Midrash: -
the birth right:
The Hebrew word for “birth right” is “bechorah” the
Hebrew word for blessing is “bracha” the gematria for the root stems of each of
these words 222 - two speaks of connecting in righteous relationships – self others and YHVH.
Extract from
the book of Yasher:
26: 17 And the boys grew up to their fifteenth
year, and they came amongst the society of men. Esau was a designing and
deceitful man, and an expert hunter in the field, and Jacob was a man perfect
and wise, dwelling in tents, feeding flocks and learning the instructions of YHVH
and the commands of his father and mother.18 And Isaac and the children of his household dwelt with his father Abraham in the land of Canaan, as YHVH had commanded them.
Note Yasher speaks of the boys coming of
age (barmitzvah) they were considered as adults in the community. We also know
that the first born of the family had the priestly responsibility in the
family, in this case we know that Esav was not interested in the
responsibilities of the birth right – all he wanted was the blessings of the
birth right.
16 And the days that Nimrod reigned upon the people of the land were one hundred and eighty-five years; and Nimrod died by the sword of Esau in shame and contempt, and the seed of Abraham caused his death as he had seen in his dream. End quote.
This is very interesting information (remember that Yasher is quoted twice in our scriptures – Josh 10:13 and 2 Sam 1:18) Here in Yasher we are told that Esav had just come back from killing Nimrod. History tells us that these were two fierce enemies of each other and when Esav eventually killed him, he took his garments because they were priestly garments. This priesthood represented a priesthood that despised the Torah, the covenants and the people of YHVH.
When Esav approached Yakov after this battle, Yakov was busy preparing a “se'udat havra'ah” or a meal of consolation. This remains a custom to this day in the Hebrew community. When someone dies they have a “shiva” that is seven days of mourning (being symbolic of the seven days of creation)
Immediately upon returning from the burial, the mourners partake in a meal called the “se'udat havra'ah”. Meal of consolation. We understand from the sages that this was the death of Avraham. This “shiva” was however not seven days but one year because Avraham was such a revered and honoured man.
The message concerning Esav and his birthright is that Esav was not prepared to identify with the Hebraic way of entering into covenants and studying Torah. Esav’s name comes from the Hebrew word “ashah” which means to complete or be done. In other words Esav did not believe in submitting to a process of character development. He was born with hair all over his body, the sages add that he even had teeth. His motto was “I have it all and I have it now” - end quote.