please need some help with the Torah/Bible

[Yonathan Ben Yakov]

i got to write an essay compare & contrast Itzhak-Ismael & Yaakov-Esof

[muman613]

i got to write an essay compare & contrast Itzhak-Ismael & Yaakov-Esof

Yonathan,

I will just inform you that from Torah perspective that these brothers represent the Jewish vs the Non-Jewish world.

Yitzak is a patriarch of the Jewish people while Ishmael is the patriarch of the Arab nations.

Yaakov is the patriarch of the Jewish people while Essau is the patriarch of the Edomite nations {Roman}.

Maybe you already realized this... If not you can use this as a starting point for your research.

muman613

[zachor_ve_kavod]

Also, Isaac was the favorite to Abraham, and Jacob was the favorite to Isaac.  Although, Jacob did steal Esau's birthright.  It's a complicated essay.  What are you planning to focus on?

[Yonathan Ben Yakov]

thanks guys but i need to write a 3 page essay comparing both sets of brothers

[q_q_]

Also, Isaac was the favorite to Abraham, and Jacob was the favorite to Isaac. 
<snip>

actually the text suggests that Avraham cared alot for Yishmael, and Isaac. And G-d told him to send Yishmael away.  G-d told him that his seed would continue through Isaac.   Yitzchak's mother Sarai, naturally favoured Yitzchak.  Avraham when he sent Ishmael away, was - I vaguely recall - reluctant, but G-d told him to listen to his wife.

the text does not suggest that avraham had a favourite. What is your evidence from the text that suggests he did?

Regarding Jacob
Jacob was not Isaac's favourite.  If Isaac had a favourite, the text suggests that he favoured Esau.    It was Isaac's wife Rivka that favoured Jacob, and had to fool Isaac into giving Jacob the better blessing.

So you certainly have it backwards there.
 
The text if it suggests that Isaac had a favourite, certainly suggests Esau was the favourite, not Jacob.

 
So I would say we see a similarity there. In that the wife favoured the son that would become father of the jewish people.

Also, it's not esaf!!!!!   not in english or hebrew  ESAV  or perhaps ESAV/ESAW. OR Esau in english.

The F, is like saying Taf instead of Tav or Taw.  Because W/V/F can become confused.   W/V may have become confused. But let's not add F to the mix.   I think some do say Taf but I doubt they claim that is correct..   It's certainly not esaf!!!
The reason these accidents can happen is because the letter is formed from the same part of the mouth.

[zachor_ve_kavod]

Also, Isaac was the favorite to Abraham, and Jacob was the favorite to Isaac. 
<snip>

actually the text suggests that Avraham cared alot for Yishmael, and Isaac. And G-d told him to send Yishmael away.  G-d told him that his seed would continue through Isaac.   Yitzchak's mother Sarai, naturally favoured Yitzchak.  Avraham when he sent Ishmael away, was - I vaguely recall - reluctant, but G-d told him to listen to his wife.

the text does not suggest that avraham had a favourite. What is your evidence from the text that suggests he did?

Regarding Jacob
Jacob was not Isaac's favourite.  If Isaac had a favourite, the text suggests that he favoured Esau.    It was Isaac's wife Rivka that favoured Jacob, and had to fool Isaac into giving Jacob the better blessing.

So you certainly have it backwards there.
 
The text if it suggests that Isaac had a favourite, certainly suggests Esau was the favourite, not Jacob.

 
So I would say we see a similarity there. In that the wife favoured the son that would become father of the jewish people.

Also, it's not esaf!!!!!   not in english or hebrew  ESAV  or perhaps ESAV/ESAW. OR Esau in english.

The F, is like saying Taf instead of Tav or Taw.  Because W/V/F can become confused.   W/V may have become confused. But let's not add F to the mix.   I think some do say Taf but I doubt they claim that is correct..   It's certainly not esaf!!!
The reason these accidents can happen is because the letter is formed from the same part of the mouth.

Wow, that's pretty embarassing.  I'm going to review this right now!

[muman613]

Shalom,

q_q_ is right in most of what he wrote here...

Abraham was very fond of Ishmael and had to be told by Sarah to put him and his mother out of Abrahams house. Only because Hashem told Abraham to listen to Sarah did he do so.

Also regarding Essau it is true that Yitzak loved Essau. And Rivka was involved with the fact that Yaakov got the birthright.

http://modzitz.org/torah/toldos.htm
The Mother of All Blessings
based on a ma'amar from Rebbe Yechezkel of Kuzmir, found in the appendix to Divrei Yisrael

"And he didn't recognize him, for his hands were hairy like the hands of Esav; and he blessed him" [Breishis, 27:23].

