Jacob’s first move is to obtain the birthright from his older brother, Esau. “Birthright,” we gather from the bible generally, included the right of the firstborn to an extra portion in ...

Jacob was born holding on to Esau’s heel. He bought Esau’s birthright. He stole Esau’s blessing. When his blind father asked him who he was, he replied, “I am Esau, your firstborn ...

In Memory of David Schwartz who fell in battle in Gaza on 27 Tevet, 5784 (8 January 2024). First published on the occasion of his marriage to Meital Gitler, David’s unique Torah thoughts that ...

First, the set up. Jacob has been gone from Canaan for 20 years. He left Canaan in fear, after tricking his father Isaac to appropriate the birthright from his brother Esau. After being deprived ...

17:9). Born holding Esau’s heel, Jacob is defined by his relationship to others, a theme that continues as he acquires Esau’s birthright and blessing through manipulation. Esau, dismissed in ...

Esau selling his birthright to Jacob, by Matthias Stom, 1640s (credit: PUBLIC DOMAIN) Jacob flees to his uncle Laban’s home, where he encounters more conflict; he is on his way home when he ...