Reply To: Short & Sweet

Toldos: Forge Your Path

The Gemora tells us that Hashem listened to Yitzchak’s teffilos over Rivka’s since Yitzchak was a צדיק בן צדיק, while Rivka’s parents were not too righteous.

But why should that be? Shouldn’t a צדיק בן רשע be the more worthy of the two, since it was more difficult for him or her to break out of the negative mold they were born in?

Rav Dessler quotes a beautiful explanation from his Rebbi, the Alter of Kelm. He explains that since a צדיק בן רשע realizes that what his parents are doing is wrong, he has an easier time not following his parents lead.

But a צדיק בן צדיק what is in a way a deeper test. He may have good role models, but he must make sure not just to become a copycat. Every person is unique, and Hashem put each of us here to do something different. The צדיק who realizes that he is more than a copy of his parents, specifically when his parents are great people, is the most impressive.

לע״נ דוד חיים בן ישראל דוב הכהן
לע״נ ר׳ חיים דוב בן ר׳ בןציון שלום