ולמה הזכיר יציאתו, אלא מגיד שיציאת צדיק מן המקום עושה רושם (רש״י  בראשית כח:י)

Why, then, does scripture mention his departure? It is only to tell us that the departure of a righteous man from any place makes an impression. (Rashi on Bereishis 28:10)

Someone from the shul asked the following question “Why do Chazal point out this idea that when a tzaddik leaves a place there is a roshem (an impression upon the city) only when Yaakov leaves? Avraham left his father’s house! Yitzchak went to Gerar! Yet Chazal did not make this observation. Seemingly, the same event took place, but Chazal chose not to make mention of this concept. Why did Chazal choose to teach this lesson here with Yaakov, but not with Avraham or Yitzchak?

The meforshim give two totally different answers to this question based on the same observation. When Yaakov left Yitzchak’s home, a tzaddik was still residing in that city, whereas when Avraham left his father’s home, there was no tzaddik in that city. Some explain that in order for the leaving of a tzaddik to be noticed, there must be someone who appreciates what a tzaddik is. That person who was connected will indeed feel the loss. Whereas if nobody was connected, no roshem is felt. Therefore, when Avraham left, Chazal indeed chose not to comment.

The others explain that one would think in a place where there are many tzaddikim there, even if one tzaddik leaves, a roshem would not be felt, for the void is not that great because there are still tzaddikim in that place. Here, then, is a chiddush to be learned that still that individual tzaddik is missing and his absence is felt.

As happens many times, the meforshim give different approaches, leading us in vastly different directions, as we have seen here in the two answers to the above question. We can all understand in regards to this question and answers the validity of both opposing views. This can be used to help us try to see the other side of the coin when it doesn’t seem to agree with our own approach. There may be a valid point and a different view than our own.

There are many questions that a person has and the answers that seem valid to him. We always look to Chazal to find the right answer.