- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Chayei Sara
706
But Yitzchak? He is dragged around throughout his entire life: first to the Akeida, then to the Chupa, then by his wife & kids - no wonder he lived in the city of G'rar, which means "dragged!" He seems to be distant, detached, depressed. And his name Yitzchak (laughter); what’s that about? This is a funny guy?! I don’t think so!
But, of course, I was naive. I misjudged Yitzchak. I didn’t quite get it. But now I think I do.
It starts with a pasuk in our Sedra, the very first time we encounter Yitzchak since the traumatic Akeida. The pasuk says: And Yitzchak went out in the field "lasuach." Rashi translates this word "la'suach" as praying; that is, Yitzchak was davening (by tradition, the evening/Maariv prayer). But if it means praying, then why not use the more obvious & common word, l’hitpalel?
No, the term clearly connects to the word "siyach," conversation. Yitz wasn’t just praying to G-d; he was also talking to Him! The Medrash, elsewhere, asks why all the Matriarchs (including Leah) were initially barren & struggleD to have children. The Medrash replies: "Hashem desires the prayer & the talk/siyach of the righteous." G-d knows that only in the depth of our despair can we utter our most sincere & heartfelt prayers to Him.
But prayer, my friends, is not enough. G-d also wants us to TALK to Him, to express our inner feelings & share our concerns, our thoughts on life, love, the world, on G-d. He cares about what we have to say! And though we Jews maybe great daveners, scrupulous in every syllable, we don’t often just pull up a chair & talk to G-d, who, after all, is a Great Listener who won’t get distracted or interrupt us!
Yitzchak has a lot to talk to G-d about. His mother is dead, his father took him to be sacrificed, & he came this close to death. He has trouble communicating with his wife, & massive problems with his kids (sound familiar?). So if he spends an inordinate amount of time praying, communing, beseeching & discussing with Hashem, can you blame him? The two of them have a lot to work out.
And so do we. There is a time to pray to G-d, & a time to close our Siddur & talk to Him. And I’m not sure which is more holy & valuable, & which He desires most. So, let’s do both! Talk - at least with G-d - is anything but cheap.

What to Look for in a Spouse
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | 21 Cheshvan 5785

How Much May I Charge?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 8 Shvat 5784

Parasha Summary - Chayey Sarah
An Overview of the Torah Portion
Rabbi Stewart Weiss

"...But He Could Not Become Warm."
Haftara of Chayei Sara
Rabbi Shimon Klein | 5761

Whatever Happened to the Mishkan?
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Adar I 21 5782

The War of the Kings and its Significance
Parashat Lech Lecha
Rabbi David Dov Levanon | 5762

Clean For Pesach And Enjoy The Seder
Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg zt"l | 5770

The Bracha on Blossoming Trees
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Adar II 27 5782
Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 89
R' Eli Stefansky | 16 Adar 5785
Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 86
R' Eli Stefansky | 13 Adar 5785
Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 90
R' Eli Stefansky | 17 Adar 5785
