Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

This aliyah opens by detailing the generations of Yitzchak Avinu and the deep, persistent tefillos of Yitzchak and Rivkah Imeinu as they davened for children. After twenty years of waiting, Hashem answers their tefillos, leading to the miraculous pregnancy of Rivkah and the dramatic birth of the twins, Eisav and Yaakov. Even before they are born, their contrasting spiritual natures begin to show, prompting Rivkah to seek divine guidance through prophecy.

As the boys grow into adulthood, their striking differences become fully clear. While Yaakov spends his time in the tents of Torah, Eisav becomes a hunter and a man of the field. The aliyah concludes with Eisav selling his birthright to Yaakov for a bowl of lentil stew, despising the sacred service, followed by Yitzchak moving to Gerar during a famine, where Hashem commands him not to leave Eretz Yisrael and promises to bless him in the merit of Avraham Avinu.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וְאֵלֶּהAnd these areתּוֹלְדֹתthe generations ofיִצְחָקYitzchakבֶּןson ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאַבְרָהָםAvrahamהוֹלִידbegotאֶת—יִצְחָק׃Yitzchak

רַשִׁ״י

ואלהAnd theseתולדותare the offspring ofיצחק.YitzchakיַעֲקֹבYaakovוְעֵשָׂוand Eisavהָאֲמוּרִיםwho are spoken ofבַּפָּרָשָׁה:in the parsha

רַשִׁ״י

אברהםAvrahamהולידbegatאת—יצחק.Yitzchakעַלonיְדֵיaccount ofשֶׁכָּתַבthat wroteהַכָּתוּבthe verseיִצְחָקYitzchakבֶּןson ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamהֻזְקַקit was neededלוֹמַרto sayאַבְרָהָםAvrahamהוֹלִידbegatאֶת—יִצְחָק;Yitzchakלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthat wereלֵיצָנֵיcynics ofהַדּוֹרthe generationאוֹמְרִיםsayingמֵאֲבִימֶלֶךְfrom Avimelechנִתְעַבְּרָהbecame pregnantשָׂרָה,Sarahשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdכַּמָּהhow manyשָׁנִיםyearsשָׁהֲתָהshe stayedעִםwithאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְלֹאand notנִתְעַבְּרָהshe became pregnantהֵימֶנּוּ;from himמֶהwhatעָשָׂהdidהַקָּבָּ"ה?the Holy One Blessed Be Heצָרformedקְלַסְתֵּרfeatures ofפָּנָיוhis faceשֶׁלofיִצְחָקYitzchakדּוֹמֶהsimilarלְאַבְרָהָם,to Avrahamוְהֵעִידוּand testifiedהַכֹּלeveryoneאַבְרָהָםAvrahamהוֹלִידbegatאֶת—יִצְחָק,Yitzchakוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁכָּתוּבthat is writtenכָּאןhereיִצְחָקYitzchakבֶּןson ofאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdעֵדוּתevidenceיֵשׁthere isשֶׁאַבְרָהָםthat Avrahamהוֹלִידbegatאֶת—יִצְחָק:Yitzchak

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיְהִיAnd wasיִצְחָקYitzchakבֶּןa son ofאַרְבָּעִיםfortyשָׁנָהyearsבְּקַחְתּוֹwhen his takingאֶת—רִבְקָהRivkahבַּתdaughter ofבְּתוּאֵלBetuelהָאֲרַמִּיthe Arameanמִפַּדַּןfrom PaddanאֲרָםAramאֲחוֹתsister ofלָבָןLavanהָאֲרַמִּיthe Arameanלוֹto himלְאִשָּׁה׃for a wife

רַשִׁ״י

בןSon ofארבעיםfortyשנה.yearsשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdכְּשֶׁבָּאwhen cameאַבְרָהָםAvrahamמֵהַרfrom MountהַמּוֹרִיָּהMoriahנִתְבַּשֵּׂרhe received newsשֶׁנּוֹלְדָהthat was bornרִבְקָה,Rivkahוְיִצְחָקand Yitzchakהָיָהwasבֶּןage ofל"זthirty sevenשָׁנָה,yearsשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdבּוֹin thatבַּפֶּרֶקtimeמֵתָהdiedשָׂרָה,Sarahוּמִשֶּׁנּוֹלַדand from when bornיִצְחָקYitzchakעַדuntilהָעֲקֵדָהthe Bindingשֶׁמֵּתָהwhen diedשָׂרָה,Sarahל"זthirty sevenשָׁנָהyearsהָיוּthere were–כִּיforבַּתdaughter ofצ'ninetyהָיְתָהshe wasכְּשֶׁנּוֹלַדwhen was bornיִצְחָק,Yitzchakוּבַתand daughter ofקכ"זone hundred twenty sevenכְּשֶׁמֵּתָהwhen she died–שֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוַיִּהְיוּand wereחַיֵּיthe life ofשָׂרָהSarahוְגוֹ'etc.הֲרֵיbeholdלְיִצְחָקto Yitzchakל"זthirty sevenשָׁנִים,yearsוּבוֹand in thatבַפֶּרֶקtimeנוֹלְדָהwas bornרִבְקָה;Rivkahהִמְתִּיןhe waitedלָהּfor herעַדuntilשֶׁתְּהֵאthat she would beרְאוּיָהfitלְבִיאָהfor marriageג'threeשָׁנִיםyearsוּנְשָׂאָהּ:and married her

