Why did Yitzchak add the (otherwise superfluous) word "Vetzudah Li Tzayid"?
Rashi: To warn Eisav only to hunt from Hefker (in which Yitzchak has the same rights as everybody else), but not from theft.
Oznayim la'Torah: According to Chazal, that this took place on Erev Pesach, it means "Li" - 'Lishmi' (for my sake); for one may eat Korban Pesach only if it is Shechted specifically for the owner. 1
This is unlike Rashi in Pasuk 9, citing Pirkei d'R. Eliezer), who says that the Mat'amim and the Korban Pesach were distinct. Also, it is astounding, that a. Yitzchak would ask Eisav to hunt for Korban Pesach, which must be a lamb or kid-goat; b. he said to take his bow and (according to Rashi) sword - these are prone to blemish it! c. It will not be checked for blemishes for four days; d. Surely Yitzchak gave him ample time to find and catch a lamb or kid, check it for blemishes, and offer it during the day. He was surprised that Ya?akov came so quickly. He should have waited until night to eat it! e. Why did Yitzchak say "Li" (and not Lanu)? Even if he held (like R. Yosi, Pesachim 91a) that we may slaughter Pesach for one person to eat, why would he want to do so? f. Why would he request Mat'amim? Pesach must be eaten (according to Hillel - wrapped) with [Matzah and] bitter herbs! (PF).
What are the connotations of "Telyecha" and "Kashtecha"?
Rashi and Targum Onkelos: 'Your sword 1 and your bow.'
Rashbam and Targum Yonasan: "Telyecha" means 'your quiver 2 and "Kashtecha", 'your bow'.
Why did Yitzchak need to instruct Eisav to sharpen his tools?
Rashi: He needed to sharpen his Shechitah knife, in case he rendered the animal a Neveilah. 1
Rashbam: To ensure that he would not return empty-handed, and that he would return without delay.
Ha'amek Davar and Malbim: He wanted every action to be a Mitzvah (of Kibud Av), to make him more worthy of the B?rachos, 2 which is why he commanded him to go and hunt, even if he already has a trapped animal.
"Aseh Li Mat'amim" implies that he told Esav to prepare it by himself (and Rashi writes that he told him to sharpen his Shechitah knife), Can we derive from here that the Shechitah of a Mumar (apostate) is Kosher?
Moshav Zekenim: Yitzchak never ate from Esav's Shechitah. Here HaSh-m saved him via Yaakov. "Tzayid b'Fiv" connotes that he ate from his Shechitah! This was before Esav became a Mumar. 1 Yitzchak asked Esav to slaughter for him, for he did not know that he is a Mumar.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "[Yitzchak said, 'Take] from ownerless property;' not from theft!'" Why did he need to warn Esav - whom he assumed to be worthy?
Gur Aryeh #1: Yitzchak warned Esav not to lay traps too close to the city, lest he catch privately-owned animals or birds (see Bava Basra 23a). He suspected that Esav might rationalize that the Mitzvah of honoring his father would override this mid'Rabanan prohibition of theft.
Gur Aryeh #2: On this occasion, he had to warn Esav specifically. Even if the food had been stolen by mistake, it would not bring a blessing. 1
Rashi writes: "[The word 'Sa'] means sharpening; as in the Mishnah, 'We may not sharpen a knife [on Yom Tov]; we may only take [Masi'in] one upon the other' (Beitzah 28a). This appears to be an inherent contradiction! Is rubbing one blade upon another considered sharpening, or not?
Gur Aryeh: Rashi means that Yitzchak did not request sharpening as it is usually done, on a millstone; that would be liable to cause nicks, disqualifying a Shechitah knife (which must be perfectly smooth). Yitzchak specifically told Esav to sharpen it only by rubbing it against another blade, to remove any nicks.
Rashi writes: "[Yitzchak said,] 'Do not feed me Neveilah!'" Why did he need to warn Esav? He was under the assumption that Esav was worthy!
Gur Aryeh #1: Yitzchak feared that Esav, in his great haste to honor his father, might not check the knife patiently and carefully, as the Halachah requires.
Gur Aryeh #2: On this occasion, he had to warn Esav specifically. Even if a problem were to arise in the Shechitah by mistake, the food would still be unfit to bring a blessing.
Rashi writes that one of the two goats Rivkah requested was for Korban Pesach. How could Yitzchak ask Esav to hunt on Yom Tov?
Korban Pesach is brought on Erev Pesach. 1 Melachah is permitted in the morning. Even the afternoon is not more stringent than Chol ha'Moed, so all Melachah of food preparation is permitted! (PF)
Moshav Zekenim left this question difficult. He cited Pirkei d'R. Eliezer (32) and understood it simply, that Yitzchak asked Esav on Pesach night. I ask, how can one hunt by moonlight? And after he asked Esav, Rivkah told Yaakov to bring two goats. One was for Pesach, which must be slaughtered during the day! Rather, we must say that it was the day before (or close to) Leil Pesach. (PF)
