parshat toldot: shiur by menachem leibtag presentation by ronni libson yitzchak’s blessing of...
TRANSCRIPT
Parshat Toldot:
Shiur by Menachem Leibtag
Presentation by Ronni Libson
Yitzchak’s Blessing of Yaakov and Esav
Sefer Breishit – Bechira:
Hashem promises Avraham numerous times that his offspring ("zera") would become a great nation in a special land ("aretz"):
Nation is to emerge only from Yitzchak:
Hashem makes this promise to Yitzchak:
2 Possibilities:
EsavYaakov
Tribes
Yishmael and Bnei Keturah
Avraham
Yitchak
Chosen Rejected
Yishmael and Bnei Keturah
Avraham
Yitchak
Chosen Rejected
EsavYaakov
Tribes
No apparent reason for Yitzchak to assume that only one son is to be chosen and the other rejected:
Yitzchak & Yishmael:
Different mothers
Yaakov & Esav:
Same mother Twins!
If one son is chosen:
God’s choice, not Yitzchak’s
If both sons are chosen, why does Yitzchak intend to bless only one of them?
Two types of blessings:
BrachaBechira Hashem’s blessing of “zera v’aretz” to the Avot
Chosen to become forefathers of Hashem’s special nation
One son is chosen, all other children rejected
Yishmael and Bnei Keturah
Avraham
Yitchak
Chosen Rejected
When will this process end?
Blessing of personal destiny given by a father to his sons
Examples:
Noach blesses (or curses) each son based on his potential.
Yaakov Avinu, prior to his death, blesses each of his twelve sons
Bestowed by the fatherBestowed by Hashem
Yitzchak’s blessing for Esav:
Bracha or Bechira?
No reason for Yitzchak to choose only one son
Promises prosperity and leadership:
Bracha
No mention of “zera v’aretz”
Yitzchak’s assumption:
Both children will become God’s nation
Need for political leadership
Esav – Most suitable candidate:
“Ish sadeh” [a man of the world]
Yaakov & Esav are over sixty years old, Esav is married with children, has a job, and can take of himself and others; while Yaakov is still single, and 'living at home.'
Yitzchak must appoint one of his sons to be the family leader
Yaakov – Spiritual leadership
Rivka knows something that Yitzchak does not:
Whether the blessing Yitzchak is going to give is bechira or bracha, the results would be disastrous
Rivka must act on this prophecy
The Aftermath
Yaakov gets bracha of leadership intended for Esav
Esav comes and wants a bracha
But leadership can only be granted to one son!
There is no other bracha for Esav, since he is not suited for the bracha of spirituality intended for Yaakov
Gives Esav the bracha of prosperity - something that can be shared by both brothers.
The blessing of political leadership (“hevei gvir l’achich”) can only be given to one son thus Yitzchak tells Esav that he will be able to obtain this blessing only should Yaakov fall
After the entire episode, Yitzchak finds out the truth.
Blessing to Yaakov before he leaves to Padan Aram in search of a wife:
Bechira