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Parsha Toldot 07
IN THE MANNER OF MAN
“The man grew richer and richer until he was very wealthy” (Gen.26.13)
The text is referring to our forefather Yitzhak. We are told that he grew richer and richer as an Ish - man, that is, a human being, a person of worth. In the end he became wealthy Meod - exceedingly. The letters of the term Meod [very much], may be rearranged to read Adam - man, as a member of the human race.
From the outset, Yitzhak is an Ish, a person of importance by virtue of his lineage, by virtue of the moral and ethical life he led, by virtue of the good deeds that he performed.
The acquisition of great wealth did not give him airs and graces. The blessings of riches and fame showered upon him did not change his personality. Like his father Avraham before him, he continued to be modest. He remained an Adam, an ordinary man throughout.
Yitzhak is the prototype for Gevurah - power, but not the power that comes with wealth, for money is power. Yitzhak’s Gevurah was the power of self control, the power to exercise freedom of will in serving Divinity. Through Gevurah he remained an Adam [man] to become a better Ish [man].
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