In this week's parshah, the Torah presents a very complex and challenging parenting story as Rivkah convinced Yaakov to trick Yitzchak and receive the blessing that was intended for Esav. Rivkah was forced into trickery and deceit because she and Yitzchak had different worldviews about how to deal with a troubled child named Esav.

Yitzchak looked at Esav and he saw part of Avraham. After all, Avraham was not only a G-d-fearing, ethical individual, but he was a warrior, as well, having led an army of 318 men to defeat the superpowers of the world in Parshat Lekh Lekha. As such, Yitzchak believed that Esav had potential for good because he was a warrior, as well, thereby following partly in the footsteps of his saintly grandfather. Consequently, Yitzchak embraced Esav. In fact, the Torah states that Yitzchak loved Esav because he was a "tzayid b'fiv," a hunter. The Seforno explains that Yitzchak was aware of Esav's deficiencies, but he loved Esav because the latter had a redeeming quality, "ki tzayid b'fiv." Esav hunted for Yitzchak. Esav may have had a lot of flaws, but he took care of and truly cared about his father.

Rivkah, however, "ohevet et Yaakov." She loved Yaakov. She truly understood the wickedness of Esav. Rivkah knew that Esav had another grandfather, not just Avraham: Betuel. Rivkah believed that Esav, by his actions, was not following in the path of Avraham, but he was following in the path of the unscrupulous Betuel. Rivkah saw that Esav's deficiencies were so serious to the point that she came to the conclusion that Esav, like Yishmael before him, must not receive any part of the spiritual inheritance that God initially bestowed upon Avraham.

But Yitzchak did not give up on Esav. The story immediately preceding the story of Yitzchak's blessing is the story of Esav marrying the Hittite women. The Torah states, "vatihyena morat ruah l'Yitzchak u'l'Rivkah," or "they [the Hittite women] were a source of spiritual rebellion to Yitzchak & Rivkah." Nevertheless, Yitzchak did not want to give up on Esav. According to the Malbim, Yitzchak wanted to give Esav a job, to be the breadwinne to take care of Yaakov who would be the teacher of the next generation. Yitzchak hoped that Esav would be the "earner" and Yaakov would be the "learner."

Rivkah disagreed. She did not confront Yitzchak with her conclusions about Esav. Perhaps, as the Netziv writes in Haamek Davar, she could not communicate with Yitzchak concerning such a sensitive situation. At the end of the day, though, Yitzchak realized the truth. According to the Malbim, once Yitzchak realized that he blessed Yaakov and not Esav, he realized that this blessing came from God and that God had intended for Yaakov to receive the entire blessing. However, once Yitzchak came to this conclusion, he realized something else. Yitzchak realized that he failed - that he failed Esav. Yitzchak tried to raise this difficult child and bring him into the fold, hopefully by giving him an important job to be the breadwinner of the family. However, it was not God's will, as Esav would not inherit any part of Yitzchak's Godly legacy.

Why did Yitzchak fail? I believe that the Seforno sheds some light on this matter. At the end of this week's parshah, the Torah states that Yitzchak commanded Yaakov to go to Lavan's house and marry one of Lavan's daughters but not to marry a local Canaanite woman. Once Esav heard this, the Torah states, "vayar Esav ki ra'ot bnot Canaan b'ainai Yitzchak aviv," or "once Esav saw that his father wasn't happy that he married the local Hittite women," then he married a daughter of Yishmael, a cousin, just as Yitzchak instructed Yaakov to do. The Seforno is bothered as to why the Torah tells us of this fact. Therefore, the Seforno states, "u'bazeh hodi'a shehaya Yitzchak yakhol limhol b'Esav k'shenasa ha'k'naanit im haya notein lev," or "the Torah tells us that if Yitzchak had just told Esav not to marry a Canaanite woman, then Esav would have listened." If Yitzchak would have confronted Esav, then Esav would have listened, but apparently, that wasn't Yitzchak's parenting style. After all, Yitzchak learned from Avraham through osmosis. He saw the way Avraham behaved and he followed in his path. Now Yitzchak had two children and one of them followed in the path of Yitzchak by osmosis, but what should Yitzchak do about the other one? Apparently, Rivkah couldn't influence Esav. The Torah seems to present a strong bond between Esav and his father, but not between Esav and his mother. However, Yitzchak chose not to say anything. Sometimes, even though it requires courage, and even though the child, or the parent, or the friend, or the neighbor, may get upset, sometimes we need to say something. Imagine what would have happened if Rivkah hadn't plotted this whole scheme. Imagine if instead of Yitzchak trying to bless Esav and trying to give him a job in the hopes that this would bring him back into the fold, Yitzchak would have sat Esav down and would have had a heart to heart talk with him about his behavior. One can only wonder..

