GENEALOGY

“This is the genealogy of Esav (that is Edom).”
Genesis 36:1

I must admit that when I first read this final portion of the Parashah, Vayishlach, I thought to myself, it is just a list of names. It is when I read this portion with the help of a few aids, though, that I found deeper things. Allow me to share with you a little behind the scenes action concerning this portion.
In Esav’s attempt to make a family line that would receive blessing, failure was found. The lasting dynasty that was dreamed of came to an end because of sin. Incest is said to have been a normal issue on Esav’s side as we even see that Tziv’on was not only the father of Anah (Gen 36:24), but also the brother of Anah (Gen 36:20). It is also stated in history that it was Tziv’on who crossbred the horse and donkey, creating a mule, which Adonai considered an illegitimate creature.
Perhaps the greatest known name in this line is the name Amalek (Gen 36:12). It would be the tribe of Amalek, the Amalekites, who showed no fear toward Adonai. In Exodus 17, it was this tribe that even came against Isra’el but was defeated as Moshe held up his hands. In the end, Adonai declared that the memory of Amalek would be blotted out (Ex 17:14).
Let us not be like the line of Esav. Although it was Ya’akov who was born the deceiver, it was Esav in the end whose family line strayed away from Adonai. May it never be said of us that our sin also paved the way for the destruction and blotted memory of so many.

Genesis 36:20-43