Just as Sarah’s prophetic wisdom helped her recognize the rightful heir to Avraham, the task of choosing the right successor to Yitzchak fell to Rivka. And the confrontation which had taken place a generation before between Sarah and Avraham, now repeated itself, between Rivka and Yitzchak.
Rivka’s insight, based on a mother’s intuition, and the courage and cunning with which she acted upon it, shaped the destiny of Israel.
The crisis in the Rivka-Yitzchak confrontation was perhaps even more acute than in the Sarah-Avraham encounter. In the latter, the controversy pitted Sarah’s son Yitzchak against Yishmael, the son of a foreign concubine; in this episode the conflict involved Rivka’s own twin sons. While Yitzchak preferred Esau the first-born, maternal insight prompted Rivka to promote Yaakov for future leadership.
Rivka’s plan demanded supreme diplomatic skill as her failure was apt to threaten not only the primacy but the very life of her favorite son, and this at the hands of his brother.
Rivka, with uncanny alertness, with an ability to “hear” things that went on behind the scenes, gathered information which prompted her to carry out her plan. She had “heard” of Yitzchak’s intention to bless Esav. And she had “heard” of Esav’s plot to murder his brother. With spontaneity and determination, Rivka acted upon the information. Her cleverness and tact ensured the success of the complex goal. And when that success resulted in Esav’s oath of revenge against Yaakov, Rivka “suggested” that Yitzchak, as the master of the household, send Yaakov to Aram in search of a suitable wife (Bereshit 27:46; 28:1-2). Rivka did this to give Yitzchak the initiative to exercise his paternal authority, and simultaneously shield him from discovering the bitter truth about his favorite first-born son.
Rivka’s brilliant maneuverings achieved several objectives: while Esau was successfully removed from a position of influence, and the ancestral blessing was bestowed upon Yaakov without endangering his life, Rivka succeeded in preserving her aging husband’s self esteem.
The conflict between Rivka’s twin sons was prophesized before their birth. During insufferable discomfort caused by the constant friction of the fetuses within her womb, Rivka sought divine rationale for her agony: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall divide within you” came the reply. “And one nation shall be mightier than the other; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Bereshit 25:33).
The divine prophecy vindicated Rivka’s choice when years later the decisive moment forced her to take matters into her own hands. Although reluctant, Yaakov was compelled to follow Rivka’s instructions just as Avraham’s reluctance had been overcome by God’s admonishment “to listen to your wife Sara’s voice” (Bereshit 21:12).
Rivka’s genius has been verified by the verdict of time. In picking and promoting the right candidate for the office of founding father of Israel’s nationhood, and in averting fratricide, Rivka’s intuition ensured the ethical legacy of Israel, as well.