Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/253

Rh A

FatJicr's Blessing

235

and suffering which the knowledge of the strife of his two sons would otherw^ise cause. The dramatic ])athos of Esau's cry, when he returns from the chase, and the quiet satisfaction of having found the food his father loves, and being able to satisfy the old man's craving, and to receive his blessing is changed to dismay when he learns that his brother has treacherously supplanted him, "Hast thou but grief

one blessing,

my

father?

me,

bless

even

me

also,

O my

most obtuse reader. Our least, is with Esau, and not

father", can not escape even the

sympathy, for the moment

at

with Jacob.

As has been in

purposely represented Esau

said, the rabbis

worst possible

the

light,

guilty

as

of

every conceivable

crime, partly to justify Jacob, and partly because to

them power of hated Rome. Nevertheless they were compelled to show him a certain measure of justice. And so, they told that although Esau broke every other commandment, this one, "Honor thy father", he kept most piously. He was ever kind and considerate of Isaac, and thought chiefly of his comfort and happiness. He brought him always the best portions of the animals which he killed in hunting, and prepared them always just as he knew his father liked them best. Moreover, the rabbis told that the reason why Rebekah gave Jacob Esau's garments to wear, was not merely to help deceive Isaac, but because Esau was accustomed, whenever he brought food to his father and w^aited upon him, to show his respect by putting on his finest raiment. For he said to himself, *'In my eyes my father is a king, and it would become me ill to serve him other than as I would serve a king, with my very best". Such was the honor and love of Esau

Esau

typified

for his

father.

descendants this

the dread, oppressive

And

the rabbis

much hardship and

one good

told

that

God spared

his

suffering as the reward for

act.

This, too, bids us realize that no one

is

wdioUy bad



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