Parshas Vayigash

On the way down to Egypt Yaakov comes to Be'er Sheva and brings korbanos "leilokei oviv Yitzchok" - to the G-d of his father Yitzchok. (46:1) Rashi says that Yaakov mentioned only Yitzchok, and not Avrohom, and from this we are to understand that a person has a greater obligation to honor his father than his grandfather.

While this lesson is readily understood, it is difficult to understood why previously Yaakov davened to the G-d of both Avrohom and Yitzchok (see Parshas Vayishlach 32:10). If having one's father in mind more than one's grandfather is an appropriate mindset when bringing a karbon or davening, then why does Yaakov not do so always?

Yaakov's korbanos in Be'er Sheva are brought on the heels of hearing the news that Yosef is still alive. Perhaps, at this juncture of feeling the relief of Yosef's well-being and the renewed opportunity for Yosef to practice kibud av in person, Yaakov was more sharply focused on the direct father-son relationship and therefore had only Yitzchok in mind at this time. (See also the many midrashim connecting Yaakov's obligation of kibud av to Yitzchok with Yaakov's loss of Yosef's kibud av.)

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