"Behold I am going to die, so why do I need the birthright?" [Bereshhet 25:30]
The sale of the "firstborn rights" by Esav to Yaakob is one of the most
significant transactions in history. Not only did Yaakob purchase the
rights to the double portion in his father's estate, more importantly, he
acquired the rights to do the holy service in the Temple. One of the
glaring questions about this transaction is the reaction of Esav to
Yaakob's offer to buy the option to be the holy attendants in G-d's house.
You might expect that with so much at stake and with Yaakob's ridiculously
low offer of a bowl of lentil soup that Esav would laugh off Yaakob's first
offer and begin a long negotiation for the valuable asset, which he owned.
Esav instead replies, "I am going to die. What use to me is a birthright
that gives me spiritual benefit?"
Our sages teach that Esav was extremely tired from a day of mischief. His
misdeeds included 5 of the most serious transgressions a man can do
including abduction of another man's wife and murder. He also was a little
depressed because the soup that Yaakob was preparing was lentil soup, the
soup prepared for mourners, as it was the day that the twins holy
grandfather Abraham Abinu A "H died "If even the great Tsadeek, my
grandfather is dead, then certainly I will also go the way of all flesh,"
thought Esav to himself.
The thought of death was unbearable. Esav's reaction was live for today.
Enjoy what you can while you still can. The pleasures of this world must be
grabbed before life comes to an end. It gave him a sense of hopelessness
and despair so strong that he was willing to sell his spiritual eternity
for a bowl of "now".
In Pirke Abot our Sages teach that a person should repent one day before
one dies. Obviously, no one knows when that day will arrive. The intent of
our wise teachers is that a person should reflect on one's actions and
repent daily. A sense of sobriety is required for spiritual success. But
that seriousness has a limit. One must be careful not to allow reflection
and sobriety to become depression and despair.
In today's climate everyone is a little nervous and some are actually very
frightened about the prospects of violence, chemical and biological
warfare, and the unknown. These possibilities, unfortunately, have become
part of our daily lives. What is important, however, is not what can happen
and what steps we take to prevent them from happening. What is crucial is
that we take the positive rather than the negative road going forward. One
must use the fear and the air of uncertainty and say, "One must repent one
day before one dies." There is a big difference between the person who when
confronted with danger and fear says," pour me a stiff drink' and the
person who feels the same way but reaches for his or her Tehillim [Psalms]
and begins to pray for divine assistance. Hashem constantly tests the faith
of his people and the times we live in are certainly testing the fabric of
everyone's belief in the just, kind nature of our maker Let's all
consolidate our strength, work together on our Emunah and show Hashem just
how much trust and faith we have in His true, just conduct of our world.
DIDYOU KNOW THAT
One is not permitted to carry an object in the public domain 4 cubits
[approx 6-8 feet] on Shabbat. It is also forbidden to transfer an object
from the public domain to the private domain or vice versa. One should not
go out with a jacket worn over one's shoulders without the arms in the
sleeves since this is not the normal way to wear a jacket and it is
considered carrying. It is better not to wear gloves on Shabbat for fear
one may remove them and carry them in the public domain. Someone who has
gum or food in his or her mouth is not permitted to walk 4 cubits in the
public domain. [Source Yalkut Yosef Vol 4, Siman 301:1,19,23,28]
SHABBAT INSIGHT
The Tifereth HaKodesh says that one who sanctifies oneself in his or her
weekday activities finds it easier to accept the holiness of Shabbat. He
compares it to one who was in a totally dark room who suddenly goes out
into bright light. The person cannot enjoy the beauty and the benefit of
the light because of the stark contrast between his dark existence previous
to his exposure to the beautiful light. Similarly, a person who is dirty
with the impurity of one's sins during the weekdays has difficulty enjoying
the spiritual beauty and pleasure of the holy Shabbat. A person should, he
suggests, concentrate on pure thoughts, avoid forbidden speech and
immorality during the week so as to prepare oneself to enjoy the true
beauty of Shabbat.[ Sefer Tifereth Hakodesh page 9b]
