DVAR TORAH
When Yitzchak’s twin sons, Yaacov and Esav grew up, it was clear that they were different from each other: "The boys grew, and Esav was a man who knew hunting, a man of the field, while Yaacov was a simple man, a tent dweller" [Bereishit 25:27]. Rashi based on the Midrash explains: "He [Esav] knew how to 'capture' his father and fool him."
Why did the midrash veer from the simple meaning of the pasuk and chose this interpretation?
According to Rashi it is because of the following verse, that "Yitzchak loved Esav, because he had prey in his mouth" [Bereishit 25:28]. Asked Rashi, why would food (prey) cause Yitzchak to love Esav more? How could our forefather allow himself to be swayed by such material concerns? The answer, therefore must be that "he had prey” does not refer to food, but to the ability that Esav had deceive Yitzchak with words."
However, the Ibn Ezra offers and alternative answer. He suggests that the understanding of Esav as a “hunter”/deceiver is based on the way the Torah describes these two men - Yaakov was a “simple man” - which is a character trait. While, Esav was a “hunter” - a job description! Therefore, Ibn Ezra explained that “hunter” must also be a character trait. As the Ibn Ezra explained: "’Knows hunting’ - this refers to a world full of fraud, since most of the animals obtain their food through trickery."
Tuesdays @ 8:30 pm - KINS Women's Tehillim Group
each week at a different home. To stay informed - CLICK HERE
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Why do we cover the challahs before we make kiddush on Friday night?
The Tur [Orech Chaim 271], based on a Yerushalmi (not found in our editions) suggests the most famous answer to this question - to avoid “embarrassment”.
But what does that mean? Simply that when faced with foods of different brachot, halacha would normally mandate that we should first say the bracha on bread before the bracha on wine. But since we want to say kiddush first, we cover the challah to “hide it” while we drink the wine.
Yet, according to the Talmud, the main reason we cover the challahs is based on the principle [Pesachim, 100a; Magen Avraham 271:7 and Mishna Berurah 271:15] that one should cover all of the the food on the table before reciting kiddush on Friday night.
Why? Because it is considered an honor to Shabbat [“Yikra de-Shabata”] if kiddush is recited first, and only then is the food brought to the table in honor of the newly sanctified Shabbat. Therefore, by covering the challah during kiddush and uncovering them once kiddush is over, it is as if they weren’t there and only "brought to the table" after kiddush.
But if that’s the case, why not wait and only bring the challah afterwards? In reality some people do wait (for example, the Vilna Gaon did!) [Ma'asei Rav 118], however, most don’t [Tosafot, Pesachim 100b]. Why?
According to Rabbi David Segal HaLevi, the Taz [Yore Deah 178:7] placing the challahs before Shabbat begins and keeping challahs on the the table is a way to honor Shabbat.
Another possibility is because of the problem of muktza. Since the Shabbat candles are on the table, were it not for having the challahs there from before Shabbat, the table would not be able to be moved because it would be considered a base for a muktza item [Mishna Berura 277:18].
Finally, in order to fulfill the halacha of "setting the Shabbat table" in preparation of Shabbat [Orech Chaim 262:1] since challahs are key to a meal, the table is not considered "set" unless the challahs are there [Kaf HaChaim Orech Chaim 262:21].
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 3:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 
SEFER YESHAYAHU - will resume 11/12
