In Parshat Toldot, we read of the battles between Eisav and Yaakov, first in the womb of their soon to be mother Rivka,then over the birthright of the firstborn, and ultimately in Yaakov's taking the berachos intended for Eisav.
The story in the parsha raises several questions:
1. Can one really acquire a birthright? What does it mean to 'buy' one?
2. Is Yaakov, portrayed in our history as the ultimate good guy, such a manipulative self serving guy that he wouldn't share a simple bowl of soup with his hungry brother unless his brother sold him his birthright? And for a measly bowl of soup?
3. Is Eisav an idiot? Who sells an asset with so much value attached to it for a bowl of soup?
4. After Yaakov came to his father in trickery andobtained the beracho Yitzchak was going to give to his brother Eisav and Eisav followed, whats the big deal? Why couldn't Yitzchak give Eisav the beracho he was going to give in the first instance? So what if he gave the beracho to Yaakov already?
A little context:
When Yaakov was cooking the lentils and Eisav happened upon him, our sages say that their grandfather Avraham died and Yaakov was preparing a meal of mourning. So picture the scene: Yaakov, the soft-spoken studious homebody is
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