Yaakov and Esav

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1. Ya'akov's Encounter with Esav and His Struggle with the Angel

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   Yaakov prepares extensively to meet with Esav, but there is a great contrast between the fear and trepidation that accompanies the preparations and what happens at the actual meeting. The struggle with the angel, which is at the very center of the story, is an integral part of the narrative; the purpose of the struggle is to explain the gap between the preparations and the actual meeting.

2. Esav's Merit

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   Despite Chazal's general hostility toward Esav, they benefitted him with one great deed: his respect for his father Yitzchak. What is the significance of this mitzvah? Apparently Esav refrained from killing Yaakov only out of respect toward his father. Yaakov's sons did not have the same respect for their father, which nearly cost Yosef his life. And what is the difference between Esav and King David?

3. "Rejoice With Trembling"

   Haftarot: Toldot

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   The bible presents two models for the relationship between man and God. One parallels the relationship between a servant and his master, and the other is an intimate and loving relationship. The service of God is meant to include both models.

4. Esav As a Brother; Esav As the Other

   Haftarot: Va'yishlah

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   There is a duality in the attitude of the Torah and prophets toward Esau. On the one hand; Esau is viewed as sinfully proud and falsely self-confident nation; and on the other; Esau is viewed as a brother to the nation of Israel; who denies the bond and attempts to take the place of his brother.

5. Learning How to Daven From Nineveh

   Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 8

   Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 17 minutes

   This shiur highlights the significance of Tefilla in the Megilla. The strength of prayer, exemplified by the gathering and fasting of the Jews, is such that prayer can affect Divine will—and therefore choices are crucial. The megilla helps repair the lack of focus on Tefilla in pre-exilic times, and paves the way for a greater centrality of Tefilla in Jewish life.

6. Yaakov's Struggle and Confrontation

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 minutes

   Yaakov is left alone and struggles with a mysterious figure. Why are they struggling and why does Yaakov insist on receiving a blessing from this stranger? What motivates Yaakov to meet Esav, and why does God insist on this meeting? Blessedness stems from struggles. The struggle, and the meeting with Esav, is a manifestation of Yaakov’s character transformation and of his sincere search for forgiveness.

7. Yaakov Struggles

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 37 minutes

   Traditional explanations of Yaakov’s preparation for his meeting with Esav shows that Yaakov, who is terrified, is anticipating war. The subsequent meeting, however, is brotherly, even joyous, with no indication of obvious hostility. If Esav is so loving, why is Yaakov afraid? And what is the meaning of the mysterious fight in the night, which has semantic echoes in Yaakov’s daytime words to Esav? There seems to be evidence of a character transformation—but of whom?

8. Does Our History Become Laws?

   Rabbi David Fohrman |

   Many of the laws given to the Jewish nation were actually based on the stories of our forefathers and foremothers. In this video, Rabbi Fohrman demonstrates the foundation of the laws of murder in Parashat mishpatim in the story of Yaakov and Esav. Want to see more videos like this? Check out https://www.alephbeta.org/

9. God’s Eternal Preference for Israel over Edom

   Dr. Tova Ganzel

   Although it seems that this prophecy is directed to Edom, it is actually addressed to Israel. The shared historical background of the Israel and Edom, on one hand, and the habitation of the Edomites to the south of Yehuda, on the other, presented a religious challenge.

   The nation’s fear that God preferred Esav prevailed until the beginning of the return to the land. Even after the Second Temple was built by the returnees, the status of the Edomites – the descendants of Esav – caused Am Yisrael to doubt their own status in God’s eyes. This seems to be an echo of the fear that the Divine choice of Yaakov over Esav is not an eternal choice but that God might change His mind. The impression arising from Yehezkel’s response is that the nation feels that perhaps now, following the destruction of the Temple, after it has been made clear that Am Yisrael did not uphold the covenant with God, God will continue His covenant with Avraham via the sons of Esav, rather than through the descendants of Yaakov.

   The hostility between Israel and Edom throughout the generations grew even stronger during the years of Yehezkel’s prophecies, owing to the active participation of some Edomites in shedding the blood of Am Yisrael during the Destruction.

   To alleviate the fear of the nation, Yehezkel prophesied the destruction and desolation of Edom as a punishment for their abuse of the remnant of Yehuda. The mountains of Israel will be rebuilt on the ruins of Mount Se’ir.

10. "And the Children Strove Within Her"

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    The first part of this article deals with the story of the birth of Yaakov and Esav and establishes that their birth set the tone for the experiences they underwent in their youth. The second part of the article discusses the influence of their birth story on the future events in Yaakov and Esav's lives, and particularly the story of the stolen blessing. 

