Of the three forefathers, Isaac is discussed the least in the Torah. His nature seems to have been more reserved and introverted. His contribution to the Jewish nation was his self-sacrifice to G-d and self-discipline rather than in his relationship to his fellow man. This was symbolized by one of Isaac’s few activities mentioned in the Torah, his digging and re-digging of wells, implying an internal analysis of his own character, rather than reaching out to others.
Isaac was somewhat removed in his relationship with his children. In the Torah’s description of the two sons, Jacob, the younger twin, is portrayed as the more righteous one, whose days were spent in the tent, in spiritual pursuit. Esau, on the other hand, is seen as a more hedonistic person, spending his time in the fields and pursuing physical pleasures. This would eventually lead him to turn his back on all that he had seen in his father’s house and live a life of wickedness.
Yet, despite their disparate natures, Isaac seemed to value Esau’s character and potential for greatness more than he did that of Jacob’s. Esau was able to mislead his father by asking him various questions about Jewish Law. Rebecca, however, saw through the facade and recognized the true nature of her sons. She oversaw her sons’ interaction to ensure that Jacob not be taken advantage of by Esau’s wiliness.
Even as a young man, Esau proved his scorn for the spiritual world by selling his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a pot of beans. Isaac was not aware of this sale. Many years later, Isaac wanted to give his blessings to Esau. He asked Esau to prepare a good meal for him, to be able to be in the proper frame of mind to offer his blessings.
Rebecca overheard Isaac’s plans and realized that Jacob deserved these blessings, not Esau. Even before her sons had been born, she had received the word of G-d that her younger son would more deserving of G-d’s blessings. In practice, Esau had forfeited the blessings long before by his behavior and by selling his birthright to Jacob. She encouraged Jacob to disguise himself, covering his arms and neck with goatskins to appear hairier than he really was, and pose as Esau, to receive the blessings from his father. Jacob reluctantly followed his mother’s orders. Rebecca prepared a meal for her husband and gave it to Jacob to serve Isaac.
Isaac did not recognize Jacob, and blessed him. When Esau discovered that Jacob had deceived Isaac to receive his blessings, he vowed to take revenge. However, when Isaac learned about the circumstances leading to Jacob’s deceit, he realized his mistake and agreed that the blessings would remain with Jacob.
Jacob was forced to flee from Esau’s wrath, and would not return home for another thirty-six years.
…lest my father feel me and I will be in his eyes like a deceiving person . . . (Gen. 27:12)
A man called Rabbi Nosson Scherman to relay a personal experience. He had wanted to purchase a hat, and he had tried to bargain the storeowner. The owner explained what his profit was on the hat, and that he couldn’t charge him any lower price. The customer understood and paid for the hat.
A couple days later the storeowner called the customer and said that he had just received the bill from his supplier, and he realized that the hat had not cost him as much as he had originally thought. Since he had already told the customer what his profit margin was, he would return the extra profit to the customer.
The man was amazed at the owner’s honesty. Rabbi Scherman replied, “Isn’t it a shame how we get so excited about somebody who merely does the right thing and keeps his word?”
Did You Know...
Many people have the tradition to bless their children Friday night before the meal. Some put both hands on the child’s head, while some only place one hand on the child’s head, so as to differentiate between this blessing and the priestly blessing, where both hands are raised. Although the priestly blessing is generally recited, one may offer other personal blessings too.
Candle lighting time Friday evening is considered a propitious time to pray for one’s children, and many mothers will use that time to pray for their children’s material and spiritual success.
