Parshat Toldot:

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Parshat Toldot
Yitzchaks Blessing of Yaakov and Esav
Shiur by Menachem Leibtag
Presentation by Ronni Libson
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Sefer Breishit Bechira Hashem promises Avraham
numerous times that his offspring ("zera") would
become a great nation in a special land
("aretz")
Nation is to emerge only from Yitzchak
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Hashem makes this promise to Yitzchak
2 Possibilities
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No apparent reason for Yitzchak to assume that
only one son is to be chosen and the other
rejected
Yitzchak Yishmael Different mothers
Yaakov Esav Same mother
Twins!

If one son is chosen Gods choice, not
Yitzchaks

If both sons are chosen, why does Yitzchak intend
to bless only one of them?
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Two types of blessings
Bracha
Bechira

• Hashems blessing of zera varetz to the Avot
• Chosen to become forefathers of Hashems special
  nation
• One son is chosen, all other children rejected

• Blessing of personal destiny given by a father
  to his sons
• Examples
• Noach blesses (or curses) each son based on his
  potential.
• Yaakov Avinu, prior to his death, blesses each of
  his twelve sons

• When will this process end?

Bestowed by the father
Bestowed by Hashem
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Yitzchaks blessing for Esav Bracha or Bechira?

• No reason for Yitzchak to choose only one son

• Promises prosperity and leadership

• No mention of zera varetz

Bracha
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Yitzchaks assumption Both children will become
Gods nation
Need for political leadership
Yitzchak must appoint one of his sons to be the
family leader

• Esav Most suitable candidate
• Ish sadeh a man of the world
• Yaakov Esav are over sixty years old, Esav is
  married with children, has a job, and can take of
  himself and others while Yaakov is still single,
  and 'living at home.'

Yaakov Spiritual leadership
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Rivka knows something that Yitzchak does not
Whether the blessing Yitzchak is going to give
is bechira or bracha, the results would be
disastrous
Rivka must act on this prophecy
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The Aftermath
Yaakov gets bracha of leadership intended for Esav
Esav comes and wants a bracha
But leadership can only be granted to one son!
There is no other bracha for Esav, since he is
not suited for the bracha of spirituality
intended for Yaakov
Gives Esav the bracha of prosperity - something
that can be shared by both brothers. The
blessing of political leadership (hevei gvir
lachich) can only be given to one son thus
Yitzchak tells Esav that he will be able to
obtain this blessing only should Yaakov fall
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After the entire episode, Yitzchak finds out the
truth.
Blessing to Yaakov before he leaves to Padan Aram
in search of a wife
Bechira