Rabbi Jonathan Muskat

In addition to teaching multiple Shiurim at Rambam Mesivta, Rabbi Muskat is the Rabbi at Young Israel of Oceanside, Director of Jewish Encounters of Oceanside, and heads the Vaad HaKashrus of Oceanside

After two meetings, the Jewish Action Committee is doing great. With three members and already two leaders we have got off to an excellent start. After living in Israel for four years, and having classes about helping out Israel, I am already familiar with the criteria. Being able to make a difference will be an outstanding experience.

Binyamin Wallin

Failing math? Need a tutor you can count on? Then call on the AP Scholars!! These brilliant students received an award for their outstanding scores on the AP exams which will add merit to their college applications in the near future. The AP Scholar program has three levels: AP Scholar who receives a score of three or higher on three different AP's, AP Scholar with Honor for a Scholar with a 3.25 average on all his AP's and receives a score of three or higher on four different AP's, and AP Scholar with Distinction for a Scholar with a 3.50 average on all his AP's and a three or higher on five different AP's. These students are the academic role models of our school and we should all aspire to reach their level of knowledge.

Dovid Simpser

The Rambam Band had two meetings so far, and we are having a great time. We will learn how to play certain instruments as well as expand our abilities to play instruments we already know how to play. Maybe we will be able to create our own music, and definitely have fun in the process.

Jake Plaut

It was at 7:00 o'clock on the night of Nov. 1 and the Rambam Ravens were preparing for a showdown against the Solomon Shechter Storm. The night was destined to be unusual and the cold wind that was howling outside the Rambam doors foretold that something special was sure to take place. When Rambam took the court on that fateful night there were 20 young men whose hearts were beating in perfect rhythm and slowly the night began to unfold. The confident smile of Mr. Goldman and the reassuring presence of Rabbi Haar set the stage for a Rambam Victory. Sure enough from the drop of the opening faceoff Rambam made a clear statement about how the game would end. Through the leadership of Zack Stern and Avi Goodstein the score rose steadily in favor of Rambam. Nevertheless every Rambam player remained humble and retained a strong respect for their opponent. In other words the Rambam team played like menches. Rambam won the game but more importantly they beautifully represented the character and Middot Tovot of the school they play for. That being said, the final score is not important and just like the cold wind that travels down the deserted Frost Lane into the face of darkness, the Rambam Ravens will never cease to be a positive force in their journey to victory.

Yedidya-Didi Levy

The Madden Tournament, conceived, produced, and administered by junior Gary Feder began today during lunch. The money raised will go to charity and we have a great time in the process. Rambam is unique because we are taking something, like videogames, which most people dismiss as a waste of time, and we turn it into a worthwhile time.

Noah Stochel

In the Sofer Society club, Rabbi Oppen, of Oppen Scrolls, teaches students very important lessons in Judaism having to do with making and fixing Sifre Torah, Mezuzah and Tefilin. So far, he has taught us how to make the knot for Tefilin and started talking about the different letters and how to make them. It is a very worthwhile and interesting class where students have a chance to learn incredibly useful skills. Rabbi Oppen is allowing us to see the world through a Sofer's eyes and it has allowed us to see the importance of detail and craftsmanship.

Yehudah Moskovitz

Harry S Truman, America's 33rd president, was also one of its greatest. He made one of the hardest military decisions of all time: to drop the atomic bomb and end World War II. Europe, although a shadow of its former glory, was restored and saved by his Marshall Plan. His promotion of civil rights and recognition of the State of Israel truly are things that inspire us even today.

Because of his accomplishments, it's easy to forget Truman's humble beginnings. For many years he struggled to make a living, and it was only late in life that he rose to a position of power. Nobody in Washington had heard of Truman before 1930, but in 1945 he became Vice President to the great Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A few weeks later, FDR was dead and a frightened Harry S Truman became president, filling the shoes of a giant.

As president, Truman inherited the most terrible war in human history, World War II. Although the war in Europe was by then almost over, the war against the Japanese had no end in sight. Americans had learned that the Japanese would defend to the death every inch of land. An invasion of Japan was projected to cost an estimated one million American casualties and an unknown number of Japanese military and civilian casualties. Truman, however, made a cold calculation that dropping the atomic bomb would ultimately kill fewer people, and so gave the order. He also implemented the Marshall Plan which supplied and rebuilt Europe after the war. Truman also challenged the established order of things at home, by desegregating the military, a striking act of social justice. For a man raised in the bigotry and discrimination of the south, this was a truly amazing step. A devout Christian Zionist, Truman was also the first world leader to recognize the establishment of the State of Israel.

Truman, a man with little education or professional accomplishment, who rose to the presidency by accident, nevertheless became one of the greatest and most-beloved presidents in U.S history. In any other system of government, where candidates are judged by social birth, formal education, wealth or professional accomplishment, Truman would not have risen to power much less succeeded. Truman, however, embodies the greatness of a democratic system, that lets the people choose its leaders. It is something to remember, especially in this election season; that a system that can promote just about anyone can also produce a Truman. To paraphrase Churchill, democracy is a terrible system - but just happens to be better than every other.

Avi Gross