Rabbi's Corner

This week's parashah, Parashat Toldot, contains the story of the births of Eysav and Ya'akov and the resulting relationship each had with his father, Yitzchak.  We read the following: "And Yitzchak loved Eysav because [he brought] game into his mouth, and Rivkah loved Ya'akov.  Now Ya'akov stewed a stew; and Eysav came from the field, and he was weary.  And Eysav said to Ya'akov, 'Pour into me now some of this red, red [stuff], for I am weary'...And Ya'akov said, ' Sell me - as it is day - your birthright.'  And Eysav said, 'Behold, I am going to die; so why do I need a birthright?'" (Bereshit25:29-32)  The Torah goes on to tell us that Eysav indeed did sell his birthright to Ya'akov for the mere "price" of bread and a stew of lentils.  We are further told, "...and Eysav despised the birthright." (Bereshit 25:34)  Especially in the culture of the Ancient Middle East, the first born son had special privileges which included his father's blessing of the birthright.  He would become, upon his father's death, the primary heir of his father's household.  So the question that must be asked is this: why did Eysav so willingly give up this privilege of the first born son which was so important?

The great Medieval Bible commentator Rashi explains that Eysav knew how important the birthright was and that it entailed huge responsibilities for him and his offspring.  These responsibilities would have included the eventual service by his offspring in the Holy Temple.  If there were any shortcomings in performing the service in the Temple, says, Rashi, Eysav surmised that his offspring could be punished with death.  But why does the Torah tell us that Eysav despised his birthright?  By doing what he did in giving it to his brother, did not Eysav show how important the birthright and the eventual avodah (service) to HaShem it entailed was to him?

Our tradition teaches us that Hashem  places before us many opportunities that make us better human beings and better members of the People Israel.  The lesson of this Torah portion is that we should never let those opportunities slip away from us.  We must never say, "It's too hard for me to do" or "I will do it tomorrow."  Eysav had the opportunity to engage in the service of the birthright that was rightfully his, but he gave it away and eventually rationalized his action by despising it.  Our tradition considers this action to be nothing but disgraceful and dishonorable.  May none of us ever fail to seize any opportunity to honor both ourselves and the People Israel when we are presented with the ability to do so!