Our holy sefarim tell us that Yaakov Avinu had to take the brachos [blessings] away from Esav with cunning, since the blessings were taken away from Adam HaRishon with cunning [see Breishis, 3:1], when he was "tricked" into eating from the Tree of Knowledge. Our Sages [Baba Metzia, 84a] tell us that Yaakov Avinu's beauty was a reflection of Adam HaRishon's; therefore [as an inheritor of Adam], he took back the brachos.

The effect of Yaakov Avinu's receiving the brachos from his father Yitzchak was, that even at a time when the Jewish People would not be on a lofty spiritual level, they would still be able to receive all of the bounty and blessings of this [physical] world. This was accomplished when Yaakov's mother Rivka placed goatskins on Yaakov's arms and neck.

Rivka did this because she knew that although Yitzchak's physical eyesight was "dimmed", his spiritual vision was not. Yitzchak wanted to bless Esav with the blessings of this [physical] world, and Yaakov with those of Olam Haba - the World to Come, as our sefarim relate. She therefore clothed Yaakov with Esav's clothes and goatskins, so that he would "be" Esav completely. That is, wherever Yitzchak would feel and smell "Yaakov," he would detect "Esav". Yaakov was thereby blessed with the bounty of this world.

Another reason she did this is because she knew that it would be beneficial and fitting for both of her sons. Therefore, after each of the sons received all of the blessings that were truly fit for him, Rivka is referred to as the "mother of Yaakov and Esav" [Breishis, 28:5]. This was because she was truly the mother of both of them equally, and she effected the best for each one.

So this is not a simple issue. I dont think you should pay someone to write this essay Yonathan... A true scholar must learn his bible lessons and not pay someone else... Please learn from your lesson...

muman613

[Yonathan Ben Yakov]

basically if anyone can write this for me ill pay you. 

[schrodinger's cat]

basically if anyone can write this for me ill pay you. 

It doesn't seem very moral for a Jew to cheat on a Judaism essay.

[q_q_]

Shalom,

q_q_ is right in most of what he wrote here...

Abraham was very fond of Ishmael and had to be told by Sarah to put him and his mother out of Abrahams house. Only because Hashem told Abraham to listen to Sarah did he do so.

Also regarding Essau it is true that Yitzak loved Essau. And Rivka was involved with the fact that Yaakov got the birthright.

I know you don't care for facts, but if you are going to say somebody is wrong, you should have the decency to state where.

You should care for facts regarding the Torah. 

You should at least want accuracy in that area.

[q_q_]

Also, Isaac was the favorite to Abraham, and Jacob was the favorite to Isaac. 
<snip>

actually the text suggests that Avraham cared alot for Yishmael, and Isaac. And G-d told him to send Yishmael away.  G-d told him that his seed would continue through Isaac.   Yitzchak's mother Sarai, naturally favoured Yitzchak.  Avraham when he sent Ishmael away, was - I vaguely recall - reluctant, but G-d told him to listen to his wife.

the text does not suggest that avraham had a favourite. What is your evidence from the text that suggests he did?

Regarding Jacob
Jacob was not Isaac's favourite.  If Isaac had a favourite, the text suggests that he favoured Esau.    It was Isaac's wife Rivka that favoured Jacob, and had to fool Isaac into giving Jacob the better blessing.

So you certainly have it backwards there.
 
The text if it suggests that Isaac had a favourite, certainly suggests Esau was the favourite, not Jacob.

 
So I would say we see a similarity there. In that the wife favoured the son that would become father of the jewish people.

Also, it's not esaf!!!!!   not in english or hebrew  ESAV  or perhaps ESAV/ESAW. OR Esau in english.

The F, is like saying Taf instead of Tav or Taw.  Because W/V/F can become confused.   W/V may have become confused. But let's not add F to the mix.   I think some do say Taf but I doubt they claim that is correct..   It's certainly not esaf!!!
The reason these accidents can happen is because the letter is formed from the same part of the mouth.

Wow, that's pretty embarassing.  I'm going to review this right now!

And that.

Since "embarrass" is spelt with 2 Rs and 2 Ss.
(your spelling prob doesn't exist, but interestingly, Embarras, is a river in E Illinois)

Your post is not that embarrassing, since the last paragraph of correction that I wrote refers to a mistake Yonathan made, not you.. though you didn't correct him.

[muman613]

Shalom,

q_q_ is right in most of what he wrote here...

Abraham was very fond of Ishmael and had to be told by Sarah to put him and his mother out of Abrahams house. Only because Hashem told Abraham to listen to Sarah did he do so.

