Kahane on the Parsha
Rabbi Binyamin Kahane- Parshat Toldot
"I WANT IT, AND I WANT IT NOW!"
In Parshat Toldot we find two opposing worldviews, symbolized by
Jacob and Esav. One worldview sees physical pleasure as life's ultimate goal.
It stresses the present and downplays the consequences of one's actions. Its
motto? "Live for today!"
The other worldview stresses spirituality and place the service
of G-d at the center of man's existence. Man must carefully calibrate his
actions for they determine his future.
Esav's brusque demand, "Let me swallow, I pray thee, some
of this red, red stuff" (Genesis 25:30), expresses the first worldview.
Esav uses his intellect to satisfy his desires. His intellect is subservient to
his body.
It is precisely this "living for today" philosophy
which make Esav weak and susceptible to Jacob's offer to buy his birthright.
After all, what is a birthright- a vague honor, an ambiguous title which only
has real impolications in the distant future- compared to a steaming pot of
lentils after a hard day's hunting? "And Esav said, "Behold, I am
going to die; what profit shall the birthright be to me?'" (ibid. 25:32).
Jacob's approach to life is completely different. He plants
seeds today in order to reap tomorrow. He does not give in to fleeting desires.
He has the ability to see the future and plan for it. His intellect is master
over his body, and he is willing to patiently wait to receive the firstborn
blessing many years later.
What happens to Esav? He ultimately is exposed before his father
Yitzchak and bursts into hysterical tears: "He cried with an exceedingly
great and bitter cry" (ibid. 27:34). Referring to Jacob, Esav tells his
father, "He has tricked me these two times; he took away my birthright
and, behold, now he has taken away my blessing" (ibid. 27:36). Here we see
Esav's infantile reaction the moment his illusions explode. For Esav now
realizes, albeit too late, the consequences of "living for today." He
sacrificed something truly valuable for a fleeting pleasure. His brother receved
eternal blessing and he- a lousy pot of lentils.
The worldviews represented by Jacob and Esav are quite pertinent
in helping us understand the present situation in Israel and the peace (read:
suicide) process. It is the "Esavian" plague which makes the
"peaceniks" so eager to throw away their birthright and homeland for
a figurative pot of lentils- empty and vague of promises of peace when all of
human history and common sense point toward a future of more bloodshed.
Just as Esav was already fully formed at birth, so too do the
peaceniks come with ready-made plans for peace NOW. Like Esav, they approach
life with an attitude devoid of any real content. And so they forsake the
future and eternal aspect of the Jewish nation for fleeing momentary pleasures.
We, the children of Jacob, approach life in accordance with our
covenant with G-d. Peace? Only "if you walk in My statutes"
(Leviticus 26:3). Any other way will LEAD TO TRAGEDY. All other answers will
blow up in our face, just like Esav's short-sightedness ultimately led him to
burst into an "exceedingly great and bitter cry."
Darka Shel Torah, 1994
Kahane on the Parsha can be
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Please continue your prayers for
Rivka bat Talya the 20-year old daughter of Binyamin and Talya Kahane, may G-d avenge
their blood.
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