PICKED ON? OR PICKED?

How does one deal with a reality that challenges one preconceived notions? Rivkah our Mother A’H was married some nineteen years when she became pregnant. Rivkah and her husband Yitzchak our Father A’H prayed for many years beforehand (25:20-21,26)

25:22 relates that Rivkah’s pregnancy was so difficult that she wondered why she ever yearned for or prayed for children (see 25:22 Rashi ZT;L ZY’A “Lamah zeh anochi” ) Rabbi Moshe been Nachman (RAMBAN) ZT’L ZY’A Rivkah did not know what pregnancy was supposed to be like. Rivkah went to her friends and whoever else and asked what their experiences where like. Rivkah came to understand her situation was unique.


Rashi ZT’L ZYA as well as the Ba’al HaTurim ZT;L ZY’A point out Rivka was beside herself with the contradictory nature of the child she was carrying. Rivkah saw her child anxiously tried to leave the womb when she passed by a Beit Medrash. However, when Rivkah passed by a place of Idol worship she felt the same eagerness to enter to world. Rivkah was truly beside herself how could she have a child that was chomping at the bit to worship Idols? The thought of giving birth to a child like Esaiv meant despite her years of prayer, despite whatever efforts Rivkah excreted on herself not to follow in her brother’s or Father’s footsteps would be all for naught. Not only would my child would be not better than Yishamel nor does it seem I am any better than Hagar?!(see Ohr HaChaim & Zera Shimshon)

The situation which confronted Rivkah challenged her assumptions. However, how does Rivka respond? When Rivkah wondered out loud “ . . why me . . .?” This question could be posed two ways, as an expression of persecution or a seeking of purpose.? Rivkah’s lament could be dismissed as simply a pregnant woman expressing her frustration and calls out to G-D asking why me? Rivka saw in her circumstances in the context of faith, how do these situations fit in G-D’s design for one’s life.