Parsha Toldot: Genesis 25:19 – 28:9

November 12, 2010 by Talia Hava Davis

Continued from Page 1

The Blessing of Jacob by Jose be Ribera 1637 via Wikimedia CC Once he was completely covered, Yaakov goes to his father Yitzhak, who was blind, and called to him. Yitzhak is not completely fooled, especially since Esav often took a harsh and abrasive tone to his father and Yaakov didn’t. Esav never mentioned G-d but Yaakov did in his father’s presence. Also, he smelled a unique smell from Yaakov in Esav’s clothing . . . an apple orchard, a breeze from the Garden of Eden. In the end, Yitzhak blessed Yaakov with Esav’s blessing that he should be abundant and fruitful and a masterful nation.

Just as Yaakov left, Esav went in to his father. When the deception was realized, they both were sad. Esav begs, “Have you no blessing for me?” Yitzhak blessed him but it was not the blessing Esav wanted: that he would serve his brother and despite the positive aspects, it was still bitter. Thus, Esav truly hated his brother and planned to kill him.

Rivka knew of Esav’s plan so she begged Yaakov to leave the home. She convinced Yitzhak that Yaakov should go to her brother, Laban, to find a wife and so he convinced Yaakov to go. He blessed Yaakov to be fruitful and multiply and he was on his way with a direct order not to marry any daughters of the Canaanites. Even in his anger, Esav saw that his father did not want him to marry a Canaanite and while he still added women to his household, they were not of that descent.

What is interesting in this portion is that there are no accidents. Why would Esav be born first if Yaakov was supposed to have all these blessings? Yitzhak saw his two sons as potential partners. Esav would care for the physical and Yaakov the spiritual. But this was not realistic for these men and Rivka saw that. She knew that the more materialistic blessings had to go to the less materialistic son. Despite all this, Esav had such a huge potential, one that he tossed away with his birthright.

One more fascinating detail . . . we knew that Yitzhak gave the blessings because he thought he might be close his death. In fact, he lived until around 185. He was actually still alive when his grandson, Yosef (Joseph), was sold into slavery.

Parshat Toldot from G-dcast.com

More Torah cartoons at www.g-dcast.com

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11/12/2010 5:00:00 AM

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About Talia Hava Davis

As the daughter, niece, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of rabbis, Talia Davis has been immersed in Jewish culture and communities throughout her life. She has lived in Israel and served as the Religious and Cultural Vice President of the Southeast Region of North American Federation of Temple Youth. Presently she enjoys attending synagogue at a variety of shuls that range from Chabad Orthodox to her father's post-denominational, Rocky Mountain Hai.

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