Why Isaac's Eyes Grew Dim Before He Blessed His Sons

"And it came to pass when Isaac was old" (Genesis 27:1). This teaches that anger removes the light (of the eyes), as it is written, "and they were a bitterness of spirit" (Genesis 26:35), and immediately after it is written, "And it came to pass when Isaac was old." Another interpretation of "And it came to pass when Isaac was old": Rabbi Hanina said, Isaac's eyes grew dim only so that Jacob would come and take the blessings. Rabbi Elazar says, Isaac's eyes grew dim only from the wickedness of Esau. Rabbi Berekhiah says, Isaac's eyes grew dim only because he gazed upon the Shekhinah at the time of the Binding. Another interpretation of "And it came to pass when Isaac was old": And by right it was that Isaac's eyes should grow dim, because he benefited from the wicked one, and he loved him only because he would feed him game, as it is said, "And he called Esau" (Genesis 27:1), and the holy Torah said, "and you shall take no bribe" (Exodus 23:8). "And he called Esau his elder son": And so too Rebecca called him great, as it is said, "her elder son" (Genesis 27:15). But the Holy One, blessed be He, called him small, as it is said, "Behold, I have made you small among the nations" (Jeremiah 49:15); but at his downfall He called him great, as it is said, "a great slaughter in the land of Edom" (Isaiah 34:6).