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Take it or leave it
This week's Parsha, Toldos, teaches us a lesson in how we need to relate to opportunities of responsibility. To appreciate this insight it is necessary to first introduce the notion of the bechorah, the elevated position of the first-born, also referred to as the birthright.
The first child born to a woman has within him an elevated level of spirituality that his counterparts who were not born first to their mother are lacking. Naturally, the position of bechorah comes with added responsibilities that other people do not have. This is very similar to the elevated spiritual position of a Kohein over a non-Kohein. The Kohein is the only individual who can serve in the Temple. The Kohein is the only individual who may eat certain sacrifices and who may eat certain gifts that were presented at the Temple. Certain foods that the Torah refers to as belonging to HaShem may be eaten by the Kohein because they are eating from His table, while other members of the Jewish people may not partake in those foods.
At the same time, the Kohein has several restrictions. He may not come in contact with the body of dead person. The choice of women who he may marry is limited due to his elevated position. In general he has to carry himself in a more dignified manner in keeping the position of Kohein on the level it deserves.
Let us now begin our Parsha. Our Parsha presents us the story of Yaakov and Eisov.
Yaakov and Eisov were twins born to our father Yizchok and our mother Rivka. Eisov was born first and was followed by Yaakov who came out with his hand grabbing the heel of Eisov. Yaakov was closely attached to the world of spirituality and intellect, while Eisov was closely attached to the physical material world. In one episode when the twins were 15 years old their grandfather, Avrohom, passed away. Yaakov was home mourning over the loss of his dear grandfather while Eisov was out in the fields hunting. When Eisov returned home tired and hungry he saw that Yaakov had prepared a lentil soup. (Lentil soup was a dish that was eaten by mourners.) When Eisov saw the lentil soup he ordered Yaakov "pour that red stuff down my throat". Yaakov who was already accustomed to the vulgarity of Eisov saw in this moment the opportunity to gain the coveted position of the bechora, the birthright.
In response to Eisov Yaakov told him that if you are willing to sell me your position of the birthright I will gladly give you your red stuff. Eisov answers Yaakov "Look, I am going to die, so of what use to me is this birthright." Yaakov closed the deal and the birthright was sold to Yaakov for a bowl of lentil soup.
The Torah finishes that episode by telling us that Eisov spurned the birthright.
In being fair to Eisov it would be correct to argue that Eisov acted responsibly by selling the birthright. Eisov appreciated the holiness of the birthright and recognized his own shortcoming of being so connected to the materiel world. It was out of respect to the birthright that he sold it to Yaakov. He recognized that Yaakov was more suitable to wear the mantle of the birthright than he. Why then does the Torah judge Eisov in saying that Eisov spurned the birthright? The contrary would seem to be the case. Eisov paid tribute to the birthright by selling it to a person as respectable as Yaakov instead of keeping it for himself.
If the Torah considers Eisov's act of selling the birthright as an act of spurning the birthright we can draw the following lesson.
From time to time we are presented with opportunities to serve the community in some capacity or other. Invariably, these opportunities come with responsibilities for which we often feel encumbered. Out of deference to the position we so often decline taking the position. "After all, this position requires a person of much higher moral standing than me."
While we may think that this is the responsible decision, the Torah is teaching in this week's Parsha that such an attitude is spurning the position. The correct approach is to take the position and to rise to the level that is required for that position. If HaShem places a position of responsibility in front me and is telling me that this position is meant for me it is a snub for me to reject that position on grounds that I am not worthy of the position.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
