Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi David Cohen
“..and she said, ‘why am I thus’ ” (25,22)
The medrash explains that Rivkah Imeinu, being that this was her first time conceiving, went to her neighbors and asked, “Is this pain normal for pregnancy?” After describing her pain, her neighbors explained that it was indeed out of the ordinary. Rivkah then complained, ‘Why am I thus?’ Meaning why did I pray for this? The Medrash states that Rivkah was supposed to have the 12 tribes. Since she complained, she lost out. What’s interesting to note is that it sounds like had her neighbors told her that the pain was normal for pregnancy she would’ve been able to withstand the pain. It’s only once they told her it’s unusual that she could no longer bear the pain and cried out in complaint. Truth be told, her neighbors’ explanation of normal pregnancy didn’t change her actual pain at all. It only changed her threshold of pain. How many times in our lives do we limit our capabilities because it doesn’t seem in step with what society deems as normal. Let us break through these barriers and serve Hashem with all of our vast potential.