This week’s Sedra describes Eliezer bringing Rivka back to Eretz Yisroel to be Yitzchok Avinu’s wife.  The Torah tells us that when Rivka saw Yitzchak for the first time she fell off the camel she was riding (see the Meforshim who explain it means she bowed out of humility and not that she literally fell down). The Torah tells us that Rivka then asked Eliezer who this person they saw was. When Eliezer responded that this was Yitzchok she covered her hair.

This whole episode is difficult to sort out. Rivka was chosen for her Tzidkus and tznius. Since this was so, why then would she all of a sudden become more conscious upon seeing Yitzchok? Furthermore, in the event she was already married (i.e. if Eliezer already married her by being a shaliach of Yitzchok Avinu) it would then have been forbidden for Eliezer to see her with her hair uncovered.  On the other hand, however, it would have been permissible for Yitzchok to see her with her hair uncovered.  And if so, why was it that the whole time she was with Eliezer she didn’t cover her hair and now that she was meeting Yitzchok she suddenly began to do so?

Whether Rivka,  when she first saw Yitzchok Avinu, literally fell off her camel or did so figuratively (bowed out of modesty), it is clear that she was filled with awe at the sight of his holy appearance.

There is no doubt that before Rivka Imeinu saw Yitzchok she was Tzanua. Her respect and awe for Yitzchok’s Kedusha, however, caused her to go a bit further than what would normally have been required from her. Rivka Imeinu was about to begin a most intimate relationship with Yitzchok Avinu, and all the intimacy notwithstanding, she understood that with such a special and holy persona she had to act differently.

We are Hashem’s Chosen Nation; we are Hashem’s Holy Nation.  We are close to Hashem and have access to the holiest people and places on the face of the earth. Eretz Yisroel is holy and there are special places in Eretz-Yisroel that have even extra Kedusha (see Keilim chapter 1). As much as we might feel at home in a particular Shul or Beis Medrash we must remember and recognize that such a place is special and holy. Our special and intimate relationships not withstanding we must approach all Holy people and mekomos Hakedoshim with extra Tznius, with awe and respect. We must respect Eretz Yisroel. We must respect Lomdei Torah and especially our Rabbonim and Torah leaders.

A very warm Good Shabbos, Rabbi Y. Dov Krakowski