Parshat Toldot presents us with the continuation of the Covenantal dynasty with Rivkah and Yitzchak. We are told as such when they marry and the Torah says that Rivkah in effect takes the role of Sarah Imeinu.
Interestingly enough, the story of Avraham takes up about three Parshiot. The story of Yaakov and his family takes even more. However, the story of Yitzchak and Rivkah are found in this one Parsha. Why so little coverage for a Patriarch and Matriarch?
When one studies the lives of our Avot and Imahot, we learn about their distinct qualities and accomplishments. When it comes to Rivkah and Yitzchak, they are highly unoriginal and we would hardly consider them to be pioneers. They almost exactly duplicate some of the actions and episodes of their forebears. The narrative has not much to say about them and they say even less themselves.
Perhaps this is exactly the point. One need not be a marquis front-and-center personality in order to be considered as one of the all time greats. Their greatest accomplishment was that they ensured continuity of Hashem's covenant and they passed the tradition from the first to the third generation. In my mind, this is something that is most admirable and I think we would all sign up for that kind of success any day of the week. Especially in today's day and age.
Shabbat Shalom
