Isaac, son of Abraham, certainly did. The text tells us that as Isaac neared the age his mother Sarah had reached when she passed – 123 years old – he began to contemplate his own mortality. It’s a natural thing, isn't it? The tradition teaches that we should prepare for death when we approach the age at which our parents departed this world.
Isaac realized he didn't know whether his own lifespan would mirror his mother's or his father's. So, what did he decide to do? He resolved to bless his elder son, Esau, before death could snatch him away.
He calls for Esau. “My son,” Isaac says.
And Esau answers, “Here am I.” But here’s where things get interesting.
The text tells us – and I love this – that the Ruach Hakodesh, the holy spirit, intercedes. It’s as if a divine voice whispers a warning directly into the narrative! The voice says, "Though he disguises his voice and makes it sound sweet, put no confidence in him. There are seven abominations in his heart. He will destroy seven holy places..."
Seven! A powerful number in Jewish tradition. What are these places? The text lists them: the Tabernacle, the sanctuaries at Gilgal, Shiloh, Nob, and Gibeon, and, most tragically, the first and the second Temple in Jerusalem. These places, each a locus of connection between humanity and the Divine, were destined for destruction at the hands (or through the lineage) of Esau. Isaac, contemplating his mortality, wants to bestow a blessing. But the holy spirit interrupts, revealing a dark future connected to the very son he intends to bless. It’s a potent reminder that even in moments of profound personal reflection, the threads of history, destiny, and divine will are intricately interwoven. What are the implications of this divine interruption? What does it mean for free will? And what does it mean for the future of the Jewish people? Perhaps those questions are best left for another time, another cup of coffee, and another fascinating dive into the Legends of the Jews.