Multiple Births

Jacob was so named because he held on to the heels of Esau as he was being born. But, the word heel associated with Jacob also symbolizes the trait of humility. In addition, the yud, the first letter of Jacob’s name, the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, reinforces the .theme of humility possessed by Jacob.

Sextuplets!

Septuplets are in the news today. The birth of the seven McCaughey babies has sparked a lively controversy about the ethics of fertility drugs and other issues.

This event is not the first time the world was abuzz with excitement and consternation over multiple births. True, in the story to which we are referring, there were not seven, but two, that were born, but their personalities and destinies proved more exciting and momentous than a dozen births.

Two Destinies: Light and Might

We are speaking of the birth of the twin brothers Jacob and Esau, discussed in this week’s parsha. Rebecca goes through a most difficult pregnancy and is told by prophets that she is carrying twins. These twins, she is informed, will one day become rival powers that will be at each other’s throats until the end of time. These twins represent two distinct ideals; two distinct paths and two distinct destinies.

Jacob personifies the pursuit of light, Esau the quest for might.

Jacob devotes his early life to “dwelling in tents” of Torah study, as our sages tell us, preparing himself for his future involvement in the mundane world. His Torah study ensures that he remains impervious to the negative influences of the outside world.

Esau, conversely, spurns the future rewards associated with the birthright because of his need to satisfy his craving for food; for instant gratification.

Jacob is the one whose outer strength and courage belied his inner gentleness and purity. This is symbolized in Jacob getting “dressed up” as Esau so that he can get the blessings from his father Isaac that had been intended for his brother Esau. When Isaac heard him speak after feeling his hairy arms, he exclaimed, “The hands are the hands of Esau, but the voice is the voice of Jacob.” Externally, Jacob sometimes had to appear rugged and strong, but his core was always pure and refined.

Esau, conversely, was a violent, rebellious person, who covered up his evil ways with sweet talk and hypocritical pious questions. (The Talmud tells us that, to impress his father, he would ask how – in addition to tithing agricultural produce – one tithes salt. This super-pious question was meant merely to cover up his truly vile and hideous nature.)

Jacob was the progenitor of the Jewish nation, who is chosen to bring the peace to the world through the light of Torah; whereas Esau, the ancestor of Rome, symbolizes the desire for world conquest and domination.

Jacob, the ancestor of the entire Jewish nation, stands for a mission to lead the world to the Messianic Age, when the world will be filled with the glory of G-d, whereas Esau is the symbol of the forces of exile that seek to prevent the Messianic Age.

Heel versus Complete

Jacob was so named because he held on to the heels of Esau as he was being born. But, the word heel associated with Jacob also symbolizes the trait of humility. In addition, the yud, the first letter of Jacob’s name, the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, reinforces the .theme of humility possessed by Jacob..

Esau on the other hand means, “complete.” He was so named because when he was born he was fully developed with his hair. Figuratively, it implies that he did not consider himself in need of any change or improvement, because he was “complete.”

Jacob and Esau thus represent the opposite values of: humility and arrogance; righteousness and evil; violence and peace, exile and Redemption.

These were a unique set of twins. There could not have been people as diametrically opposite as these two brothers.

But as in the McCaughey case, there will be a happy ending to the twin saga as well.

The Rapprochement

The Jewish prophets have predicted the rapprochement between Jacob and Esau of old. Ultimately, even the Esau’s of the world, will come around to respecting the Jewish people. Indeed, in our time, we have witnessed the collapse of the “Soviet Union,” the modern era’s’ most powerful and tyrannical empire. Esau, in fact, is also identified as Edomred, the color that is associated with the former communist regime.

All of the recent geo-political changes that have occurred mostly in Europe are clear indications that just as the initial prophecies have already come true, so too will we soon see the fulfillment of the concluding prophecies: the genuine and complete Redemption, through our righteous Moshiach. Then, indeed, will the saga of the multiple births end on a happy note.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Toldos by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.