Unraveling Esau: A Deeper Look at the Birthright Story

Esau stands out as one of the pivotal figures in the Book of Genesis. The rugged, red-headed hunter marks a stark contrast to his gentle brother. While Jacob is a quiet man dwelling in tents, immersed in Torah study in the tents of Shem and Eber, Esau is the man of the field, a hunter, diverging from his father's path. He spills blood, whereas his father is the true successor of Abraham our forefather.

Our first glimpse into Esau's nature comes with the sale of the birthright. Exhausted from the fields, Esau returns home to find Jacob cooking a lentil stew. Famished, Esau asks Jacob for some of the stew. Jacob, however, declines unless Esau sells his birthright to him. Commentators note that Esau inquired about the birthright's meaning, and Jacob explained that it involves serving before Hashem, and consequently, comes with additional obligations. For instance, a priest cannot serve when intoxicated or disheveled. Uninterested in these responsibilities, Esau responds, "Look, I am about to die, so what use is the birthright to me?" Exegetes explain that Esau feared he could not fulfill the priestly duties due to his lowly status and would therefore be liable to death. Hence, "Esau despised the birthright," because, in his eyes, it equated to death and nothing more.

The birthright sale teaches us that Esau didn't want religious responsibilities, quite the opposite, he desired as few as possible. This raises a significant question: after all, the blessings Isaac bestowed upon Jacob entailed continuing Abraham's path, described as "be a lord over your brothers." Such a blessing carries numerous obligations, essentially the birthright he scorned — serving Hashem in holiness above all nations. So why does Esau suddenly want the birthright? He should prefer his father's eventual blessing, "your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven," promising a bountiful and rich land, like Italy and Europe.

To truly understand Esau, we must grasp the distinction between Jacob and Esau. Jacob's name derives from "עקב," or heel, signifying his persistent stride toward his goal. This consistent strength enabled him to toil for fourteen years for Rachel. Contrastingly, Esau's name suggests completeness, as he seemed ready-made. In fact, commentators say Esau was born with teeth and hair.

In truth, Esau does desire the birthright and the priesthood, genuinely subscribing to his father's beliefs. He believes in one God, that God desires something from us, and that He communicates those desires. Nevertheless, he lacks his brother's consistent resolve to journey all the way to the goal. Esau wishes to be good and holy, but many commandments intimidate him. He wants to be complete, without undergoing the slow growth process. However, he does not wish to experience the process.

Thus, when Esau perceives that he's missing the essence of existence—serving Hashem and being distinct from other nations—Esau's noble spirit cries out. After all, he is Isaac's son and Abraham's grandson, possessing a lofty soul and knowledge of the truth, unable to relinquish it at crucial moments.

Even today, we can observe Esau's traits within Christianity. The Talmud notes that Rome is Edom, Esau's heir. Edom embraced Christianity, which accepts Judaism's principles that God has conveyed moral imperatives to humanity. But Christianity differs by lacking the strength for Judaism's demanding commandments and gradual growth, opting instead for a state of completeness. Hence in Christianity, the Messiah has already arrived, and commandments are unnecessary. They concur on principles, but can't undertake the journey.

Yet Jacob, unlike Esau, has the endurance to persist through Judaism's lengthy journey and gradual growth. And we, Jacob's descendants, have demonstrated this capacity. Despite challenges and the long road, we press on without fear, continuing our journey toward redemption.