We will continue to analyze the descent to Egypt in the days of the patriarchs. Isaac’s descent to Egypt seems very similar to Abraham’s. Both went because of famine, but when Isaac reaches “Gerar”, in the land of the Philistines, God tells him, “Do not go down to Egypt”. Is Isaac trying to follow in his father’s footsteps? Why does He forbid him and not forbid Abraham? And why does He tell him this only when he has already reached “Gerar”? This seems to be the first connection in the Bible between the Derech Hayam and Egypt.
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