Adam's Garment and Why Jacob Risked His Life for the Birthright

Another interpretation of "Behold, I am going to die": that Nimrod was seeking to kill him on account of that garment which had belonged to Adam the first man, for when Esau wore it and went out to the field, all the beasts and birds in the world would come and gather around him. "And he said, Swear to me" (Genesis 25:33). Why did our father Jacob wish to give his life for the birthright? As we learned: before the Tabernacle was set up, the high places were permitted and the service was performed by the firstborn; once the Tabernacle was set up, the high places were forbidden and the service was performed by the priests. Jacob said, "Shall this wicked man stand and offer sacrifices?" This is what is written, "surely you hated blood, therefore blood shall pursue you" (Ezekiel 35:6) — and this Esau hated blood. Rabbi Levi said: this is the blood of circumcision. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nahman said: this is the blood of the sacrifices. The Rabbis say: the hatred of a man's blood — yet you murder him! This is what is written, "He loved cursing, and it came upon him; he delighted not in blessing" (Psalms 109:17). Rabbi Levi said: he delighted not in the birthright. Rabbi Hama said: this is the blood of the sacrifices, which is called blessing, as you say, "An altar of earth you shall make for Me" (Exodus 20:21), and it is written, "I will come to you and bless you" (ibid.).