BREAD AND LENTILS COME BACK AROUND

“Ya’akov (Jacob) approached Yitz’chak his father, who touched him and said, ‘The voice is Ya’akov’s voice, but the hands are Esav’s hands.’”
Genesis 27:22

In Genesis 25:29-34, we read the account of Esav coming in from the field, famished, and asking Ya’akov for a bowl of stew. Ya’akov agreed to this desire, but not without a catch. In a trade for bread and lentils, Esav sold his birthright which he showed little value for anyway. It is here in today’s section of the Torah that we find this birthright come up again.
As Yitz’chak grew old his eye sight began to fade. In addition to his eye sight fading, Yitz’chak was also concerned that he may pass away soon. It was for this reason that he called Esav to him, wanting to bless him before he passed. With the charge to bring him some game in exchange for what would be his final blessing, Esav went into the country. Hiding just far enough away, though, was Rivkah. Quickly she found Ya’akov and announced to him that his father was going to pronounce a blessing on Esav. She wanted this blessing to fall on Ya’akov instead, so she told him to go into the flock and retrieve two choice kids.
Coming back, Rivkah cooked the lamb and gave it to Ya’akov to serve to his father. But because his father had trouble with his eye sight, he seemed to rely on other senses. Touch and smell would be the two used for this specific meeting. When Ya’akov spoke, Yitz’chak heard Ya’akov. When Yitz’chak smelled his son, and felt his arms, he figured it was indeed Esav.
Who would have thought that a bowl of lentils could bring someone down? Who would have suspected that the rights as a first born son would so easily be given up? And yet don’t we do the same with sin? For the fee of giving into sin we in essence give up our birthright. Adonai, forgive me for the times I have given in so easily for what I know will not last.

Genesis 26:30 – 27:27