Ep. 75 – Yitzchak Defends the Jewish People

When mercy fails, can justice itself save us?

At Shalash Shudis, Rabbi Klapper brings the astonishing Gemara where Yitzchak Avinu — embodiment of din — steps forward to defend Klal Yisrael. While Avraham and Yaakov, symbols of chesed and rachamim, are silent on the day of judgment, Yitzchak uses logic and love to turn the case around: “Half their lives they can’t sin — let me bear the rest.” In that moment, din itself becomes mercy.

This is the secret of the final Shabbos meal — when the midda of restriction is soaked in Shabbos light until it too turns to compassion. Like Yitzchak, we learn to see judgment not as punishment but as Hashem’s desire to bring us home. Practical takeaway: approach the week’s first moments as Yitzchak did — with discipline that defends, structure that protects, and din transformed into rachamim.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don’t forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!