רַשִׁ״י

בתdaughter ofבתואלBetuelמפדןfrom PadanארםAramאחותsister ofלבן.Lavanוְכִיand is itעֲדַיִןstillלֹאnotנִכְתַּבwrittenשֶׁהִיאthat she wasבַּתdaughter ofבְּתוּאֵלBetuelוַאֲחוֹתand sister ofלָבָןLavanוּמִפַּדַּןand from Padanאֲרָם?Aramאֶלָּאratherלְהַגִּידto tellשִׁבְחָהּ,her praiseשֶׁהָיְתָהthat she wasבַּתdaughter ofרָשָׁעa wicked manוַאֲחוֹתand sister ofרָשָׁעa wicked manוּמְקוֹמָהּand her placeאַנְשֵׁיmen ofרֶשַׁעwickednessוְלֹאand did notלָמְדָהlearnמִמַּעֲשֵׂיהֶם:from their deeds

רַשִׁ״י

מפדןFrom Padanארם.Aramעַלonשֵׁםaccountשֶׁשְּׁנֵיthat twoאֲרָםAramsהָיוּ,there wereאֲרַםAramנַהֲרַיִםNaharaimוַאֲרַםand Aramצוֹבָה,Tzovahקוֹרֵאit callsאוֹתוֹitפַּדָּן,Padanלְשׁוֹןan expression ofצֶמֶדa pair ofבָּקָר,cattleתַּרְגּוּםits Targumפַּדָּןa Padanתּוֹרִין;of oxenוְיֵשׁand there areפּוֹתְרִיןwho explainפַּדַּןPadanאֲרָםAramכְּמוֹlikeשְׂדֵהthe field ofאֲרָם,Aramשֶׁבִּלְשׁוֹןfor in the language ofיִשְׁמָעֵאלIshmaelקוֹרִיןthey callלְשָׂדֶהa fieldפַדַּן:Padan

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֶּעְתַּרAnd Isaac pleadedיִצְחָקIsaacלַיהוָהto HASHEMלְנֹכַחoppositeאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeכִּיbecauseעֲקָרָהbarrenהִואshe wasוַיֵּעָתֶרand was entreatedלוֹto himיְהוָהHASHEMוַתַּהַרand conceivedרִבְקָהRivkahאִשְׁתּוֹ׃his wife

רַשִׁ״י

ויעתר.And Isaac entreatedהִרְבָּהHe multipliedוְהִפְצִירand urgedבִּתְפִלָּה:in prayer

רַשִׁ״י

ויעתרAnd He was entreatedלו.of himנִתְפַּצֵּרHe was urgedוְנִתְפַּיֵּסand was conciliatedוְנִתְפַּתָּהand was influencedלוֹ.by himוְאוֹמֵרand sayאֲנִי,Iכָּלeveryלְשׁוֹןexpression ofעֶתֶרעתרלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofהַפְצָרָהurgencyוְרִבּוּיand abundanceהוּא,itוְכֵןand likewiseוַעֲתַרand a thickעֲנַןcloud ofהַקְּטֹרֶתthe incenseיחז'Yechezkelח'8–מַרְבִּיתan abundance ofעֲלִיַּתthe ascent ofהֶעָשָׁן,the smokeוְכֵןand likewiseוְהַעְתַּרְתֶּםand you multipliedעָלַיagainst Meדִּבְרֵיכֶםyour wordsשםthereל"ה35,וְכֵןand likewiseוְנַעְתָּרוֹתand importunateנְשִׁיקוֹתare the kisses ofשׂוֹנֵאan enemyמשליMishleiכ"ז27–דּוֹמוֹתthey appearלִמְרֻבּוֹתas excessiveוְהִנָּםand they areלְמַשָּׂא;a burdenאנקרי"שראencresserבלע"ז:in Old French

רַשִׁ״י

לנכחFacingאשתו.his wifeזֶהThis oneעוֹמֵדstandsבְּזָוִיתin a cornerזוֹthisוּמִתְפַּלֵּלand praysוְזוֹand this oneעוֹמֶדֶתstandsבְּזָוִיתin a cornerזוֹthisוּמִתְפַּלֶּלֶת:and prays

רַשִׁ״י

ויעתרAnd He was entreatedלו.of himלוֹof himוְלֹאand notלָהּ,of herשֶׁאֵיןfor there is noדּוֹמָהcomparisonתְפִלַּתprayer ofצַדִּיקa righteous personבֶּןson ofצַדִּיקa righteous personלִתְפִלַּתto the prayer ofצַדִּיקa righteous personבֶּןson ofרָשָׁע,a wicked personלְפִיכָךְthereforeלוֹof himוְלֹאand notלָהּof herיבמותYevamosס"ד64a:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּAnd struggledהַבָּנִיםthe childrenבְּקִרְבָּהּwithin herוַתֹּאמֶרand she saidאִםifכֵּןsoלָמָּהwhyזֶּהthisאָנֹכִיam Iוַתֵּלֶךְand she wentלִדְרֹשׁto inquire ofאֶת—יְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

