Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/255

Rh A

Father s Blessing

237

enough, and since they needed the stone, they doubled their offer.

When

they offered

this did not still

induce

Dama

to

change

his

mind,

more, even ten thousand gold pieces, but

So they left the shop. Later in the day, howand renewed their oft'er of ten thousand Without a word Dama went into the inner gold pieces. room, brought out the stone and handed it to the chief of the elders. "Here is the stone", he said "you may have it for your first offer of one thousand gold pieces". Unable to explain this strange conduct the elders asked what he meant. He answered, "When I went this morning to get the stone, I saw that my father was asleep with his foot upon the box in which the stone was. He is old and needs his sleep, and I would not disturb him for ten times the amount you offered. Now he is awake, so here is the stone". The wise elders, struck by this reply, urged him to take the ten thousand gold pieces, which they had offered. But he refused; for he said, "I w^as satisfied with the first price, and will not make any profit from my love for my father". So the elders paid one thousand gold pieces and took the stone. But first they laid their hands in blessing upon his head. "For surely", they said, "the son who all

in vain.

ever, they returned



honors his father thus, merits God's choicest blessing". the rabbis taught, did

When we with Esau's,

Esau

also

honor

his

So,

father.

contrast Jacob's conduct in this one instance

we can

not but recall the beautiful words of

the Psalmist:

Who

shall ascend into the

mountain of the Lord?

And who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart;

Who

hath not taken

My name

in vain,

And hath not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from And righteousness from the God

the Lord,

of his salvation.

Jacob had deceived his father and gained

his

blessing. \n