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Slandering the Wicked
This week's parasha tells how Isaac became
blind in his old age (Gen. 27:1). For what reason did this happen? Certainly age
was not the reason; in the era of the forefathers, many people were in their
physical prime at Isaac's age (123), and blindness was not mentioned about
anyone else. Also, shortly before this verse, the Torah states, "...and G-d
blessed Isaac" (Gen. 25:11). Shouldn't G-d's blessing prevent illnesses and in
particular blindness of which it is said, "one who is blind is as deceased" (Nedarim
64b). If so, what was the reason for Isaac's blindness?  | | " In blinding Isaac, G-d enabled Jacob to receive the blessings..." | | |
One of the reasons given is that Isaac favored Esau,
and G-d knew that he wished to give the primary blessings to Esau. In blinding
Isaac, G-d enabled Jacob to receive the blessings since Isaac would not see who
he was blessing. If Isaac could see, he would undoubtedly bless Esau, so G-d's
purpose was to reroute the blessings to Jacob.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe points out a basic question: Why
did G-d have to make Isaac blind for Jacob to be blessed. Wasn't there a more
direct way through showing Isaac how evil Esau really was. If Isaac could come
that conclusion, then of course he would chose Jacob to be blessed. Also, this
revelation about Esau shouldn't have come as too much of a shock. Isaac already
knew that Esau's wives were wicked women who served idols. Even if Isaac excused
Esau as not being responsible for his wives' sins or for unsuccessfully trying
to change their ways, this fact surely must indicate something as to Esau's
character. Also, even Isaac admitted that Esau "does not mention G-d's name very
often" ( Rashi on verse Gen. 27:21). If so, why didn't G-d just show Isaac that
Esau was a very sinful person and undeserving of the blessings?
The answer is that G-d did not want to speak
slanderously even about an evil person such as Esau. (Likewise, when Joshua
asked G-d for the name of the perpetrator of a sin, G-d answered "Am I your
tale-bearer?"; Joshua had to discover the man's identity through other means.
See Joshua ch. 7.) Therefore, the means for ensuring Jacob's receiving the
blessings was through causing Isaac's blindness. | | " Slanderous speech...is much worse than actual murder..." | | |
G-d Himself took extreme measures so as to refrain
from slanderous speech about the truly evil Esau. By observing how G-d, Who is
able to judge in a just manner, avoided slander against the completely wicked
Esau, we learn that we must go to great lengths to not speak badly of any other
Jew. Slanderous speech kills three: the teller, the listener, and the one being
spoken about (Erachin 15b). The Baal Shem Tov explained that this killing
is spiritual, which is much worse than actual murder! (from HaYom Yom).
May we all succeed in absolutely refraining from slanderous speech and in
speaking only positive things about fellow Jews. May all this hasten the
revelation of Mashiach, now!
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