ויתרוצצו.And they struggledעַ"כָּon this accountהַמִּקְרָאthe verseהַזֶּהthisאוֹמֵרsaysדָּרְשֵׁנִי,expound meשֶׁסָּתַםfor it hidמַהwhatהִיאwasרְצִיצָהstrugglingזוֹthisוְכָתַבand wroteאִםifכֵּןsoלָמָּהwhyזֶּהis thisאָנֹכִי?IרַבּוֹתֵינוּOur Rabbisדְּרָשׁוּהוּexpounded itלְשׁוֹןan expression ofרִיצָה;runningכְּשֶׁהָיְתָהwhen she wasעוֹבֶרֶתpassingעַלbyפִּתְחֵיthe entrances ofתּוֹרָהTorahשֶׁלofשֵׁםShemוָעֵבֶרand EverיַעֲקֹבYaakovרָץwould runוּמְפַרְכֵּסand kickלָצֵאת,to go outעוֹבֶרֶתpassingעַלbyפֶּתַחthe entrance ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofאֱלִילִים,idolsעֵשָׂוEsavמְפַרְכֵּסwould kickלָצֵאת.to go outדָּבָרanotherאַחֵרexplanationמִתְרוֹצְצִיםthey struggledזֶהthis oneעִםwithזֶהthis oneוּמְרִיבִיםand quarrelledבְּנַחֲלַתover the inheritance ofשְׁנֵיtwoעוֹלָמוֹת.worlds

רַשִׁ״י

ותאמרAnd she saidאםifכן.soגָּדוֹלgreat isצַעַרthe pain ofהָעִבּוּר.the pregnancy

רַשִׁ״י

למהwhyזהis thisאנכי.that Iמִתְאַוָּהwas longingוּמִתְפַּלֶּלֶתand prayingעַלforהֵרָיוֹן:pregnancy

רַשִׁ״י

ותלךand she wentלדרוש.to inquireלְבֵיתto the house ofמִדְרָשׁוֹstudy ofשֶׁלofשֵׁם:Shem

רַשִׁ״י

לדרושto inquire ofאת—ה'.Hashemשֶׁיַּגִּידthat He tellלָהּherמַהwhatתְּהֵאwill beבְּסוֹפָהּ:in her end

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemלָהּto herשְׁנֵיTwoגייםnationsגוֹיִםnationsבְּבִטְנֵךְare in your wombוּשְׁנֵיand twoלְאֻמִּיםpeoplesמִמֵּעַיִךְfrom your bodyיִפָּרֵדוּshall separateוּלְאֹםand one nationמִלְאֹםover another nationיֶאֱמָץshall be mightierוְרַבand the olderיַעֲבֹדshall serveצָעִיר׃the younger

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרAnd He saidה'Hashemלה.to herעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofשָׁלִיחַ;a messengerלְשֵׁםto Shemנֶאֱמַרit was saidבְּרוּחַwith the Spiritהַקֹּדֶשׁof Holinessוְהוּאand heאָמַרsaidלָהּto herבראשיתBereshisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

שניTwoגויםnationsבבטנך.in your wombגייםexalted onesכְּתִיב;it is writtenאֵלּוּthese areאַנְטוֹנִינוּסAntoninusוְרַבִּי,and Rabbiשֶׁלֹּאthat did notפָסְקוּceaseמֵעַלfrom uponשֻׁלְחָנָםtheir tableלֹאneitherצְנוֹןradishוְלֹאnorחֲזֶרֶתlettuceלֹאnotבִימוֹתin the days ofהַחַמָּהthe summerוְלֹאand notבִימוֹתin the days ofהַגְּשָׁמִיםthe rainsעבודהAvodahזרהZarahי"א11a:

רַשִׁ״י

ושניAnd twoלאמים.racesאֵיןthere is noלְאֹםraceאֶלָּאexceptמַלְכוּת:a kingdom

רַשִׁ״י

ממעיךfrom your bowelsיפרדו.shall be partedמִןfromהַמֵּעַיִםthe bowelsהֵםtheyנִפְרָדִיםare separatedזֶהthis oneלְרִשְׁעוֹto his wickednessוְזֶהand this oneלְתֻמּוֹ:to his innocence

רַשִׁ״י

מלאםand nationיאמץ.than nation shall-be-strongerלֹאnotיִשְׁווּthey-will-be-equalבִּגְדֻלָּה,in-greatnessכְּשֶׁזֶּהwhen-this-oneקָםrisesזֶהthis-oneנוֹפֵל,fallsוְכֵןand-soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysאִמָּלְאָהI-shall-be-filledהָחֳרָבָהfrom-the-ruined-oneיחזקאלYechezkelכ"ו26,לֹאnotנִתְמַלְּאָהwas-filledצוֹרTzorאֶלָּאexceptמֵחֻרְבָּנָהּfrom-the-ruinשֶׁלofיְרוּשָׁלַיִם:Yerushalayim

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיִּמְלְאוּand were fulfilledיָמֶיהָher daysלָלֶדֶתto give birthוְהִנֵּהand beholdתוֹמִםtwinsבְּבִטְנָהּ׃in her womb

רַשִׁ״י

וימלאוAnd were fullימיה.her daysאֲבָלbutבְּתָמָרwith Tamarכְּתִיבit is writtenוַיְהִיand it wasבְּעֵתat the timeלִדְתָּהּof her bearingבראשיתBereshitל״ח:כ״ז38,שֶׁלֹּא27מָלְאוּthat notיָמֶיהָ,were fullכִּיher daysלְז'becauseחֳדָשִׁיםat sevenיְלָדָתַם:months

