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Toldot May Hashem grant you the dew of the heaven and the fat of the earth, much grain and wine. Nations will serve you; governments bow down to you. You shall be like a lord for your brother; your mother's children will prostate themselves before you. Those who curse you will be cursed, and those who bless you are blessed. With these words Yitzchak blessed his son Ya'akov - thinking it was his brother Eisav. R' Avrohom of Sochatshov explains: The blessing was that good should be seen to come from Hashem Himself and not just as fate. Rashi comments: He will give and then He will give again. Pleasure is by definition temporary. A constant pleasure is no longer a pleasure rather the norm. If a person become wealthy in one go -he wins the lottery - he will be happy for a while. Eventually he will get used to the idea and believe this is the way it ought to be. He can even forget the source of his wealth. However an individual who's wealth is added to daily - has an increase in happiness daily. This was the blessing from Yitzchak to Ya'akov. Hashem should constantly be giving you. It has the added benefit of reminding us the source of all. It is easy to be a lord over one's brother. The real responsibility is to be like a lord for your brother, that every action you take is for your brother's benefit. R' Avrohom of Slonim would say: It is everyone's desire to be like a lord, however it should always be for your brother that you can still sit with all equally - like a brother. And Yitzchak called to Ya'akov and blessed him, and commanded and told him, "Do not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan." The Torah teaches here a lesson on how to raise children. One should not begin by stating what is prohibited. You gain little through intimidation, threats or anger. Yitzchak's method was first to bless Ya'akov. Only then did Yitzchak feel able to command him. At the same time, the blessing alone is not enough, you must also provide firm direction. |
