People see what they want to see and are impressed by what they have never seen before. Someone growing up in an all American community, accustomed to the sports hype on Sunday, will be impressed upon walking into a yeshivah bais hamedrash and observing hundreds of students studying Torah, completely oblivious to the excitement and intrigue that grips the secular world. Likewise, one whose lifestyle begins with early morning davening, followed by a seder and then either participating in the workforce or in the bais hamedrash, will have difficulty contemplating the secular culture which encourages one to engage in as much leisure time as possible. When one lives life without a purpose, it is no wonder that he has so much free time.
The Chasam Sofer posits that their contrasting backgrounds catalyzed within Yitzchak Avinu and Rivkah Imeinu disparate perspectives, which led them to be impressed by the contrasting behaviors of their two sons. After all, how is it that Yitzchak was so enamored with Eisav, while Rivkah’s fondness was directed at Yaakov? He explains that Yitzchak observed Yaakov learning all of the time. He learned; his father had learned. On the other hand, to see a son who spent the majority of his day in the field hunting game, yet remain committed and observant; this was something that impressed him. Rivkah grew up in a home where learning was an anathema, and wasting time was a way of life. Thus, Eisav hardly impressed her. Her son Yaakov’s behavior gave her much nachas. This was something she had never before seen. So, what was there not to love?