רַשִׁ״י

והנהand beholdתומם.twinsחָסֵר,defectiveוּבְתָמָרand by Tamarתְּאוֹמִיםtwinsמָלֵא,fullלְפִיbecauseשֶׁשְּׁנֵיהֶםthat both of themצַדִּיקִים;righteousאֲבָלbutכָּאןhereאֶחָדoneצַדִּיקrighteousוְאֶחָדand oneרָשָׁע:wicked

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיֵּצֵאAnd came outהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstאַדְמוֹנִיredכֻּלּוֹall of himכְּאַדֶּרֶתlike a mantle ofשֵׂעָרhairוַיִּקְרְאוּand they calledשְׁמוֹhis nameעֵשָׂו׃Esav

רַשִׁ״י

אדמוני.redסִימָןa signהוּאit isשֶׁיְּהֵאthat he would beשׁוֹפֵךְa shedder ofדָּמִיםbloodבראשיתBereshitרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

כלוall of himכאדרתlike a cloak ofשער.hairמָלֵאfull ofשֵׂעָרhairכְּטַלִּיתlike a garmentשֶׁלofצֶמֶרwoolהַמְלֵאָהthat is full ofשֵׂעָר,hairפלוקי"דאfloccosבלע"ז:in foreign tongue

רַשִׁ״י

ויקראוand they calledשמוhis nameעשו.Esauהַכֹּלeveryoneקָרְאוּcalledלוֹhimכֵן,soלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasנַעֲשֶׂהmadeוְנִגְמָרand developedבִּשְׂעָרוֹwith his hairכְבֶןlike one ofשָׁנִיםyearsהַרְבֵּה:many

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְאַחֲרֵיand afterכֵןsoיָצָאcame outאָחִיוhis brotherוְיָדוֹand his handאֹחֶזֶתwas holdingבַּעֲקֵבon the heel ofעֵשָׂוEsavוַיִּקְרָאand He calledשְׁמוֹhis nameיַעֲקֹבYaakovוְיִצְחָקand Yitzchakבֶּןwas a son ofשִׁשִּׁיםsixtyשָׁנָהyearsבְּלֶדֶתwhen giving birth toאֹתָם׃them

רַשִׁ״י

ואחריAnd afterכןsoיצאcame outאחיוhis brotherוגו'.etc.שָׁמַעְתִּיI heardמִ"אַfromהַדּוֹרְשׁוֹAggadahלְפִיthat expounds itפְּשׁוּטוֹ,according toבְּדִיןits plain meaningהָיָהwith justiceאוֹחֵזhe wasבּוֹholdingלְעַכְּבוֹ,onto himיַעֲקֹבto restrain himנוֹצַרYaakovמִטִּפָּהwas formedרִאשׁוֹנָהfrom a dropוְעֵשָׂוfirstמִןand Esavהַשְּׁנִיָּה;fromצֵאthe secondוּלְמַדGoמִשְּׁפוֹפֶרֶתand learnשֶׁפִּיהָfrom a tubeקְצָרָה,whose mouthתֵּןis narrowלָהּputשְׁתֵּיinto itאֲבָנִיםtwoזוֹstonesאַחַרthis oneזוֹafter–הַנִּכְנֶסֶתthis oneרִאשׁוֹנָהthe one enteringתֵּצֵאfirstאַחֲרוֹנָהwill come outוְהַנִּכְנֶסֶתlastאַחֲרוֹנָהand the one enteringתֵּצֵאlastרִאשׁוֹנָה;will come outנִמְצָאfirstעֵשָׂוit turns outהַנּוֹצָרEsavבָּאַחֲרוֹנָהwho was formedיָצָאat the lastרִאשׁוֹןcame outוְיַעֲקֹבfirstשֶׁנּוֹצַרand Yaakovרִאשׁוֹנָהwho was formedיָצָאfirstאַחֲרוֹן,came outוְיַעֲקֹבlastבָּאand Yaakovלְעַכְּבוֹ,cameשֶׁיְּהֵאto restrain himרִאשׁוֹןso that he beלְלֵדָהfirstכְּרִאשׁוֹןfor birthלִיצִירָה,as firstוְיִפְטֹרfor formationאֶתand openרַחְמָהּ—וְיִטֹּלher wombאֶתand takeהַבְּכוֹרָה—מִןthe birthrightהַדִּין:from

רַשִׁ״י

בעקבOn the heel ofעשו.EsavסִימָןA signשֶׁאֵיןthat notזֶהthis oneמַסְפִּיקhas timeלִגְמֹרto finishמַלְכוּתוֹhis reignעַדuntilשֶׁזֶּהthat this oneעוֹמֵדarisesוְנוֹטְלָהּand takes itהֵימֶנּוּ:from him

רַשִׁ״י

ויקראAnd He calledשמוhis nameיעקב.Yaakovהַקָּבָּ"ה;the Holy One blessed be Heדָּ"אַanother explanationאָבִיוhis fatherקָרָאcalledלוֹhimיַעֲקֹבYaakovעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofאֲחִיזַתthe grasping ofהֶעָקֵב:the heel

