Parshat Toldot: From Public-School Boy To Rosh HaYeshivah

Rashi teaches that when Rivkah passed the beit medrash of Sheim and Ever, Yaakov struggled to emerge. But when she walked by places of idol worship, Eisav tried to get out. Eisav’s reaction makes sense — but what about Yaakov? Why would he want to leave the womb when an angel was teaching him Torah? Chazal say that before birth, a child receives a complete Torah education in the womb. What could possibly be better than learning from an angel?

Rav Zelig Pliskin shlit”a quotes Rav Chaim Soloveitchik zt”l, who gives a powerful answer: When one is forced to remain in the presence of a destructive influence, even the greatest spiritual gift becomes secondary. Yaakov preferred to forgo learning from an angel if it meant distancing himself from Eisav’s harmful pull. Such is the power — and danger — of negative influence. Our surroundings shape us. Who we spend time with matters.

But the reverse is equally true. If bad influence can pull someone down, positive influence can lift a person unimaginably high — sometimes transforming the entire trajectory of a life.

A remarkable example occurred in 1938. Rav Avraham Bender zt”l, a traveling rabbi collecting funds for his yeshivah, found himself in a modest neighborhood in East Pittsburgh. Only three families in the area maintained a standard of kashrut he could rely on, one of which was the Scheiner family. Their teenage son, Isadore, had just graduated from public school and planned to study mathematics in college.

Over Shabbat, Rav Bender saw potential in the young man. He turned to Mr. Scheiner and asked, “Why don’t you send your son to yeshivah?”

Mr. Scheiner responded sincerely, “Are there still yeshivahs in America?” He had no idea that Torah education was beginning to flourish in New York.

Convinced of the boy’s promise, Rav Bender persuaded the Scheiners to send their only son with him to yeshivah — and he personally escorted Isadore east.

What happened next no one could have predicted.

Isadore Scheiner, the public-school graduate with a mind for math, became the great Rav Yitzchak Scheiner zt”l, the world-renowned Rosh HaYeshivah of Kamenitz in Yerushalayim — a towering Torah leader whose impact reached across generations.

All from one moment of encouragement.

All because someone reached out.

All because positive influence — even the smallest spark — can ignite a lifetime of greatness.

Parshat Toldot reminds us that our environment matters deeply. But it also reminds us that we can be that positive environment for someone else. A kind word, a simple invitation, a sincere expression of belief can change a life forever.

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Aryeh Fingerer is a passionate Jewish speaker who connects with readers around the world through his meaningful and relatable divrei Torah. He’s dedicated to spreading positivity and strengthening our bond with Yiddishkeit through stories, insights, and timeless Torah values. Listen to our podcast, Jewish ‘n Joyful, on all streaming platforms! Sign up for our email list or join our WhatsApp group by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or texting 646-397-2320.
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