5785/2024
In this week's Parashah, Parashat Toledot, Rivkah finally is able to conceive. During her pregnancy, the Torah recounts that something was happening with the kids in her womb. The Passuk states “וַיִּתְרֹֽצְצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אִם־כֵּ֔ן לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה אָנֹ֑כִי וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶת־יקוק”. What does the Passuk mean when it says “וַיִּתְרֹֽצְצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ”?
Rashi explains that the word “וַיִּתְרֹֽצְצ֤וּ” means to run. He describes how whenever RIvkah would pass by Yeshivat Shem V’Ever, Yaakov would try to “run” out the womb. But whenever She would pass a place of Avodah Zarah, Esav would try to run out of the womb. Hence, the boys were “running” in her womb.
The Tur Ha’Aruch expounds this Passuk saying וַיִּתְרֹֽצְצ֤וּ means to fight. Because Esav was so hairy even in the womb, it irritated Yaakov’s skin. Because of this, Yaakov would try to squirm away from Esav so he wouldn’t be scratched.
Finally, The Ohr HaChaim gives a Peshat that we can learn a beautiful lesson from. He says that וַיִּתְרֹֽצְצ֤וּ means to crush. Because she had twins in her womb, her womb was getting crushed and she thought as a result she would miscarry. Because of this,“וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶת־יקוק׃”, “she went to ask of G-d”. Because of her troubles, she immediately went to Hashem to beseech of Him for a successful pregnancy. This teaches us a beautiful life lesson. Whenever we have problems in our own lives, we shouldn’t try to deal with it ourselves without asking Hashem for help. Be’Ezrat Hashem, we should recognize all comes from Him, and when we ask Him for help, He will answer us.