Chapter (42) [43]: Torah [1] "And God shall give you the dew of heaven" (Genesis 27:28). This means the dew of Mount Hermon, as it is written, "Like the dew of Hermon" (Psalms 133:3). "And he smelled the smell of his garments" (Genesis 27:27). What were these garments?
Our sages taught that before the Tabernacle was built, the animals were considered fit for sacrifice, and the service was dependent on the firstborn. Adam, who was the firstborn of the world, first dressed in priestly garments, as it is written, "And God made for Adam and his wife garments of skin and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). And it is written, "He shall wear a holy linen tunic" (Leviticus 16:4).
"The first man gave the garments [to Eve, and Eve to Methuselah, and Methuselah to Noah, and Noah] to Shem, who was Noah's firstborn, as it is said: 'And Melchizedek, King of Salem, brought out bread and wine.'" (Genesis 14:18), where they were given to Abraham, who gave them to Isaac, who gave them to Esau, who was the firstborn. When Isaac saw that his wives were practicing idolatry, he took them away from Esau and entrusted them to Rebecca.
When Jacob took the birthright from Esau, Rebecca said, "Since Jacob has taken the birthright, it is fitting that he should wear these garments," as it is written, "And Rebecca took the garments of Esau" (Genesis 27:15). Jacob then went to his father and he smelled them, as it is written, "And he smelled the smell of his garments" (Genesis 27:27), and Isaac smelled the same fragrance that had been sacrificed on the altar. [2] Another explanation: "And he smelled the smell of his garments."
His garments - those wicked people who deceive the Almighty when they repent. Their punishment is like myrrh and aloes, "All your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes" (Psalms 45:9). Therefore it is said "and he smelled" like the scent of the field, like the scent of the sacrifices in Zion, as it is said "Zion shall be plowed like a field" (Jeremiah 26:18). He said to him, take the blessings that I have given you. [3] "And God gave it to you" (Genesis 27:28).
According to the law, if you have merits, God gives to you, but if not, He does not give to you. However, when it came to Esau, the verse did not say, "And God gave it to you," but rather, "Behold, of the fat of the earth," etc. (Genesis 27:39), and the name of God was not mentioned, only "of the fat of the earth." But to Jacob, God gave him "the dew of heaven" (Genesis 27:28). This can be compared to a merchant who sold two sets of dishes to one buyer, one set for ten gold coins, and the other for a hundred gold coins.
They went with him to collect the money, and immediately he gave the ten gold coins and left. But the second seller hesitated and said to the buyer, "You give me the hundred gold coins and I'll wait." The buyer replied, "I only have ten gold coins to give you now, and I'll stand at the table waiting for you to take the rest." This is what God did with Esau, giving him what was only of this world.
But for Jacob, God gave him the abundant blessings, as it is written, "How great is Your goodness that You have hidden away for those who fear You" (Psalm 31:20). [4] Another interpretation: God will give you rain from the sky, this is the manna, as it is said "when the dew fell" (Numbers 11:9), this is the manna. And from the fat of the earth, this is the well that brought up fish for them, and an abundance of grain and grapes, these are the vineyards.
"Let peoples serve you", these are the descendants of Noah. "Nations bow down to you", these are the descendants of Ishmael. "Be master over your brothers", these are the descendants of Keturah. "Cursed be those who curse you", this is Balaam. "Blessed be those who bless you", this is Moses, as it is said "And this is the blessing" (Deuteronomy 33:1).