Why Isaac Must Eat in Joy Before He Blesses Jacob

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 27:10

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you." For the Shekhinah rests only out of joy, as it is said: "And now bring me a musician. And it came to pass, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him" (2 Kings 3:15). "So that he may bless you." And what blessing? This blessing is the priestly blessing.

Themes

BlessingPatriarchsMusicPrayerJoy

Biblical References

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Book of JubileesRebecca Blesses Jacob Before He Deceives IsaacBook of Jubilees turns to Rebecca Blesses Jacob Before He Deceives Isaac. “Blessed be he that blesseth thee, And all flesh that curseth thee falsely may it be cBook of JubileesEsau Cries With Bitter Anguish Over the Lost BlessingBook of Jubilees turns to Esau Cries With Bitter Anguish Over the Lost Blessing. The patriarch Isaac has just unknowingly blessed his younger son, Jacob, insteaLegends of the JewsIsaac — Jacob's TransgressionAfter Jacob, disguised as his brother Esau, received Isaac's blessing, a lesser man might have tried to retract it. But Isaac, despite the deception, understoodMidrash TanchumaWhat Do the Words and Be Thou a Blessing SignifyAnd I will bless thee and make thy name great, and be thou a blessing (Gen. 12:2). And I will bless thee implies: I Myself will bless thee. I will make thy nameBook of JubileesBowing Before the LordBook of Jubilees turns to Bowing Before the Lord. Chapter 20 lays out a powerful promise, a vision of what life could be when lived in alignment with a higher pBook of JubileesBlessed Art Thou Lord of RighteousnessIt’s a fascinating text, considered apocryphal by some, meaning it's not included in the standard Hebrew Bible, but it's still treasured by many as a window int