רַשִׁ״י

בןson ofששיםsixtyשנה.yearsי'tenשָׁנִיםyearsמִשֶּׁנְּשָׂאָהּfrom when married herעַדuntilשֶׁנַּעֲשֵׂיתthat she becameבַּתdaughter ofי"גthirteenשָׁנָהyearsוּרְאוּיָהand fitלְהֵרָיוֹן,for pregnancyוְי'and tenשָׁנִיםyearsהַלָּלוּtheseצָפָהhe lookedוְהִִמְתִּיןand waitedלָהּ,for herכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁעָשָׂהthat didאָבִיוhis fatherלְשָׂרָה;for Sarahכֵּיוָןsinceשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִתְעַבְּרָה,she became pregnantיָדַעhe knewשֶׁהִיאthat sheעֲקָרָה,is barrenוְהִתְפַּלֵּלand he prayedעָלֶיהָfor herיבמותYevamosס"ד64a,וְשִׁפְחָהand a maidservantלֹאnotרָצָהdid he wantלִשָּׂא,to marryלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנִּתְקַדֵּשׁthat he was sanctifiedבְּהַרon the mountain ofהַמּוֹרִיָּהMoriahלִהְיוֹתto beעוֹלָהa burnt-offeringתְמִימָה:unblemished

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיִּגְדְּלוּAnd grewהַנְּעָרִיםthe youthsוַיְהִיand becameעֵשָׂוEsavאִישׁa manיֹדֵעַknowledgeable inצַיִדhuntingאִישׁa man ofשָׂדֶהthe fieldוְיַעֲקֹבand Yaakovאִישׁa manתָּםwholesomeיֹשֵׁבdwelling inאֹהָלִים׃tents

רַשִׁ״י

ויגדלוand they grew…ויהיand wasעשו.Esavכָּלallזְמַןtimeשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereקְטַנִּים,youngלֹאnotהָיוּthey wereנִכָּרִיםdistinguishedבְּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם,by their deedsוְאֵיןand noאָדָםmanמְדַקְדֵּקscrutinizedבָּהֶםthemמַהwhatטִּיבָם;their natureכֵּיוָןsinceשֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּthey becameבְנֵיsons ofשְׁלשׁthreeעֶשְׂרֵהtenשָׁנָה,yearsזֶהthis oneפֵּרֵשׁseparatedלְבָתֵּיto houses ofמִדְרָשׁוֹתstudyוְזֶהand this oneפֵּרֵשׁseparatedלַעֲ"זָ:to idol worship

רַשִׁ״י

ידעunderstandingציד.huntingלָצוּדto entrapוּלְרַמּוֹתand to deceiveאֶת—אָבִיוhis fatherבְּפִיוwith his mouthוְשׁוֹאֲלוֹand asking himאַבָּא,Fatherהַאֵיךְhowמְעַשְּׂרִיןdoes one titheאֶת—הַמֶּלַחthe saltוְאֶתand —הַתֶּבֶן?the strawכַּסָּבוּרreckoningאָבִיוhis fatherשֶׁהוּאthat heמְדַקְדֵּקis meticulousבְּמִצְוֹתin mitzvosתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

אישa man ofשדה.the fieldכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ,according to its meaningאָדָםa manבָּטֵלidleוְצוֹדֶהand huntingבְקַשְׁתּוֹwith his bowחַיּוֹתbeastsוְעוֹפוֹת:and birds

רַשִׁ״י

תם.plainאֵינוֹhe is notבָקִיexpertבְכָלin allאֵלֶּה,theseכְּלִבּוֹlike his heartכֵּןsoפִּיו,his mouthמִיoneשֶׁאֵינוֹwho is notחָרִיףingeniousלְרַמּוֹתto deceiveקָרוּיis calledתָּם:plain

רַשִׁ״י

ישבdwelling inאהלים.tentsאָהֳלוֹthe tent ofשֶׁל·שֵׁםShemוְאָהֳלוֹand the tent ofשֶׁל·עֵבֶר:Eber

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיֶּאֱהַבAnd lovedיִצְחָקYitzchakאֶת—עֵשָׂוEsavכִּיbecauseצַיִדgameבְּפִיוwas in his mouthוְרִבְקָהand Rivkahאֹהֶבֶתlovedאֶת—יַעֲקֹב׃Yaakov

רַשִׁ״י

בפיו.In his mouthכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹas its Targumבְּפִיוin the mouthשֶׁלofיִצְחָק.Yitzchakוּמִדְרָשׁוֹand its Midrashic explanationבְּפִיוin the mouthשֶׁלofעֵשָׂו,Esavשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasצָדtrappingאוֹתוֹhimוּמְרַמֵּהוּand deceiving himבִדְבָרָיו:with his words

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיָּזֶדAnd cookedיַעֲקֹבYaakovנָזִידa stewוַיָּבֹאand cameעֵשָׂוEsavמִןfromהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldוְהוּאand heעָיֵף׃was exhausted

רַשִׁ״י

ויזד.And Jacob cookedלְשׁוֹןan expression ofבִּשּׁוּל,boilingכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:as its Targum

רַשִׁ״י

והואand heעיף.was faintבִּרְצִיחָה,through murderכְּמָהlike thatדְּתֵימָאwhich you sayכִּיforעָיְפָהis faintנַפְשִׁיmy soulלְהֹרְגִיםbefore murderersירמיהוYirmeyahuד'4בראשיתBereshitרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidעֵשָׂוEsavאֶלtoיַעֲקֹבYaakovהַלְעִיטֵנִיfeed meנָאpleaseמִןfromהָאָדֹםthe redהָאָדֹםthe redהַזֶּהthisכִּיforעָיֵףfaintאָנֹכִיI amעַלthereforeכֵּן·קָרָאhe calledשְׁמוֹhis nameאֱדוֹם׃Edom

