A Portrait of Esav/1

A Portrait of Esav

Introduction

THIS TOPIC HAS NOT YET UNDERGONE EDITORIAL REVIEW

Parents Playing Favorites

From the outset, Yitzchak and Rivka each favored one of their children.

EN/HEע/E

וַיֶּאֱהַב יִצְחָק אֶת עֵשָׂו כִּי צַיִד בְּפִיו וְרִבְקָה אֹהֶבֶת אֶת יַעֲקֹב. (בראשית כ"ה:כ"ח)

And Yitzchak loved Esav, because he ate of his hunting, and Rivka loved Yaakov. (Bereshit 25:28)

These preferences came to the fore again, in the story of the blessings. While Yitzchak wanted to bless Esav, Rivka ensured that Yaakov was blessed. What led each parent to prefer a different son? What is the meaning of "כִּי צַיִד בְּפִיו" ere their predilections due to their sons' innate character traits or actions, or to more superficial differences such as age order or their chosen professions?

Esav's Actions

While Tanakh might be explicit regarding the judgment of Esav by both Hashem and his parents, it is very obscure as to the basis for such judgments. We, in fact, know very little about either Esav's deeds or character, and almost every story can be evaluated in multiple ways:

• In Bereshit 25:27 we are told that Esav was a hunter. Though some exegetes understand this negatively, suggesting that it connotes a trapping and deceitful mind, there is no explicit basis for this in the verses.
• A more overt sin is Esav's marriage to Canaanite women which caused grief to both parents. Yet, Bereshit 28:8-9 tells us that when he realized his mistake, Esav tried to rectify it by marrying one of the daughters of Yishmael.¹
• A third possible flaw in Esav can be found in Bereshit 25:34, where we read of the sale of the birthright and how Esav disdained it. If one assumes that the birthright is more than just an earthly inheritance, then mocking the birthright can attest to a certain depravity of character. However, this understanding of the birthright is not accepted by all of the exegetes and the despising of the birthright has other explanations unrelated to Esav's nature.²
• A final episode which might provide insight into the character of Esav is detailed in Bereshit 32-33. Esav, accompanied by a group of 400 men, comes to greet Yaakov. Does this indicate that Esav is planning to aggressively attack his brother? If so, how are we to understand that his first action upon seeing Yaakov is, instead, to embrace and kiss him?

 

Esav the Enigma

The explicit choice of Yaakov over Esav, without any clear textual evidence as to Esav's negative qualities or explicit mention of egregious sins, leaves the reader to wonder why was Esav rejected? What were his faults? How should we evaluate his character?

Hashem's Choice

Malakhi begins his prophecies with a statement about Hashem's relationship to both Yaakov and Esav.

EN/HEע/E

(ב) אָהַבְתִּי אֶתְכֶם אָמַר ה' וַאֲמַרְתֶּם בַּמָּה אֲהַבְתָּנוּ הֲלוֹא אָח עֵשָׂו לְיַעֲקֹב נְאֻם ה' וָאֹהַב אֶת יַעֲקֹב. (ג) וְאֶת עֵשָׂו שָׂנֵאתִי וָאָשִׂים אֶת הָרָיו שְׁמָמָה וְאֶת נַחֲלָתוֹ לְתַנּוֹת מִדְבָּר. (מלאכי א':ב'-ג')

(2) You have been loved by me, said Hashem. But you say, Where was your love for us? Was not Esav Yaakov's brother? Said Hashem: and Yaakov was loved by me. (3) But Esav I hated, and I made his mountains a desolation, and I gave his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness. (Malakhi 1:2-3)

According to Malakhi, Hashem loves Yaakov but hates Esav. Malakhi, though, does not explain Hashem's preference. Was this a random choice, or was it caused by Yaakov's or Esav's actions?

¹ Though Esav does not rid himself of his original wives, there is an obvious attempt to correct a wrongdoing.

² For a full discussion of the issues, see Sale of the Birthright.