Yaakov/0/en

Yaakov – Overview

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Unique Traits

"וְיַעֲקֹב אִישׁ תָּם יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים"

Bereshit 25 introduces Yaakov by telling the reader that he was an "אִישׁ תָּם יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים". What, though, do each of these descriptions mean?

• "אִישׁ תָּם" – Most commentators explain this term to mean that Yaakov was honest and upright, a man of integrity.  Shadal adds that despite that there might have been an element of deceit in Yaakov's actions towards Esav, this does not negate his overall honest nature.
• "יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים" – Commentators explain this term in very differing ways:
• A man of learning – Bereshit Rabbah, Rashi, and Ralbag all explain that Yaakov spent his days in the "Beit Midrash of Shem and Ever" learning. Radak agrees that "אֹהָלִים" refers to "tents of learning" but suggests that Yaakov filled his days searching after more general wisdom.¹
• A man of solitude – R. Avraham b. HaRambam suggests  that Yaakov spent his days in solitude, engaging in "התבודדות", presumably trying to commune with His creator.
• Shepherd – Rashbam and Ibn Ezra more simply suggest that the verse speaks of Yaakov's shepherding profession, pointing to the phrase "אֲבִי יֹשֵׁב אֹהֶל וּמִקְנֶה" (Bereshit 4:20) as evidence.

Businessman

Possible Sins / Flaws

Sale of the Birthright

Bereshit 25 discusses Yaakov's buying of the birthright from the famished Esav. The story raises several question regarding the ethics of Yaakov's actions.  Did he not exploit his brother's hunger for his own gain? Is not buying the birthright for a mere pot of lentils considered extortion?  Commentators attempt to defend Yaakov's behavior in a number of ways: [For a full discussion of the issue, see Sale of the Birthright – A Fair Deal?]

• Esav was unworthy – According to Bereshit Rabbah and Rashi, the birthright was a spiritual commodity, the priestly status, which Esav was both unworthy of and uninterested in receiving.
• Yaakov paid fair value – Rashbam claims that Yaakov paid for the birthright in full, with money.  The accompanying meal served simply to seal the deal.  Ibn Ezra, instead, suggests that the birthright was almost worthless since Yitzchak was penniless. As such, the lentil stew was a fair price.
• Right to look out for one's self – R"Y Bekhor Shor assumes that the birthright granted the eldest son the rights to the father's entire estate, claiming that under such circumstances Yaakov had the right to put his own interests ahead of his brother's.

Taking the Blessing

Chapter 27 describes Rivka's machinations to ensure that Yitzchak's blessing go to Yaakov rather than Esav.  How should Yaakov's role in the deception of his father be viewed?  Was he a willing or unwilling participant?   Were his actions justified?

• Justified –Several commentators suggest that Yaakov's deceit was justified:
• Heeding mother and prophecy – Radak suggests that Yaakov was simply acting according to his mother's wishes. Moreover since he was the worthy son, and acting to fulfill the prophecy,² his deception was justified.³ 
• Retrieving a loss – R"Y Bekhor Shor, instead, claims that when Yaakov bought the birthright, he bought the rights to the blessing.  Sine Esav was trying to renege on the deal, Yaakov cannot be blamed for trying to retrieve was was rightfully his.
• Mitigate wrong-doing – Bereshit Rabbah and Rashi attempt to minimize Yaakov's lying by repunctuating his words "אָנֹכִי עֵשָׂו בְּכֹרֶךָ" to read "אנכי – המביא לך, ועשו הוא בכורך."
• Unwilling participant – HaKetav veHaKabbalah, instead, defends Yaakov by  suggesting that he was an unwilling participant, and even hoped to be found out.
• Unjustified – Tanchuma suggests that Yaakov was punished measure for measure for his trickery. See also Maasei Hashem.

Family Life

Favored by Rivka

Bereshit 25:28 shares that while Yitzchak preferred Esav, Rivka favored Yaakov (וְרִבְקָה אֹהֶבֶת אֶת יַעֲקֹב).  What led Rivka to love Yaakov?

• The prophecy – Rashbam clams that Rivka's preference for Yaakov was a direct result of the prophecy which granted him superior status to his brother.
• Shepherd –
• Character

Relationship with Esav

Favoring Yosef

Religious Identity

Oath at Beit El

Comparisons

¹ The difference of opinion might relate to the question of what would have been learned in a Beit Midrash centuries before the Torah was given.  Did the Avot know of future mitzvot? For elaboration, see Avot and Mitzvot – Was Avraham the First Jew?

² See Rashbam who precedes him on this point.

³ See Or HaCHayyim who goes a step further claiming that there is  a Torah obligation to listen to a true prophet even if they give a one -time command to transgress a law, so Yaakov was justified in his deception.