רַשִׁ״י

הלעיטני.pour into meאֶפְתַּחI will openפִּיmy mouthוּשְׁפֹךְand pourהַרְבֵּהmuchלְתוֹכָהּ,into itכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁשָּׁנִינוּthat we learnedאֵיןone may notאוֹבְסִיןfattenאֶת—הַגָּמָלthe camelאֲבָלbutמַלְעִיטִיןone may stuffאוֹתוֹ:it

רַשִׁ״י

מןfromהאדםthe redהאדם.the redעֲדָשִׁיםlentilsאֲדֻמּוֹת,redוְאוֹתוֹand thatהַיּוֹםdayמֵתdiedאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamשֶׁלֹּאso that notיִרְאֶהhe would seeאֶת—עֵשָׂוEsavבֶּןson ofבְּנוֹhis sonיוֹצֵאgoing outלְתַרְבּוּתto cultureרָעָה,badוְאֵיןand is notזוֹthisשֵׂיבָהold ageטוֹבָהgoodשֶׁהִבְטִיחוֹthat promised himהַקָּבָּ"ה;the Holy One blessed be Heלְפִיכָךְthereforeקִצֵּרshortenedהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heה'fiveשָׁנִיםyearsמִשְּׁנוֹתָיו,from his yearsשֶׁיִּצְחָקthat Yitzchakחַיlivedק"פone hundred eightyשָׁנָהyearsוְזֶהand this oneקע"ה,one hundred seventy fiveוּבִשֵּׁלand cookedיַעֲקֹבYaakovעֲדָשִׁיםlentilsלְהַבְרוֹתto provide a meal forאֶת—הָאָבֵל.the mournerוְלָמָּהand whyעֲדָשִׁים?lentilsשֶׁדּוֹמוֹתbecause they resembleלְגַלְגַּל,to a wheelשֶׁהָאֲבֵלוּתbecause mourningגַּלְגַּלis a wheelהַחוֹזֵרthat turnsבָּעוֹלָםin the worldוְעוֹדand furthermoreמָהwhatעֲדָשִׁיםlentilsאֵיןdo not haveלָהֶםto themפֶּה,a mouthכָּךְsoהָאָבֵלthe mournerאֵיןdoes not haveלוֹto himפֶה,a mouthשֶׁאָסוּרfor it is forbiddenלְדַבֵּר,to speakוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeהַמִּנְהָגthe custom isלְהַבְרוֹתto provide a meal forהָאָבֵלthe mournerבִּתְחִלַּתat the beginning ofמַאֲכָלוֹhis foodבֵּיצִים,eggsשֶׁהֵםbecause they areעֲגֻלִּיםroundוְאֵיןand do not haveלָהֶםto themפֶּה,a mouthכָּךְsoאָבֵלa mournerאֵיןdoes not haveלוֹto himפֶה,a mouthכִּדְאָמְרִינַןas we sayבְּמוֹעֵדin MoedקָטָןKatanמועדMoedקטןKatanכא:21bאָבֵלa mournerכָּלall ofשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeיָמִיםdaysהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe firstאֵינוֹdoes notמֵשִׁיבrespondשָׁלוֹםgreetingלְכָלto anyאָדָםpersonוְכָ"שֶׁand all the more soשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notשׁוֹאֵלgreetבַּתְּחִלָּה,initiallyמִג'from threeוְעַדand untilז'sevenמֵשִׁיבhe respondsוְאֵינוֹand does notשׁוֹאֵלgreetוְכוּ';etc.בְּרַשִׁ"יin Rashiיָשָׁןold:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd Yaakov saidיַעֲקֹבYaakovמִכְרָהsellכַיּוֹםas this dayאֶת—בְּכֹרָתְךָyour birthrightלִי׃to me

רַשִׁ״י

מכרהsellכיום.this dayכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹas its translationכְּיוֹםlike a dayדִּלְהֵן,of thisכַּיּוֹםjust as the dayשֶׁהוּאthat it isבָרוּר,certainכָךְsoמְכֹרsellלִיto meמְכִירָהa saleבְרוּרָה:certain

רַשִׁ״י

בכרתך.Your birthrightלְפִיsinceשֶׁהָעֲבוֹדָהthat the serviceבַּבְּכוֹרוֹת,was in the firstbornאָמַרsaidיַעֲקֹבYaakovאֵיןis notרָשָׁעwicked manזֶהthisכְדַאיworthyשֶׁיַּקְרִיבthat he sacrificeלְהַקָּבָּ"ה:to the Holy One blessed be He

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidעֵשָׂוEsavהִנֵּהbeholdאָנֹכִיI amהוֹלֵךְgoingלָמוּתto dieוְלָמָּהand whyזֶּהthisלִיto meבְּכֹרָה׃birthright

