This Lelamed Dvar is also available in your local App Store (iTunes and
Android). I hope you enjoy and share this Dvar from Rabbi Michalowicz...
In this week's Parsha, Toldot, we are told of Esav selling his birthright
to Yakov in exchange for a bowl of beans. The Medrash says that on that day
Esav also committed murder, denied G-d's existence, denied the
resurrection, and belittled the birthright. Why does the Torah only mention
the belittlement of the birthright, if Esav also did all these other
horrible things? Also, in this story Yakov seems to be a schemer. His
brother comes in from the field, starving and tired, asking for food, and
the first thing Yakov does is bargains with Esav in his moment of weakness?
The Rabbis answer both these questions: The Torah is not just a history
book, it is an instruction manual for living. Knowing all the horrible
things Esav did doesn't teach us the way that we're supposed to live.
However, the Torah does tell us that the root of all the sins Esav
committed was that he belittled his birthright, and therefore his history,
his place in history, and his responsibility. Conversely, Yakov's actions
prove that he did understand and appreciate his role and responsibility,
and acted like he had a part of G-d/royalty inside him. In stark contrast,
Esav's perspective that he will die anyway, and therefore his birthright
was meaningless, shows his lack of understanding his intrinsic value and
self worth, and repudiated the greatness and dignity within him.
There is nothing more important than understanding one's worth and
significance. We are all royalty, we are all destined for greatness, our
behavior should reflect those higher moral expectations, and this positive
reflection should be clear to our children. We can accomplish this by
constantly reminding them of how special they are, in so many ways and for
so many reasons.
Shlomo Ressler
Quotation of the week (thanks to Debbie):
"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of it's troubles, It empties today of
it's strength."
This Lelamed Dvar is also available in your local App Store (iTunes and
Android). I hope you enjoy and share this Dvar from Rabbi Michalowicz...
_______________________________________________
In this week's Parsha, Toldot, we are told of Esav selling his birthright
to Yakov in exchange for a bowl of beans. The Medrash says that on that day
Esav also committed murder, denied G-d's existence, denied the
resurrection, and belittled the birthright. Why does the Torah only mention
the belittlement of the birthright, if Esav also did all these other
horrible things? Also, in this story Yakov seems to be a schemer. His
brother comes in from the field, starving and tired, asking for food, and
the first thing Yakov does is bargains with Esav in his moment of weakness?
The Rabbis answer both these questions: The Torah is not just a history
book, it is an instruction manual for living. Knowing all the horrible
things Esav did doesn't teach us the way that we're supposed to live.
However, the Torah does tell us that the root of all the sins Esav
committed was that he belittled his birthright, and therefore his history,
his place in history, and his responsibility. Conversely, Yakov's actions
prove that he did understand and appreciate his role and responsibility,
and acted like he had a part of G-d/royalty inside him. In stark contrast,
Esav's perspective that he will die anyway, and therefore his birthright
was meaningless, shows his lack of understanding his intrinsic value and
self worth, and repudiated the greatness and dignity within him.
There is nothing more important than understanding one's worth and
significance. We are all royalty, we are all destined for greatness, our
behavior should reflect those higher moral expectations, and this positive
reflection should be clear to our children. We can accomplish this by
constantly reminding them of how special they are, in so many ways and for
so many reasons.
Shlomo Ressler
_______________________________________________
Quotation of the week (thanks to Debbie):
"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of it's troubles, It empties today of
it's strength."
