The story of Isaac blessing Jacob instead of Esau is definitely one of those moments. It’s a story filled with deception, family drama, and a bit of divine intervention, and it's far more complex than it might seem at first glance.
According to Legends of the Jews, Esau’s marriages to Canaanite women were a constant source of grief for both Isaac and Rebekah. But why? Well, these marriages weren't just about differing social circles. They represented a clash of values, a deep-seated conflict between following God's path and embracing idolatrous practices. Rebekah found it distasteful, but Isaac, it seems, was particularly sensitive to it. The text suggests men are not as resilient to disagreeable circumstances as women. Interesting, right?
And that's not the only reason Isaac's sight was failing. The Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg) also tells us about the tears of angels, shed when Isaac was bound on the altar by his father Abraham. These tears, the story goes, weakened his eyes. But there's also a more symbolic reason offered: Isaac's love for Esau, despite his wickedness, blinded him. It's like a "bribe" of filial affection, and as the saying goes, "A gift blinds the eyes of the wise."
But here's a twist: Isaac's blindness, despite being a hardship, actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It kept him at home, shielding him from the shame of being known as the father of the wicked Esau. And, crucially, it paved the way for Jacob to receive the blessing. It’s as if God was orchestrating events, guiding them toward a specific outcome. Like a physician tricking a sick man into drinking water he thinks is wine to make him feel better.
As Isaac approached the age his mother had reached when she passed away - one hundred and twenty-three - he began to think about his own mortality. According to Jewish tradition, it’s proper to prepare for death when you approach the age at which your parents passed. He decided it was time to bestow his blessing upon his elder son, Esau. He called for Esau, but the Holy Spirit intervened. The text says that even though Esau disguised his voice to sound sweet, Isaac shouldn't trust him, because there were seven abominations in his heart. Isaac, however, remained spiritually blind to Esau's true nature.
On the eve of Passover, Isaac instructed Esau to prepare a special meal, saying, "Tonight the whole world will sing the Hallel unto God." The Hallel (הלל) are Psalms of praise and thanksgiving recited on Jewish holidays. Isaac wanted to bless Esau before he died. But again, the Holy Spirit interjected, "Eat not the bread of him that hath an evil eye."
Why the fuss over food? Well, the text suggests that Isaac's blindness made him crave especially flavorful dishes. But there's also a deeper meaning here. Food, in this context, becomes a symbol of blessing and connection. And the Holy Spirit is warning against accepting blessings from someone with impure intentions.
Meanwhile, Rebekah, through divine inspiration, knew what Isaac was planning. But it wasn't simply love for Jacob that motivated her; it was a desire to prevent Isaac from making a terrible mistake. She instructed Jacob to deceive his father, to present himself as Esau and receive the blessing.
Jacob, understandably, hesitated. He feared incurring his father's curse. But Rebekah reassured him, saying she would bear any curse that might fall upon him. She even invoked her marriage contract, claiming it entitled her to two kids daily, one for the Passover sacrifice and one for the festival sacrifice and they would bring good unto him.
To complete the deception, Rebekah dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes, special garments that had been passed down through generations, even from Adam himself! According to the text, these garments were priestly raiment, befitting the firstborn. And since Jacob had bought the birthright from Esau, Rebekah believed he was entitled to them. The text describes Esau as always wearing them in front of his father because he saw Isaac as a king.
When Jacob entered Isaac's chamber, he spoke hesitantly, trying to avoid a direct lie. But Isaac grew suspicious. He questioned Jacob's speed and decided to feel him. It's a moment of intense tension, fraught with the potential for discovery and disaster.
As Isaac touched Jacob, God intervened, sending angels to support him. Isaac noticed the hairy hands and declared, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." These words, according to the text, contain a prophecy: as long as the voice of Jacob is heard in houses of prayer and learning, the hands of Esau will not prevail against him. Isaac, still hesitant, was shown that even the sinners in Israel would turn penitent, and then he was ready to bless Jacob.
Isaac then smelled the fragrance of Paradise clinging to Jacob. The archangel Michael fetched wine from Paradise. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Isaac bestowed upon Jacob a tenfold blessing, a blessing that echoed God's own blessings. Dew from heaven, fatness of the earth, plenty of corn and wine – all symbols of abundance, prosperity, and divine favor. And with each blessing from Isaac, a corresponding blessing was bestowed by God himself. Even Rebekah joined in, adding her own blessings.
As Jacob left his father's presence, he was transformed, bathed in celestial dew and filled with strength. He was also unknowingly saved from a deadly encounter with Esau, thanks to a revolving door that concealed him at the last moment.
So, what are we to make of this story? It's a complex and morally ambiguous tale. Deception is involved, but so is divine intervention. It raises questions about fate, free will, and the nature of blessing. Was Jacob destined to receive the blessing all along? Did Rebekah's actions undermine Isaac's authority? Or was she simply acting as God's agent, ensuring that the divine plan unfolded as it should? It's a story that continues to resonate with us today, prompting us to grapple with these timeless questions.