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November 28, 2003/Kislev 3 5764, Vol. 56, No. 10
Birthright blessing
Torah study
RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN
Toldot/Genesis 25:19-28:9
"When Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, '...hunt me some game ... that I may give you my innermost blessing before I die.'" (Genesis 27:1,3,4)
Why does Isaac initially choose to give the birthright blessing to Esau? The immediate verse preceding Isaac's invitation to Esau tells us that "(The Hittite wives) were a source of bitterness to Isaac and Rebecca." (Genesis 26:35) Moreover, Isaac certainly knew that Esau had sold and scorned the birthright. So even if his blindness had prevented him from seeing the immoral behavior of Esau, how could Isaac have chosen Esau over Jacob for the birthright blessing?
The biblical chapter preceding the bestowal of the blessings opens with a famine in the land of Israel, causing Isaac to settle in Gerar - the city of the Philistine King Abimelekh. He receives a divine promise that eventually this land will be part of his patrimony of Israel.
Abraham had made a treaty with Abimelekh, presumably allowing the descendants of each to dwell on that land. Abimelekh seems to be honoring his treaty, because he instructs his nation that if anyone even touches Isaac or his wife, the criminal will be put to death.
However, the fly in the ointment becomes apparent as Isaac waxes wealthy, owning flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. The Philistines become jealous and plug up all the wells that Abraham's servants had dug in the area during Abraham's lifetime. Abimelekh then confronts Isaac, chasing him away and charging him with having become more powerful than they by taking over their wealth.
Isaac's servants dig new wells in their exiled place of habitation, his rights to two out of three of them being contested by the Philistines. To add insult to injury, Abimelekh comes to Isaac in order to make a new treaty with him. A dumbstruck Isaac incredulously asks, "Why have you come to me, seeing that you have been hostile to me and have driven me away from you?" (Genesis 26:27)
Abimelekh, shamelessly responds, "you will not do us harm, just as we have not molested you but have always dealt kindly with you and sent you away in peace." (Genesis 26:29)
Isaac makes a treaty with Abimelekh, and it is at this point in the text that we are told that Esau took Hittite wives, but nevertheless Isaac summons Esau for the birthright blessing.
I believe that the biblical order explains Isaac's choice. Isaac loves the land of Israel; he alone out of all the patriarchs never forsakes its sacred earth. Yet, he is at a loss to protect the land, even to protect his right to continue to live on the land, even after making treaties with the Philistines. He is told that he ought be grateful that he was merely banished from the land and not personally harmed; and he is humiliated into entering into yet another treaty with the same rogue who has so callously reneged on his past treaties.
Isaac understands that although God has promised us the land, we will have to do battle in order to occupy it. He is probably disappointed in his lack of ability to stand up for his rights and strike back at Abimelekh. And when he looks at his twin sons, he concludes that only an Esau will have the wherewithal to stand up to our enemies and fight for the patrimony.
Indeed, as Isaac bestows the birthright blessing, he first smells the fragrance of the garments, declaring, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of the fields that the Lord has blessed." (Genesis 27:27)
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin is the spiritual leader of Efrat, Israel.
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