רַשִׁ״י

הנהBeholdאנכיI amהולךgoingלמות.to dieמִתְנוֹדֶדֶתunstableוְהוֹלֶכֶתand goingהִיאit isהַבְּכוֹרָהthe birthrightשֶׁלֹּאfor notתְהֵאwill beכָלallעֵתtimeהָעֲבוֹדָהthe serviceבַּבְּכוֹרוֹת,in the firstbornsכִּיforשֵׁבֶטthe tribe ofלֵוִיLeviיִטֹּלwill takeאוֹתָהּ,itוְעוֹדand furthermoreאָמַרsaidעֵשָׂו:Esavמַהwhat isטִּיבָהּthe natureשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדָהserviceזוֹ?thisאָמַרsaidלוֹ:to himכַּמָּהhow manyאַזְהָרוֹתprohibitionsוָעֳנָשִׁיןand punishmentsוּמִיתוֹתand death penaltiesתְּלוּיִיןare dependentבָּהּon itכְּאוֹתָהּlike thatשֶׁשָּׁנִינוּ,which we learnedאֵלּוּtheseהֵןareשֶׁבְּמִיתָה:who are in deathשְׁתוּיֵיdrunk withיַיִןwineוּפְרוּעֵיand with unshornרֹאשׁ;headאָמַר:he saidאֲנִיIהוֹלֵךְam goingלָמוּתto dieעַלonיָדָהּ,account of itאִםifכֵּןsoמַהwhatחֵפֶץdesire isלִיto meבָהּ?in it

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיַעֲקֹבYaakovהִשָּׁבְעָהSwearלִּיto meכַּיּוֹםfirstוַיִּשָּׁבַעand he sworeלוֹto himוַיִּמְכֹּרand he soldאֶת—בְּכֹרָתוֹhis birthrightלְיַעֲקֹב׃to Yaakov

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְיַעֲקֹבand Yaakovנָתַןgaveלְעֵשָׂוto Esavלֶחֶםbreadוּנְזִידand stew ofעֲדָשִׁיםlentilsוַיֹּאכַלand he ateוַיֵּשְׁתְּand he drankוַיָּקָםand he aroseוַיֵּלַךְand he wentוַיִּבֶזand he despisedעֵשָׂוEsavאֶת—הַבְּכֹרָה׃the birthright

רַשִׁ״י

ויבזAnd Esau despisedעשו.Esauהֵעִידtestifiedהַכָּתוּבthe verseעַלaboutרִשְׁעוֹhis wickednessשֶׁבִּזָּהthat he despisedעֲבוֹדָתוֹthe service ofשֶׁלofמָקוֹם:the Omnipresent

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיְהִיAnd there wasרָעָבa famineבָּאָרֶץin the landמִלְּבַדbesidesהָרָעָבthe famineהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstאֲשֶׁרwhichהָיָהwasבִּימֵיin the days ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיֵּלֶךְand wentיִצְחָקYitzchakאֶלtoאֲבִימֶּלֶךְAvimelechמֶלֶךְking ofפְּלִשְׁתִּיםPhilistinesגְּרָרָה׃to Gerar

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיֵּרָאAnd appearedאֵלָיוto himיְהוָהHashemוַיֹּאמֶרand saidאַלdo notתֵּרֵדgo downמִצְרָיְמָהto Mitzrayimשְׁכֹןdwellבָּאָרֶץin the landאֲשֶׁרthatאֹמַרI will sayאֵלֶיךָ׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

אלdo notתרדgo downמצרימה.to Mitzrayimשֶׁהָיָהfor wasדַּעְתּוֹhis mindלָרֶדֶתto go downמִצְרַיְמָה,to Mitzrayimכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁיָּרַדwent downאָבִיוhis fatherבִּימֵיin the days ofהָרָעָב;the famineאָמַרHe saidלוֹ:to himאַלdo notתֵּרֵדgo downמִצְרָיְמָה,to Mitzrayimשֶׁאַתָּהfor you areעוֹלָהa burnt-offeringתְמִימָה,unblemishedוְאֵיןand is notחוּצָהoutsideלָאָרֶץthe Landכְּדַאיfittingלְךָ:for you

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

גּוּרdwellבָּאָרֶץin the landהַזֹּאתthisוְאֶהְיֶהand I will beעִמְּךָwith youוַאֲבָרְכֶךָּand I will bless youכִּיforלְךָto youוּלְזַרְעֲךָand to your offspringאֶתֵּןI will giveאֶת—כָּלallהָאֲרָצֹתthe landsהָאֵלtheseוַהֲקִמֹתִיand I will establishאֶת—הַשְּׁבֻעָהthe oathאֲשֶׁרthatנִשְׁבַּעְתִּיI sworeלְאַבְרָהָםto Avrahamאָבִיךָ׃your father

רַשִׁ״י

האל.The-lכְּמוֹis likeהָאֵלֶּה:these

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וְהִרְבֵּיתִיand I will multiplyאֶת—זַרְעֲךָyour offspringכְּכוֹכְבֵיlike the stars ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְנָתַתִּיand I will giveלְזַרְעֲךָto your offspringאֵת—כָּלallהָאֲרָצֹתthe landsהָאֵלtheseוְהִתְבָּרֲכוּand shall bless themselvesבְזַרְעֲךָin your offspringכֹּלallגּוֹיֵיthe nations ofהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