11. The Birthright

    Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

    The story of the sale of the birthright is one of the strangest stories in all of the Torah. Why does Yaakov want to buy the birthright? Can a birthright really be 'bought' or 'sold'? Is Yaakov exploiting Esav's weak state, forcing him to sell the birthright against his will? 

    By closely examining this story and the stories in all of Sefer Bereishit, we notice that one of the most important themes of Sefer Bereishit is the matter of Divine chosenness. Throughout the Sefer we grapple with the question of who is chosen. Who is God choosing to represent God's way in the world? And throughout the Sefer, the one who is chosen is not the firstborn. The entire Sefer teaches that the physical fact of being the eldest does not automatically ensure the right to the firstborn blessing. God chooses the person who is worthy of receiving the blessing. God's blessing is given on the basis of merit, not chronology.

12. Dividing the Berakhot

    Rabbi Ezra Bick

    The question of why Yitzchak wanted to give Esav the berakhot (blessings) is one of the most widely discussed by commentators on Bereishit. This article approaches this question by providing insight into the different world views experienced by Ytizchak and Rivka, and their vastly different character traits, which serves as the reasoning behind Yitzchak wanting to bless Esav, and Rivka ultimately plotting to steal the blessing for Yaakov.  

13. "Give Truth to Yaakov"

    Rabbi Zeev Weitman

    The story of the birth of Yaakov and Esav, their upbringing, the stolen blessing, and Yaakov's departure to Haran can be seen as two separate narratives, attempting to grapple with the problematic theme of trickery and deceit.

    The synthesis of these two narratives entails drawing a distinction between the two blessings. There is the blessing of Avraham, which relates to the destiny of descendants and of the land, while the other blessing involves power and material abundance. The synthesis of these two stories also suggests that while on one hand, Yaakov and his descendants are chosen by God because of their special and unique merit, at the same time, there is also a Divine decision that has no apparent reason and does not arise from any inherent quality.

14. Esav - Potential and Fulfillment

    Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen

15. Esav and the Birthright - Fear and Scorn

    Rabbi David Silverberg

16. Netziv on Yitzhak's Blessing

    Rabbi David Silverberg

17. "Selling" the Birthright: Rav Hirsch and Rav David Tzvi Hoffman

    Rabbi David Silverberg

18. Yaakov and Esav's Discussion of the Birthright: A Natural Transfer

    Rabbi David Silverberg

19. Rav Soloveichik's Approach to Esav as a Man of the Hunt and the Field

    Rabbi David Silverberg

20. Requesting the "Red Stuff"

    Rabbi David Silverberg

21. When Rivka Went to Seek God

    Rabbi David Silverberg

22. Traits That Yitzhak Looked For

    Rabbi David Silverberg

23. Squandering the Birthright

    Rabbi David Silverberg

24. Selling the Birthright - Or Sacrificial Rites?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

25. Midrashic Setting of Yitzhak's Blessings to his Sons: Pesach or Rosh HaShana

    Rabbi David Silverberg

26. Esav is Called Edom

    Rabbi David Silverberg

27. Rivka - Mother of Yaakov AND Esav

    Rabbi David Silverberg

28. Kan Tzipor & Yaakov's Deception of Esav

    Rabbi David Fohrman

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | |

    Can the Torah create an immersive, three-dimensional experience? We argue that yes, it does and look at certain methodology of doing so. We will see how one verse can serve as a lens and a larger text will be the screen. The "lens" in this shiur is the mitzva about the mother bird and her nest. We will then view the story of Yaakov and Esav's meeting in Parashat VaYishlach through the lens of that verse about the mother bird. Why did Yaakov send messengers to Esav, when he had no evidence that Esav's anger had abated? Who is the "mother bird" in this story? Who "sends the mother bird away?" What role do Rivka's instructions to Yaakov play here?

29. Yaakov, Yosef, and Esav: Fire, Flame, and Straw

    Rabbi David Silverberg

30. Be'er Sheva and Hevron: Stability or Strife?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

31. The Meaning of Kappara (Atonement) in the Torah

    Rabbi Yehuda Rock

    Kappara (atonement) occupies a very important place in the Torah, particularly in the context of the Sanctuary and its sacrifices. The subject is covered for the most part in Sefer Vayikra, but it is actually in the story of Yaakov and Esav (in parashat Vayishlach) that the commentators have chosen to address the general question of the meaning of atonement.

