In parshat Toldot, we are presented with the blessing that Yitzchak gave to Yaakov: "May HaShem give you of the dew of the heavens and the rich bounty of the earth." (Bereshit 27:28)
What was so unique and important in this blessing that Esav began to cry when he realized that he had not received it? Esav did, in fact, receive what seems to be a similar blessing, albeit in reverse order: "Behold, the rich bounty of the earth shall be your dwelling place and the dew of the heaven from above." How are the two blessings different?
The Kli Yakar, in his insightful wisdom, suggests that Yitzchak blessed each son with his own priority. Yaakov, whose emphasis was on God's help and support, was blessed with dew coming from the heavens as the primary source of his well-being. Esav received a blessing attuned to his philosophy of life, whereby the significant support comes from man himself; therefore, "the rich bounty of the earth" is primary.
I once read that the late Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz referred to these blessings in homiletic terms, saying that there is nothing wrong in requesting both spiritual and material achievements, but many times, parents put the emphasis for their children on getting a good job and fulfilling their materialistic needs, while pushing off the child's spiritual growth until it is too late.
For our unique people, "the dew of the heaven" must come before "the rich bounty of the earth." This is why parents must realize that the holiness of Eretz Yisrael should take priority over "the rich bounty of the ( Diaspora) earth ."
------------------------------------
Rabbi Chanoch Yeres is rabbi of the Beit Yisroel synagogue in Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem, as well as national coordinator for the Jewish Heritage Program for the Deaf, and on the Council of Young Israel Rabbis.
What was so unique and important in this blessing that Esav began to cry when he realized that he had not received it? Esav did, in fact, receive what seems to be a similar blessing, albeit in reverse order: "Behold, the rich bounty of the earth shall be your dwelling place and the dew of the heaven from above." How are the two blessings different?
The Kli Yakar, in his insightful wisdom, suggests that Yitzchak blessed each son with his own priority. Yaakov, whose emphasis was on God's help and support, was blessed with dew coming from the heavens as the primary source of his well-being. Esav received a blessing attuned to his philosophy of life, whereby the significant support comes from man himself; therefore, "the rich bounty of the earth" is primary.
I once read that the late Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz referred to these blessings in homiletic terms, saying that there is nothing wrong in requesting both spiritual and material achievements, but many times, parents put the emphasis for their children on getting a good job and fulfilling their materialistic needs, while pushing off the child's spiritual growth until it is too late.
For our unique people, "the dew of the heaven" must come before "the rich bounty of the earth." This is why parents must realize that the holiness of Eretz Yisrael should take priority over "the rich bounty of the ( Diaspora) earth ."
------------------------------------
Rabbi Chanoch Yeres is rabbi of the Beit Yisroel synagogue in Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem, as well as national coordinator for the Jewish Heritage Program for the Deaf, and on the Council of Young Israel Rabbis.