Toldot


We have conflicting views on Esau and Jacob.  In this week’s parasha the difference could not be more apparent.  As the father Jacob laid ill, the Torah states, “Then Rebecca took the best clothes of her older son Esau, which were in the house, and had her younger son Jacob put them on.” -Genesis 27:15


Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, in the Talmud, commented, “All my life I attended upon my father yet I did not do for him even 100th of the goodness that Esau did for his father.” 

What Rabbi Shimon was referring to was the fact that whenever Esau waited upon his father, he put on finest clothes.  Midrash Rabbah agrees with Rabbi Shimon and declares, “Esau only wore royal robes in that was worthy of being in the presence of his father.”


There is good reason why honoring your parents is a part of the Ten Commandments when there so many other compelling commandments.  Respect for one's parents is a necessary component for societal composure, for life to take on greater inter-generational meaning. Esau was highly respectful of his father even if he had other personality flaws.


Why would the Torah go to such lengths to talk about his exemplary behavior when in so many other ways Esau was wicked? Perhaps to teach us but there was no one who is completely wicked or righteous. We are all a mix of both good and bad and should attempt to see the good in everyone.

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