    It would seem that "atonement" is generally understood as occupying the same semantic realm as forgiveness (selicha) and pardon (mechila), i.e., as referring to a change in attitude on God's part towards man, with regard to his sins, and in the context of withholding punishment. In rabbinic literature, this meaning certainly exists. However, as we shall see, in the language of the Torah this is not what the concept means.

    Our discussion will be based on a philological and exegetical examination, following which we will also be able to build a more fundamental conceptual understanding of kappara, pertaining to some elementary aspects of the relations between man and God.

32. Rashi's Bible Commentary- Does it Really Reflect his Inner World of Values?

    Dr. Lisa Fredman |

    Despite the fact that Rashi's Bible Commentary is primarily culled from Midrashic and Talmudic literature, we will seek to detect Rashi's own values and ideals. We will implement certain principles through which we will search for the man behind the commentary.

33. The Parallel Between Yaakov and Avraham

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman

    Yaakov’s departure from Canaan is surprising considering Yitzchak’s prohibition to leave the land. This article compares the main events of Yaakov’s life with those of his grandfather Avraham. The comparison is reinforced by content and literary analysis. Yaakov is required to create the nation of Avraham’s offspring after the crisis of Esau’s rejection despite the fact that he was Yitzchak’s son.

34. "Yaakov Remained Alone - and a Man Wrestled with him until Daybreak

    Rabbi David Fuchs

35. I Have Seen Your Face Like Having Seen the Face of God

    Rabbi David Silverberg

36. Yaakov Anticipating Esav's Questions: Why So Many Words?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

37. Esav - Much Arrogance?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

38. Rav Hirsch on Yaakov's Dread

    Rabbi David Silverberg

39. Yaakov's Blessing for Esav

    Rabbi David Silverberg

40. Yaakov Proceeding at His Pace

    Rabbi David Silverberg

41. Yaakov Lives in the Land of His Father's Residence

    Rabbi David Silverberg

42. Yosef and Esav

    Rabbi David Silverberg

43. Clothing and Unclothing as Leitmotif in Yaakov's Family

    Rabbi Francis Nataf | Hour and 1 minutes

    Clothing plays a major role in defining a person’s identity and character- both as perceived by one’s self and by others. We can gain a deeper appreciation of this concept through a close examination of stories in the book of Genesis, particularly tracing the characters of Yehuda and Yosef. Through an exploration of the narratives we can appreciate that clothing serves as a method of communication, a form of identity and self-perception, and helped shaped the story of the Jewish nation. 

44. Toldot: Yaakov's Deceptive Words to Yitzhak

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 20 minutes

    We look at the episode of Yaakov impersonating Esav, and focus on the issue of Yaakov lying.  How could Yaakov lie to his father? We grapple with the problematic nature of a type of comment by Rashi.

    Rashi comments that Yaakov’s words were technically possibly not lying, though he still misled his father. This type of comment is troubling, though. Yaakov is still deceiving his father – and still essentially lying. One could argue that lying is justified in this context, but is the idea of formulating words in a clever manner really better? The problem of lying is about communication with deception. 

45. Toldot: What Happened to the Prophecy about Yaakov?

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 22 minutes

    In this shiur, we ask: What happened? After the prophecy Rivka received about the struggle of her two sons, and the fight over the birthright, what is the bottom line? Who ends up with the birthright or ascendancy? We see from  the continuing stories that  it is a bit confusing, and very unclear. Yaakov appears to walk away with everything at first - but is that the case? He is forced to flee, and when he returns to Canaan he seemingly grovels to Esav and possibly even "returns" the bracha. We look at different approaches to the text and to the different turns of events, and we also examine different approaches to the nature of prophecy. Is prophecy as strong as our own choices?

46. Malakhi’s Opening Chapter

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

    Malakhi structures his prophecy as an ongoing series of dialogues between God and the Jewish People, forming the backbone of the book and as well as its central motif.

    Malakhi consistently sees the world through the lenses of the intimate relationship between God and the Jewish People. In this sense, he is fittingly named “my messenger,” emphasizing the immediacy of the connection between God and His people.

    Malakhi places great emphasis on the centrality of family relations to our responsibilities not only toward God, but also our fellow Jews and humanity.

    Although the Second Temple has not yet attained the honor described in Haggai’s prophecy, Malakhi chastises the priests for relating dishonorably to the sacrificial service.  Apparently, given the Temple’s relatively sorry state, the priests likely saw no reason to act reverentially toward the service. Moreover, although the exact date of Malakhi’s prophecy is unknown, the sense is that the Temple had already been functioning for some time. At this point, the Temple was likely no longer a novelty, and quite possibly was taken for granted by the priests.

