Birthright Bartering (Genesis 25:32 )
Question
Genesis 25:32 And Esav said, Behold,I am at the point to die: and what “profit” shall this “birthright” bring me? Why did Esav hate Yaaqov? Esav willing forfeited his first born blessing for lentils.
Genesis 25:34 Then Ya aqov gave Esav bread and cottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink,and rose up and went his way: thus Esav “despised” his birthright.
Did Esav intend to keep his vow to his brother? If so, why was Esav angered when Yaaqov received the promised blessing? Would this oath between the brothers been binding in Isaac eyes?
Yaaqov wore a rough hairy garment to deceive. This raises the question of the legitimacy of the vow according to Torah law.
Answers
The Rabbis explain that when Esau heard that Yaakov had been given his blessing, he was genuinely upset. He knew that he had “sold” it for a pot of lentils, but at the time he thought that it was worthless. Only after he began understanding the enormity of what he had done was he overcome with remorse. Of course, at that point it was too late.
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