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It may perhaps be worth noting that the Ohr Hachayim Hakadosh (Bereishis
27,1) suggests that the reason Yitzchak wanted to give Eisav the Berocho
was in the hope that this would help him return from his evil ways, for
Tzaddikim pain when seeing their sons doing evil and endeavour to help
them return. He concludes by saying that perhaps it could have worked!
I think there is no issue regarding Yitzchak's abilities as a father. Rav
Hirsch was commenting on the error in assuming that the best school is
always the best place of learning for all children. The lesson for us
all - particularly Mechanchim - is that no school can teach every child.
Regarding the suitability of teaching students that the Avot were
fallible. Rav Zeisha once pointed out to his students that he was not
worried that the Beis Din Shel Maaleh will ask him why he was not Moshe
Rabbeinu, he was concerned that he will be asked why he was not Rav Zeisha
HaCohen. Rav Leff once commented that the reason he did not quote any of
the Avot as the example is because the Avot were different to Moshe
Rabbeinu as we can and should try to emulate their ways. By suggesting
they were infallible it distorts the truth, and removes them from the
realm of realistic role models. Do we also ignore - why Yitzchak got his
name!
Rabbi David Meyer</HTML>
