Why did Rivkah instruct Yaakov to fetch two animals (kid-goats)? Would one not suffice?!
Rashi (citing Pirkei d'R. Eliezer 32): One was for the Korban Pesach and one for Mat'amim (tasty food that Yitzchak requested). 1
Targum Yonasan, Ba'al ha'Turim citing Pirkei d'R. Eliezer 32: One was for the Korban Pesach and one for Chagigah [of the 14th]. 2
Peninim mi'Shulchan ha'Gra: Just like the two goats of Yom Kipur, one is for Kaparah and one is to appease the Satan, here one is for the Berachos and one is to appease the Satan, lest he prosecute.
Ha'amek Davar: One goat-skin was for each hand. 3
Harchev Davar: "Shenei" is extra (the plural itself would have taught two). The Midrash says, they are Tovim for you and your seed, i.e. the two goats of Yom Kipur. What is the connection to here? Every bad Midah has its place - but it must be used with great precision, just like a poison can heal a sick person if a great doctor instructs exactly how to use it. This was time for Yaakov to use the Midah of Sheker. Also this 'Aveirah Lishmah' is a Mitzvah - just like on Yom Kipur, we 'offer a Korban' to the powers of Tum'ah, like HaSh-m commanded. 4 Also refer to 27:9:1.2:1.
Perhaps "Osam" is written Chaser (without a Vav), to teach that only one was for the Mat'amim. (PF)
Pirkei d'R. Eliezer does not mention Chagigah, but says that Pesach is eaten when satiated. Perhaps Yitzchak intended that Esav's animal be like Chagigah; Chayos cannot be Korbanos! Perhaps Yaakov gave from the Chagigah to get the Berachos, and later they would feed him from it l'Shem Mitzvas Chagigah (PF).
Surely, even a baby goat is big enough to make two gloves from its skin! Perhaps there is one special part of the body which is most suited to cover the hand and resemble Esav's hand, (also refer to 27:22:3:1).
Harchev Davar: We find that due to Esav's cry over losing the Berachos, Haman caused Mordechai to cry (Esther Rabah 8:1). Why was [the seed of] Yaakov punished for Esav's cry, and not for making Yitzchak afraid (when he realized what happened)? One may benefit from a Mitzvah, but not from an Aveirah Lishmah, like it says about Ya'el (had she benefited, she would not be praised - Nazir 23b). Yaakov was pained that he made Yitzchak afraid, but was happy over Esav's pain. (Seemingly, Yaakov spared Yitzchak a much greater pain, had he blessed Esav and later realized that it was an awesome mistake! - PF)
Why did Rivkah add the (otherwise superfluous) word "Sh?nei Gedayei Izim?
Rashi (in Sh?mos 23:19): Refer to Sh?mos 23:19:6:1, and note.
The Midrash writes, Rivkah emphasized that the goats were "Tovim" (good), for they corresponded to the two goats of Yom Kippur that would bring atonement to Bnei Yisrael. What is the connection?
Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 2, p. 53. to Sotah 13a): The two goats of Yom Kippur were identical [ - but then one was to be a Korban, and the other sent to Azazel]. Outwardly, Esav and Yaakov were equivalent; 1 only in their essence were they opposed.
Yaakov and Esav had to be twins, on an equal plane, for HaSh-m created the world to contain good alongside evil (Koheles 7:14). Also see Maharal (Derush Al ha'Mitzvos, p. 60); refer to 25:23:151.1:1. (EK)
Why did Rivkah instruct Ya?akov to fetch goats? Even if one was for the Korban Pesach, she could have used lambs?
Rashi #1: Refer to 27:9:3:1.
Rashi #2: Because the taste of goat's meat resembles that of venison. 1
Rashbam: In order to use the skin to cover Ya?akov's [hand and neck - 27:16], and goat's hair, unlike lambs' [wool], is hard like human hair.
The animal for Pesach could have been a lamb! Perhaps she said to take two goats to minimize his toil (goats and sheep were in different herds), or to save him time, so he can prepare the skins for his hands (refer to 27:22:3:1). Also, if one goat has a blemish, she will use it for Mat'amim, and the other will be for Pesach. (PF)
Why did Rivkah insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "ve'Kach li mi'Sham"?
Rashi: To clarify that they were hers by right 1 (and that Ya?akov would not be stealing them from Yitzchak) - because it was written in her Kesubah that she was entitled to take two 2 kid-goats each day.
Ha'amek Davar: It implies that she would help him in this matter in any way she could.
See Ba?al ha?Turim.
Why must we say that she was entitled to two per day? Rashi wrote that one was for Korban Pesach. It is a Zechus for Yitzchak to take one of his animals and offer it for him for Pesach! Perhaps it is not a Zechus, lest he prefer a lamb. She did not ask Yitzchak right now which he wants, lest he suspect that she heard him command Eisav. (PF)
Why did Rivkah add the words "Lech Na"? Why did she not just say "Kach Li Min ha'Tzon... "?
Rashbam: Because they were to be found in his 'workplace' ? from the flock which he shepherded.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "One [of the goats], he offered as his Korban Pesach." Why did Yaakov receive the Berachos specifically on Pesach night?
Maharal (Derush l'Shabbos ha'Gadol, p. 230 1 ): In the merit of destroying the Se'or (before Pesach), we also destroy the power of Esav - i.e. the Yetzer ha'Ra. Esav is like spoiled sourdough; and Yisrael is like refined flour.
Refer to 27:1:2:1.
Printed after the Hagadah of the Maharal in the London edition. See there at length regarding the nation of Edom. (EK)