    Today, many younger people take the existence of Israel for granted; they did not see the founding of the State or the miraculous victories in wars, such as in 1967. The challenge of the current generation is not to fall into the trap that ensnared the priests – to remain passionately committed to Jerusalem even when its restoration is no longer freshly imprinted upon our hearts.

47. Rashi

    Part 7 - Rashi and Christianity (II)

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    In the Torah itself, we find the following pro-Israel and anti-Christian trends in Rashi's commentary that appear to be a response to Christianity:

    • The Eternal Selection of Jewish Nation
    • The Jewish Nation as a Moral People
    • The demonization of Esav as a symbol of Christianity
    • The defense of Yaakov and his entitlement to the birthrite and the blessings

    These interpretations of Rashi cannot be seen only as encouraging the Jewish community at a time of persecution; it appears that Rashi’s aim is to teach his generation how to answer theological challenges.

48. Ramban

    Part 2

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    This lesson is dedicated to a number of philosophical topics that recur throughout the Ramban’s commentary on the Torah.

    Maaseh Avot Siman Lebanim – The events that transpire with the forefathers is an omen for the children.

    This historical view of the Ramban is of great significance, not just in the field of exegesis, but also because it has such a clear polemical anti-Christian aim. Indeed there is an allusion to the future in the stories of the forefathers, but the allusion is for Israel’s future — what is decreed upon their seed — but not for others, who are not of their seed.

    The Superiority of the Land of Israel

    The superiority of the Land of Israel predates Avraham and to the People of Israel. The overturning of Sodom was due to the superiority of the Land of Israel. As opposed to the other lands of the worlds that are managed by angelic representatives of God, the Land of Israel is managed by God directly.

    The main significance of the fulfillment of commandments is in the Land of Israel.

    Nissayon – Test

    The test is designed to serve not the Tester, God, but rather the one who is being tested. The nissayon in the Torah is an opportunity which is provided for the righteous to apply in practice their dedication to God and to earn a reward for this. In this way, they will receive a reward not only for their potential dedication, but for their actual dedication as is described with regard to Akeidat Yitzhak and the mann.

49. Rivka & Esther: Mirror Images

    Vivien Hidary

    תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour and 7 minutes

    The genre for Megillat Esther seems to be cryptology -  the message is encrypted, because otherwise it would have been censored by the ruling powers in the Persian Empire. To decipher the message, we need the codebook, and for us - the codebook is the Torah.

    Our focus in this shiur is on Esther and Rivka, two women who had to take action for the sake of the nation. But our study of Esther will bring us to far-reaching comparisons with other women (and men) in Tanakh, as we pay careful attention to the wording, leitmotif (milah manha), and other tools that offer hints at a hidden message about an enduring struggle. 

50. Why Did Isaac Love Esau?

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

    Why did Yitzchak love Esav over Yaakov ?  Did he not know about Rivkah’s oracle? Did he not know that Esau was wild and impetuous? Can we really take literally the proposition that Yitzchak loved Esav because “he had a taste for wild game,” as if his affections were determined by his stomach, by the fact that his elder son brought him food he loved? Surely not, when the very future of the covenant was at stake.

    The classic answer is that Yitzchak loved Esav because he simply did not know who or what Esav was. But there is another possible answer: that Yitzchak loved Esav precisely because he did know what Esav was.

     

    This article is from the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

51. Why Did Isaac Love Esau? (Audio)

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 7 minutes

    Why did Yitzchak love Esav over Yaakov ?  Did he not know about Rivkah’s oracle? Did he not know that Esau was wild and impetuous? Can we really take literally the proposition that Yitzchak loved Esav because “he had a taste for wild game,” as if his affections were determined by his stomach, by the fact that his elder son brought him food he loved? Surely not, when the very future of the covenant was at stake.

    The classic answer is that Yitzchak loved Esav because he simply did not know who or what Esav was. But there is another possible answer: that Yitzchak loved Esav precisely because he did know what Esav was.

     

    This lecture is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

52. Toldot: The Birthright - Lentil Stew Exchange

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky

53. Was Jacob Right To Take Esau’s Blessing?

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

    Was Jacob right to take Esau’s blessing in disguise? Was he right to deceive his father and to take from his brother the blessing Isaac sought to give him? Was Rivka right in conceiving the plan in the first place and encouraging Jacob to carry it out? These are fundamental questions dealing with this episode. We can attempt to answer these questions by suggesting two dramatically different readings of this narrative. 

