Chazal teach us that the words, gedolah ad meod, “very great perplexity,” mean that the fear that Yitzchak Avinu experienced when Eisav walked in was even greater than when he lay at the Akeidah about to be slaughtered. Imagine, up until this moment, Yitzchak was under the impression that Eisav was fine, upstanding and observant. He would ask him halachic questions which, by their very nature, indicated that he was extremely stringent in his observance. Suddenly, the floor fell out from beneath him, and he saw Eisav in his true colors, for all that he was. The shock of discovery that all we have believed in has been in error – whether it was in a person, a way of life, an organization –is a devastating shock. To find out that the son in whom you placed so much hope and love is a fraud was a shock even greater than the Akeidah for Yitzchak.
Horav Chaim Zaitchik, zl, relates that the Alter, zl, m’Novarodok, Horav Yosef Yoizel Horowitz, zl, would travel to a small village in an area which was known for its clean air. He hoped that the pristine climate would have a recuperative effect on his lungs. The Alter was meticulous in bringing along a mezuzah written specifically for him by a sofer, scribe, in whom he had the greatest faith. He demanded that every stringency be included in the writing of the mezuzah. The Alter was not willing to settle just because he was on “vacation.” When he returned to the yeshivah, he would remove the mezuzah and take it with him.
One time, as he was removing the mezuzah from the doorpost, he noticed to his shock and chagrin that when he had attached the mezuzah to the doorpost, he had driven the nail through a letter, essentially invalidating the mezuzah. He was so palpably shocked, that his students, who were watching nearby, took notice. He said nothing, refusing to respond to their query at the time. Instead, he said that he would explain during Elul what had just taken place and the lesson that he derived therein.
During the month of Elul, the Alter spoke to the students of the Yeshivah one Motzei Shabbos. He began to weep uncontrollably, saying that man thinks everything in his life is in order, that he is observant, committed, dedicated towards helping his fellow-man, but he is wrong! True, it seems that everything is fine, that he goes through life meticulously adhering to everything that is demanded of him, but something is amiss. Sadly, many of us find out what we are missing, but alas, we are too late. Just like the mezuzah. Everything had been planned to perfection. Yet, one small error invalidated his entire vacation! He had been in an apartment without a mezuzah!
We now know why Yitzchak Avinu trembled. An entire life was just invalidated when he saw Eisav as his true self. We pray that Hashem will not have any surprises for us. To prevent this, we should go the extra mile to be certain that our actions and intentions are consistent with that which Hashem asks of us.
