JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

The Blessings of the First Born

Verses:

Verse 1: "Vayihi Chi Zakein Yitzchak Vatich'hena einav Meir'os..."
"And it was when Isaac became old and his eyes became weak from seeing..."

Verse 3: "V'tze hasadeh v'tzuda li tzayid"
"And go out to the field and hunt game for me."

Verse 9: "Lech na el hatzon v'kach li misham shnai gedayai izim tovim v'e-eseh otam matamim..."
"Go please to the sheep and take for me from there two choice goats and I will make them into delicacies as your father likes."

Verse 25: "Hakol kol Yaakov v'hayadayim y'dei Esav"
"And he said, "The voice was the voice of Jacob and the hands are the hands of Esau."

Verse 36: "Vaya'kiveini zeh fa'amayim, et bichorati lakach viheenei atah lakah beerchati"
Twice he has outwitted me. He has taken away my birthright and now he has taken away my blessing.

Overview of the Biblical Text:

Isaac had become old and blind. At the same time, Esau was continuing with his wicked ways. He was an idol worshipper who snatched women from their husbands, murdered and robbed. He was evil in all ways except for one-- Esau excelled in the Mitzvah of Kibud Av/ Honoring one's father. Because he sought his father's approval, Esau deceived his father into believing that he was righteous. Esau was able to deceive his father because his father was unable to see all of the evil things that he was doing.

Isaac was now approaching the age at which his father had passed away. At this time, he felt it would be appropriate to transfer the blessings that his father Abraham had given him to his first-born. Isaac was unaware of that Esau had sold the birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew.

And so Isaac summoned Esau and requested of him to hunt some game from which to prepare a tasty meal. After eating, Isaac would then bless him. Rebecca overheard this exchange and knew that Jacob was the son truly deserving and entitled to these blessings. She quickly devised a plan and called Jacob to her.

Once again, Rebecca's awe of Isaac is apparent. She was unable to defy him outright but she knew that his judgment in this situation was incorrect. Rebecca felt justified in taking matters into her own hands. She quickly instructed Jacob to bring her two choice goats which she would prepare in a way that would appeal to Isaac. Jacob would bring these to Isaac in order to receive the blessings. To complete the ruse, she dressed Jacob in hairy skins so that if Isaac would touch him, he would feel hairy like his brother Esau.

As soon as the food was prepared, Jacob hurried to bring it to Isaac. Jacob's manner of speech as he approached his father was polite and respectful. Esau, by nature, spoke roughly, Isaac was confused-- He requested that Jacob step forward so that he could touch him to make sure that he was indeed Esau. In spite of his doubts, Isaac blessed Jacob with the blessings of the first born. These included:

living in fertile land with sufficient rainfall
having other nations serve him
a curse for those who curse him
a blessing for those who bless him.

At the conclusion of the blessings, Jacob left the room. The chamber in which Isaac sat had two entrances and as Jacob left through one, Esau entered through the other. He too came bearing a meal for his father Isaac. His manner of speech was coarse: "Eat and give me a blessing." Suddenly Isaac realized that he had made a mistake. He explained to Esau that he had already given the blessing of the first born to Jacob, his brother. Esau became furious and exclaimed, "Twice he has outwitted me. He has taken away my birthright and now he has taken away my blessing."

When Isaac heard this, he was comforted. For the owner of the birthright was surely entitled to these blessings. Esau, however, was still in anguish and requested at least some sort of blessing from Isaac. And so Isaac blessed him as well with the following blessing: "You too shall live in fertile land and be blessed with sufficient rainfall. At times, when your brother is deficient in his service to G-D and in his observance of the Torah, you will have power to dominate him."

Esau was satisfied with the blessing, but his anger at Jacob boiled within in. Rebecca understood that Esau wanted to kill Jacob and suggested that Jacob flee to her homeland to stay with her brother Laban until Esau's wrath subsides.

Discussion Questions/Activity Ideas:

Blind Awareness Activities- This story mentions that Isaac was blind in his old age. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss blindness with students and to discuss how people see in different ways.

When he was an old man, Isaac couldn't see with his eyes. What are some other ways that a blind person can see? (touch, smell, sound, taste)
Have students take turns wearing blindfolds in the classroom and to make observations of the room by using their other senses. Have each student guide a blindfolded partner around the classroom or in the playground and then have each student switch roles with his/her partner.
Blindfold students and have them try to identify classmates (by listening to their voices, etc.)