     

    This article is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

54. Was Jacob Right To Take Esau’s Blessing? (Audio)

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 13 minutes

    Was Jacob right to take Esau’s blessing in disguise? Was he right to deceive his father and to take from his brother the blessing Isaac sought to give him? Was Rivka right in conceiving the plan in the first place and encouraging Jacob to carry it out? These are fundamental questions dealing with this episode. We can attempt to answer these questions by suggesting two dramatically different readings of this narrative. 

     

    This lecture this part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

55. Toldot: All My Children

    Rabbi Jay Kelman

56. Vayeitzei: Consequences of Jacob's Deceit

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    Last week, we saw Jacob trick his father Isaac and stole Esau's birthright, devastating his brother and causing him to cry. Are we really meant to applaud Jacob's behavior? In this video, Rabbi Fohrman explores the scene when Jacob and Rachel first meet, in which Jacob too cries. Through a deeper understanding of this midrash, we are shown special insights into the text and can begin to understand how Jacob can be called a man of truth.

     

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57. Becoming a Person of Integrity

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    How do we reconcile Jacob's behavior, tricking his brother and lying to his father, with our vision of Yaakov as an ish emet, a man of truth? Through an analysis of several seemingly unimportant details, we will connect two stories in which Yaakov is a central character and understand what it means to develop into a person of character.

     

     

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58. Toldot: A Conversation For the Ages

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In Parshat Toldot, we are shown a conversation between father and son in which the father's spiritual heritage is passed down. We had seen this conversation between Abraham and Isaac; however, now, we see similar textual and thematic parallels in conversations between Isaac and both Esau and Jacob. In this video, we will explore these parallels and ask, what do they teach us about the nature of heritage?

     

     

    If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.

59. Vayeshev: Sibling Rivalry

    Rabbi Jay Kelman

60. Parshat Toldot Part 1: Yaakov and Esav

    Rabbi Gad Dishi | 30 minutes

    The beginning of Parshat Toldot presents a conclusion to the Avraham stories, as well as an introduction to Yaakov and Esav’s lives;  the meaning of birth order, prophecy, and birthright. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

61. Parshat Toldot Part 6: Separation of Powers

    Rabbi Gad Dishi | 18 minutes

    This final podcast of Parshat Toldot deals with the aftermath of the blessing narrative, in which Esav vows to kill Yaakov, and Yaakov leaves on a journey to find a wife. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

62. The Taking of the Blessings – Means vs. Ends

    Dr. Brachi Elitzur

    At the center of our parasha is the story of how Yaakov obtains the blessings meant for Esav, his brother. In the midrashim that serve as background to Rashi's well-known explanations, Chazal take a positive view of Yaakov's actions, justifying and legitimizing his taking of the blessings, while Esav stands accused of the most demonic sins in the history of man, sins whose connection with the plain text seems far-fetched. In this shiur, we will explore the difficulty of discovering the textual evaluation of Yaakov's act. Close examination of the literary devices employed by the text will reveal an ambivalent and undecided stance in relation to the act of deception, and we will try to understand what message this equivocation means to convey.

63. Birthrights and Blessings

    Rabbi Yair Kahn

    Upon reaching old age, Yitzchak decides to bless his first born and favorite son – Esav. Rivka overhears the plan and concocts a plot to “steal” the berakhot for Yaakov, her favorite. The plot succeeds and Yaakov is blessed.  This story raises many serious exegetical and ethical issues. How could Yitzchak be fooled by Esav? Why was it necessary to trick Yitzchak? Why couldn’t Rivka simply have spoken to her husband? How can fooling one’s elderly blind father be considered ethically acceptable behavior? On the other hand, if it’s not ethical, do ends justify the means? Through a close analysis of the text we will present two approaches, which deal with the difficulties in very different ways and discuss the question of human involvement in God’s plan.

64. A Gift

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky

65. What do we learn from Yaacov's encounter with Eisav?

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 37 minutes

    The shiur examines midrashim that use the story of Yaacov's meeting with Eisav to extrapolate lessons about the relationship between the Jewish people and the nations of the world.

66. Yaakov and Esav – Three perspectives on their meeting

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky

67. Between Rashi's Torah and Nakh Commentaries: Similarities, Differences and Rationale

    Dr. Lisa Fredman

    תאריך פרסום: 2022 | | Hour and 3 minutes

    Thousands of studies have been dedicated to Rashi's Torah Commentary, much fewer have been written about his commentary on the rest of the Tanakh, and little attention has been paid to comparing the two. Using Esav as a case study, we will compare Rashi's treatment of this biblical personality in both commentaries, uncover significant differences, and posit important reasons for this discrepancy.