Bs”d
Parshas Toldos (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
It is related in our parsha the puzzling episode of Yitzchok Avinu engaging in intimacy with his wife and being observed by Avimelelch, something which is opposed to the laws of decency and the Torah mentality. Perhaps we can explain this with the understanding that Yitzchok Avinu was the pillar of Avoda, meaning that he was a giant in perceiving the essence of the world as a manifestation of the word of Hashem. As the Nefesh HaChayim warns, greatness in this area can lead to a lack of being in touch with the reality of the boundaries in the creation. For Yitzchok the intimacy was, as the Ramban relates to Adam and Chava, acts of complete holiness. Yitzchok was partaking in “Shala Shudis” with his wife. The lesson for us is when inspired to the idealism of holiness, not to lose sight of the sensitivity of the feelings of others and realistic requirements.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.