והתברכוAnd shall bless themselvesבזרעך.through your seedאָדָםA manאוֹמֵרsaysלִבְנוֹto his sonיְהֵאMay it beזַרְעֲךָyour seedכְּזַרְעוֹlike the seedשֶׁלofיִצְחָק,YitzchakוְכֵןAnd soבְּכָלin allהַמִּקְרָא,the Scriptureוְזֶהand thisאָבis the prototypeלְכֻלָּןfor all of themבְּךָBy youיְבָרֵךְshall blessיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלֵאמֹרsayingיְשִׂמְךָMay God make youוְגוֹ'etc.בראשיתBereishisמ״ח:כ׳48;וְאַף20לְעִנְיַןAnd evenהַקְּלָלָהregarding the matterמָצִינוּof the curseכֵןwe have foundוְהָיְתָהsoהָאִשָּׁהAnd shall becomeלְאָלָהthe womanבמדברfor a curseה'Bamidbar,שֶׁהַמְקַלֵּל5שׂוֹנְאוֹthat one who cursesאוֹמֵרhis enemyתְּהֵאsaysכִּפְלוֹנִית,May you beוְכֵןlike such-a-womanוְהִנַּחְתֶּםAnd soשִׁמְכֶםAnd you shall leaveלִשְׁבוּעָהyour nameלִבְחִירַיfor an oathישעיהוto My chosenס"הYeshayahu,שֶׁהַנִּשְׁבָּע65אוֹמֵרthat one who swearsאֱהֵאsaysכִפְלוֹנִיMay I beאִםlike such-a-personעָשִׂיתִיifכָּךְI have doneוְכָךְ:thus

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

עֵקֶבbecauseאֲשֶׁרthatשָׁמַעhearkenedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבְּקֹלִיto My voiceוַיִּשְׁמֹרand keptמִשְׁמַרְתִּיMy chargeמִצְוֺתַיMy commandmentsחֻקּוֹתַיMy statutesוְתוֹרֹתָי׃and My teachings

רַשִׁ״י

שמעhearkenedאברהםAvrahamבקולי.to My voiceכְּשֶׁנִּסִּיתִיwhen I testedאוֹתוֹ:him

רַשִׁ״י

וישמרAnd he keptמשמרתי.My chargeגְּזֵרוֹתdecreesלְהַרְחָקָהfor distancingעַלfromהָאַזְהָרוֹתthe warningsשֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה,that are in the Torahכְּגוֹןsuch asשְׁנִיּוֹתsecondary relativesלָעֲרָיוֹתto forbidden relationsוּשְׁבוּתand Rabbinic prohibitionsלַשַּׁבָּתfor ShabbosיבמותYevamosכ"א21a:

רַשִׁ״י

מצותי.My commandmentsדְּבָרִיםmattersשֶׁאִלּוּthat ifלֹאnotנִכְתְּבוּthey were writtenרְאוּיִןfittingהֵםthey areלְהִצְטַוּוֹת,to be commandedכְּגוֹןsuch asגֶּזֶלrobberyוּשְׁפִיכוּתand spilling ofדָּמִים:blood

רַשִׁ״י

חקותי.My ordinancesדְּבָרִיםmattersשֶׁיֵּצֶרthat the inclinationהָרָעevilוְאֻמּוֹתand the nations ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldמְשִׁיבִיןargueעֲלֵיהֶם,against themכְּגוֹןsuch asאֲכִילַתeating ofחֲזִירpigוּלְבִישַׁתand wearingשַׁעַטְנֵז,shatnezשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noטַעַםreasonבַּדָּבָר,in the matterאֶלָּאbutגְּזֵרַתthe decree ofהַמֶּלֶךְthe Kingוְחֻקּוֹתָיוand His enactmentsעַלuponעֲבָדָיו:His servants

רַשִׁ״י

ותורתי.and My lawsלְהָבִיאto includeתּוֹרָהthe Torahשֶׁבְּעַלthat is onפֶּהmouthהֲלָכָהa halachahלְמֹשֶׁהto Mosheמִסִּינַיfrom SinaiבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The first aliyah begins with the birth and early life of Yaakov and Eisav after years of tefillah by Yitzchak and Rivkah. It records the famous selling of the bechorah, where Eisav callously sells his spiritual rights to Yaakov for a pot of lentils, demonstrating his utter contempt for the holy work of the birthright. Finally, the aliyah transitions to Yitzchak's journey to Gerar during a famine, where Hashem instructs him to remain in the Holy Land, renewing the divine brachos and covenant originally given to Avraham.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

Look at the kasha that stands out in this aliyah: How could Esau sell something as holy as the bechorah for a simple bowl of red lentil soup? The pasuk tells us the answer right at the end: "Vayivez Esau et habechorah", Esau despised the birthright. When a person is focused purely on the immediate taavah of the moment, when he is "ayin" and hungry for what is right in front of his eyes, the real, eternal spiritual taafkid loses all its chasivus. To Esau, the avodah of the bechorah wasn't a geschackte zechus, it was just a burden that got in the way of his physical desires.

We see the absolute opposite in Yaakov Avinu, the "ish tam yoshev ohalim." Yaakov understood what true chashuvus is. He didn't care about a temporary bowl of soup; he valued the eternal avodas Hashem of the bechorah so deeply that he was ready to give up his physical meal to acquire it. The chiddush here is not just about a historical transaction between two brothers, but a sevara for our daily living: what we value in the quiet moment reveals who we truly are.

In our daily lives, the yetzer hara constantly tries to pull us into Esau's way of thinking, making us trade away precious, eternal spiritual opportunites for a momentary "bowl of soup", a extra few minutes of sleep, a rush to finish davening, or a quick distraction. Mimeila, our avodah is to pause and recognize the infinite value of a mitzvah, a posuk of Chumash, or a moment of kavana before we throw it away for something temporary.

Today, when a physical temptation or distraction threatens to pull you away from a mitzvah or learning, stop for five seconds and say to yourself: "I will not trade my bechorah for a bowl of soup."