Why Esau and Jacob Looked Alike Until Age Fifteen

(Gen. 25:27:) "And the boys grew up, and Esau was a man knowing the hunt," etc. Rabbi Berekhyah the Priest said in the name of Rabbi Levi: Both of them went to the schoolhouse, and both of them were alike until fifteen years. To what were they comparable? To a myrtle and a thorn-bush: as long as they are small, no one can tell one from the other; once they grow up, this one gives off fragrance and is good, and that one puts forth its thorns. So too, all the days that Esau and Jacob were small, no one could tell them apart; once they grew up, they became distinguishable. From where do we know this? As it is said, "And the boys grew up," etc. "But Jacob was a wholesome man, dwelling in tents" (ibid.). "A man knowing the hunt" — Rabbi Abbahu said: What is "knowing the hunt"? That his hunting was entrapment; he hunted at home and he hunted in the field. "But Jacob was a wholesome man, dwelling in tents." The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: You began to dwell in tents — by your life, when I return to Jerusalem, it is by your merit that I return, as it is said, "Thus said the LORD: Behold, I will restore the captivity of the tents of Jacob" (Jer. 30:18). "The captivity of Abraham" is not said, but "the captivity of Jacob."