Before explaining this seeming lack of a sufficient portrayal of Yacov and Eisav, we must know the meaning of these terms. Yonason ben Uziel explains that "yosheiv oholim" means that Yacov constantly sought Torah and that "ish yodeah tsayid, ish sodeh" means that Eisav was idle. Although these words do not provide us with a portrait of the many accomplishments of Yacov and the deficient actions of Eisav, they are a window into their very core.

Rabbi Yeruchom Levovitz zt"l, the mashgiach of the Mirrer Yeshiva, expounds this idea in the following manner. By informing us that Yacov constantly sought Torah, the Torah is relaying to us the cause of Yacov's actions. Yacov's constant search for knowledge of Torah was the cause for the outstanding way of life that Yacov lived.

Eisav, on the other hand, did not evolve into a rasha (evil one) because he chose the life of a hunter. His travels down the "wrong path" are a result of his idleness. Not only was Eisav not interested in acquiring Torah knowledge, he explicitly sought out a life of emptiness. Hunting and physical desires were not the root of Eisav's evil. His nature of "hangin' around" was the source of Eisav's delinquent actions.

When one is confronted with a problem in his personal way of life, Reb Yeruchom advises that he should always search for the source which caused it. If one has not aspired to G-dliness and spiritual growth, then the "proper path" definitely has become blurred, eventually leading him on to the "wrong path."

This particular blessing that Yitzchok bestowed upon Yacov does not appear to be unique to Yacov. It seems that Eisav received the exact same blessing, as the Torah states, "So Yitzchok his father answered, and said (to Eisav), 'Behold, of the fatness of the earth shall be your dwelling and of the dew of the heavens from above' " (Toldos 27, 39). Why would Yitzchok bless Yacov and Eisav with the same brocho?

The Chofetz Chaim explains that although both blessings deal with physical abundance, the manner in which the blessings will be granted, differ greatly. By mentioning "the dew of the heavens" before "the fatness of the earth" in the blessing of Yacov, Yitzchok is expressing that the blessing for physical abundance is contingent on proper spiritual behavior. Therefore, Yacov and his descendants will only be granted the blessing of material wealth if they properly serve Hashem. Failure to adhere to Hashem's commandments will result in Yacov's blessing of wealth not being fulfilled.

On the other hand, the blessing for physical wealth that Yitzchok gave Eisav is in reverse order, since it mentions "the fatness of the earth" prior to "the dew of the heavens." This indicates that Eisav's blessing for physical wealth is not dependent on his service to Hashem. Eisav and his descendants will be blessed with material success regardless of whether they will comply with Hashem's dictates.

However, it is difficult to understand why Yitzchok made material success contingent upon the fulfillment of the spiritual, since Yitzchok, at that moment, thought that he was actually blessing Eisav?

Yitzchok thought that if Eisav would be rewarded with physical wealth for proper service of Hashem, it would provide the impetus for Eisav to travel the "proper path" and fulfill his potential. This is consistent with the Rishonim who are of the opinion that Yitzchok's desire to give Eisav the blessing was borne out of hope that Eisav would do teshuva. Yitzchok knew that Eisav's potential to reach higher levels in spirituality were within his power, and Yitzchok wanted to explore all avenues in assisting Eisav to reach that goal.

However, once Yitzchok realized that Eisav would not become the person that he had hoped for and envisioned, Yitzchok altered the blessing for Eisav. He no longer conditioned that the physical be based on the spiritual, since he knew quite well that Eisav would never be able to fulfill this condition.

TABLE TALK

THE DILEMMA
(What is permitted to do in this situation?)

Yisroel has a thirty-minute bus ride home and gets very hungry during the ride. Is it permissible for Yisroel to take some of these snacks for the bus ride home?

Would your answer be different if Yisroel only had a five minute walk to his home?

(Consult your Rav for a proper halachic ruling)

Last week's clues and answer: A switch sometimes is fine; I am the original forty-niner; My name is a lie; I am proof that family does matter - Lavan

Congratulations to Mr. Jeff Bookman, Rabbi Avrohom Matitia and Mr. Harvey Schabes

TORAH RIDDLE

Which food grows in plant form or on a tree requires the recital of the brocha of shehakol?

(Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue)

Last week's question and answer: Did Hashem rain down on Sodom and Gomorrah anything else besides sulfur and fire? Yes, salt.

Congratulations to Rabbi Yacov Sanders

THE KOLLEL FAMILY

MAZEL TOV

-Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Stoll on the engagement of their son, Sender
-Rabbi and Mrs. Naphtali Burnstein on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Mordechai

CONDOLENCES

-Rabbi Yochanon Greenwald on the passing of his mother

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

*Beachwood: Contact Rabbi Katz 360-9153

*The Huntington-Green Apts.:
-Rabbi Nadoff's group: Mr. David Keller
14352 Cedar Rd.

-Rabbi Levi's group: Rabbi Benyomin Levi
2200 Milton Rd.

-Rabbi Newman's group: Contact Rabbi Newman
381-4497

*University Hts: Contact Rabbi Charlop 291-8981

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