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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Toldos, 5752

“And Yaakov said sell this day your birthright to me.” (25:31)

The Midrash cites that Yaakov resorted to self-sacrifice in order to attain the birthright from Eisav. It continues to justify Yaakov’s desire for the birthright. This seems puzzling, for we have no indication of self-sacrifice on Yaakov’s part in order to gain the birthright. The Torah only mentions that Yaakov was able to exact the birthright from Eisav through cunning and guile. We may suggest that Yaakov indeed displayed a magnificent sublime form of self-sacrifice. The attribute which characterized Yaakov, is emes (truth) and he excelled in it. For Yaakov to resort to what seems to be subterfuge, even justifiably,…

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Home -> 5752 -> Toldos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Toldos, 5752

“And Eisav despised the birthright.” (25:34)

Whenever one studies this narrative, he will never cease to be amazed at Eisav’s apparent lack of sensitivity to anything of spiritual value. How does one sink so low as to exchange his prized inheritance for a mere bowl of lentil soup? Did Eisav completely lose his concept of spirituality?   Horav Yechezkel Levinstein Z”l notes that this is truly a case in which people follow a misguided perspective of life. How often do we measure success by the yardstick of prosperity, position, or social standing, while simultaneously belittling success in the field of Torah endeavor? How often do we…

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Home -> 5779 -> Toldos

ויבז עשיו את הבכורה

Sruly Schnair
In Toldos, 5779

Eisav spurned the birthright. (25:34)

Eisav saw no value whatsoever in the birthright. Thus, when he was hungry, he quickly sold the birthright for a bowl of red soup. Apparently, selling the birthright is held against Eisav. The fact that he committed five grave sins that day does not seem to carry as much weight as his selling the birthright. Why? The Brisker Rav, zl, explains that concerning the other sins which Eisav committed, he always had the excuse that he was provoked by the yetzer hora, evil inclination. The other sins may have brought him some sort of perverse satisfaction. Selling the birthright was…

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Home -> 5786 -> Toldos

ויאהב יצחק את עשו כי ציד בפיו ורבקה אהבת את יעקב

Sruly Schnair
In Toldos, 5786

Yitzchak loved Eisav for game was in his mouth, but Rivkah loved Yaakov. (25:28)

Rashi explains tzayid b’fiv as “cunning in his mouth.”  Eisav was extremely smooth and able to articulate halachic questions, thereby giving the ruse that he was meticulous in his observance – which he was not.  The obvious question is: How did Eisav pull one over Yitzchak Avinu?  To suggest that, due to his immense level of kedushah, our Patriarch was slightly “naïve” in the evil ways of the world demeans the greatness of Yitzchak.  Being holy does not mean being naïve.  Indeed, Torah study makes one wiser and equips him with greater acuity.  We have no question that Yitzchak knew…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Toldos

“And the sons struggled within her” (25:22)

The Talmud states that the implacable hatred which Eisav exhibited for Yaacov was foreshadowed in their mother’s womb. The eternal struggle between Eisav and Yaakov began even before birth. Hence, says Horav S. R. Hirsch, z.l., the paths of these two rival brothers seems to have been pre-established. This approach is consistent with the teachings of some scholars who contend that the first gestures of a human being are indicative of the tendencies and desires which become evidenced throughout his life. From the most tender age, the child conceals the man. The skilled educator is mandated to display acute sensibility…

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