Is the First Always First - Part 2 - Parshat Toledot

In last week's blog we discussed Yishmael acting in a responsible manner in abdicating his role as Firstborn in Yitzchak's favor. He behaved courageously and admirably.

Yet not all changes in status appear to occur so smoothly and quietly.

Esav was born first. During a cursory reading of Bereishit we find little problem with Esav's behavior. He seems, in this week's parsha, Parshat Toledot, to talk nicely with his father and fulfill his command and yet is seemingly unjustifiably cheated out of his blessing by Yaakov. Why does this happen to him? Is it fair? He may be a bit misguided but relatively decent. Or is something else more subtle going on here?

Chaza"l on a regular basis brilliantly pay attention to those little phrases that make all the difference in our understanding of the Torah and it is not an exception here. Rashi, together with many of his contemporaries, point out Esav's reaction to his selling of the birthright. After having sold it for a bowl of soup, the Torah adds "and Esav rejected the birthright."1 This should have been the end of it. Later, however, we see that Esav bore ill-will towards Yaakov. When in fact Yaakov dressed as Esav and was blessed in his stead, Esav remembers this and complains about Yaakov's behavior, taking no responsibility for his own part in the transaction. He never searched for Yaakov in order to renege on the sale. He continued to reject the birthright - and concurrently he continued to harbor ill-will as though his own part in it he could not see. His transfer/waiver of the birthright was done impulsively and without honor.

How do we make decisions? Are they always responsible ones? Are they sometimes impulsive or on a strictly emotional or strictly cognitive level? If we feel we are making the wrong decision do we take responsibility for it or pass it off as 'fate', 'destiny' or 'bad luck'?2

We are not making any judgments on the decider here, just recognizing what process WE use in making decisions…and if we stand behind those decisions even if they turn out to be not so beneficial to us (and as humans that happens).

The ability to choose is ours. The responsibility behind the ramifications of such a choice is ours. Let us use it wisely and proudly.

 Click here to read another logoParsha post on Toledot.

Notes

  1. Bereishit 25:34
  2. Choice with responsibility is a central theme in the logotherapy of Viktor Frankl.

 

Have A Great Shabbat!laughing

For More Information On Logotherapy And How You Can Create A Fuller, More Meaningful Life, Or To Book An Online Session,

  1. Call Me At +972-54-589-3399, or in Israel 054-5893399
  2. Contact Me Thru My Site