Parashat Toldot 5786

by Rabbi Margie Cella

After 20 childless years of marriage, Rebecca conceived twins. Experiencing a difficult pregnancy, Rebecca herself consulted God, who explained that two nations would descend from her, with the older serving the younger. When they were delivered, the first was named Esau, the second Jacob.

The boys were extremely different; Isaac favored Esau, while Rebecca favored Jacob. When they grew into adulthood, Esau, coming home famished from a day of hunting, found Jacob cooking a pot of lentils. Esau traded his birthright to Jacob for some of the stew. Later, when Isaac grew old and his eyesight began failing him, he called Esau and instructed him to go and hunt for some game to prepare a meal for him before he would administer a blessing on his son. While Esau was gone, Rebecca schemed to assure that Jacob would receive the blessing instead, instructing him to kill a goat and put the skins on his hands to deceive his father into thinking that he was Esau when bringing him a meal.

Though Isaac was suspicious, questioning Jacob multiple times, asking if he really was Esau, he ultimately did give the  blessing of the firstborn to Jacob. No sooner had Jacob left than Esau came in bearing a meal for Isaac and seeking the blessing. When the deceit was revealed, Isaac blessed Esau as well, but made him subservient to his brother. Esau was so angry that he vowed to kill Jacob. As a result, Jacob was sent away from home for his own protection.

Thus, a “small” act of deception shattered a family and had ramifications for two nations right down to this very day. Oseh Shalom, Maker of Peace, may we see the day when the descendants of Jacob and the descendants of Esau can live together in peace.