique about that kind of sacrifice”
Focus Text 2 ( Verses 26:23-28) Yitzchak’s reunion with Avimelech **Question for reflection: The passuk indicates something that Yitzchak Avinu did that triggered Aviemelech’s change of heart, what is it?
Text 2. Talmud Bavli “Yitzchak and the coming of Moshiach” Shabbat 89b The Gemara talks about the approach of the various patriarchs in the time to come
https://www.chabad.org/torah-texts/5443250/The-Talmud/Shabbat/Chapter-9/89b
Focus Text Yitzchaks Answer to Hashem **Question for reflection Don’t you think the Jews deserve consequences? What could be the basis for Yitzchaks compassion?
Text 4 Yeshayahu Chapter 2 – The relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the days of Moshiach
https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/15933/jewish/Chapter-2.htm