Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/245

 227

The Birthright Better

is

the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.

Far too often we pride ourselves on vain things and boast

We

of trivial achievements.

are prone to judge by begin-

We

nings and promises rather than by ends and results. parade the accomplishments of children and prophesy great

and

for them;

things

head

the child's

it

often happens in consequence that

turned, and his

is

We

development by injudicious praise. success,

and

fail to realize

ing for greater things, their

full

it

is

make much

are

ever

in

of early

only a part of our train-

when our powers

We

growth.

that

powers are checked

shall

ready

to

have reached measure our

strength and our achievements with those of our superiors And we loudly proclaim that this in experience and wisdom. is

young man, and do not

the age of the

see that thereby

death warrant, and condemn ourselves to we middle and old age of decreasing useinglorious and a long

our

seal

fulness

we

own

and wisdom, and increasing burden upon

society.

The story of Jacob should indeed give us pause. Were of to judge the patriarch by these first two incidents

even by some which follow, we should condemn him unqualifiedly as a villain and a scourge to society. But and youth all life is not measured by the years of childhood and inclinations early by only alone, nor is it to be judged

his life, or

A

true worth can not be ascertained until done, or left its complete course is run, and its full work is well lived, was life undone. Then alone may we say, "This

promises.

life's

was not this one brought blessing to mankind, and The world is better this one was a burden and a curse. And even for this one's having lived, and worse for that". and

this

though



we

start

wrong, as Jacob, and the

evil

nature, the

seems, must triumph, none the less it is possible, with wisdom, courage, and strength of will, and with God's help, to purge ourselves of the evil inclination, and become true servants of the Lord, worthy

voice of earth within us,

it