Also regarding Essau it is true that Yitzak loved Essau. And Rivka was involved with the fact that Yaakov got the birthright.

I know you don't care for facts, but if you are going to say somebody is wrong, you should have the decency to state where.

You should care for facts regarding the Torah. 

You should at least want accuracy in that area.

q_q_,

Once again I edited this posting removing some of the feelings I had. I think this was a simple misunderstanding.

I was not saying you were incorrect in this posting. We have disagreed on other topics and yet I continued to be gracious with you.

I tried to help the original poster and support what you were saying about the relationship between the fathers and the sons.

muman613

PS: I am sorry if I said 'most of what he wrote here'. I realize it implies you are saying something which is not true. I apologize for that but it is not what I meant.

[q_q_]

You wrote "q_q_ is right in most of what he wrote here..."

What was it in that post that was not right?

[muman613]

You wrote "q_q_ is right in most of what he wrote here..."

What was it in that post that was not right?

q_q_,

I am sorry I wrote most of what he wrote here. I agree 100% with what you said here...

I am sorry.
muman613

[q_q_]

You wrote "q_q_ is right in most of what he wrote here..."

What was it in that post that was not right?

q_q_,

I am sorry I wrote most of what he wrote here. I agree 100% with what you said here...

I am sorry.
muman613

Why are you sorry?

What a silly thing to be sorry for.

No wonder you run from debate. You get deeply upset if you get something wrong.   

[AsheDina]

basically if anyone can write this for me ill pay you. 

     ("I'll pay you") lol
   Yonathan- use modern day philosophies too. Maybe I am wrong, but Esau was a MURDERER- seems to me like Esau is Arab/Islam. G-d hated Esau- b/c he was a murderer from practically his beginnings.   People tell me I am wrong about this all the time, but sorry I dont think so.  This is a good writing on the subject:

  http://www.jcpa.org/dje/articles/jacob-esau.htm

[cjd]

Yonathan, You need to work on this paper yourself. Nothing good will come from paying people to do your paper. I went to school when computers were used for not much other then record keeping. Doing a paper like that back then would have required going to one of the larger libraries to do the research. When I got there all the books would be out already. What a pain. You guys have the internet today with Tons of information at your finger tips. You can even pick peoples brain here in the forum. If we only had all this back then. Do your own paper you will do great and feel better about it in the process.

[q_q_]

basically if anyone can write this for me ill pay you. 

     ("I'll pay you") lol
   Yonathan- use modern day philosophies too. Maybe I am wrong, but Esau was a MURDERER- seems to me like Esau is Arab/Islam. G-d hated Esau- b/c he was a murderer from practically his beginnings.   People tell me I am wrong about this all the time, but sorry I dont think so.  This is a good writing on the subject:

  http://www.jcpa.org/dje/articles/jacob-esau.htm

we are on a potentially thorny issue here, because

the rabbis associate
yishmael with arabs/islam,

and esau with christianity/the west.

This showed incredible foresight..  Jews have been persecuted continuously since the birth of christianity, by christians, up to very recently.
So it was a very fitting association.

the association is also from the fact that , I think there is a rashi that points it out.. there is a link between Rome and Esau's ancestry.   Rome is of course the seat of christianity. (or a big form of it anyway).

of course, yishmael has a good and bad  side, and esau has a good and bad side.

I do think that we are living in times when Esau is showing his nice side.

Esau's evil since the holocaust has been largely restrained.

Now esau biggest threat is killing us with kindness.. jews assimilating.

A spiritual holocaust.

I would associate esau with the west.. western civilization.

We have seen in recent times, that Esau can be VERY cold..  whereas Yishmael is very Wild.

There is a midrash(not always literal, but they teach us lessons). It says that when Yaakov embraced Esau, Esau tried to bite his neck, Yaakov's neck turned to marble, and Esau broke his teeth.    
what it shows is how cold Esau can be.. It symbolizes the nazis.

Arabs are just wild animals..  I know both esau and yishmael are wild in the tenach. But it is yishmael whome the tenach says is a wild man father of a wild people, his hand shall be against every man and every man's hand shall be against him.

And this is really great...
If you quote that to a muslim.. as I have. They will think you are quoting from a book written 200 years ago. They will not believe it's in the Torah! That a book that old could have predicted that.  Or, their jaws drop. I've seen both reactions.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

Yonathan, I would have helped write it for you (and I would have enjoyed it,) , but im extremly bissy this week. 3 midterms and a project due next week (during Hol Hamoed), and also some other writing but I will just have to hand it in late. and with the holiday going on now (guests, + Yom Tov, etc.)
  when is the essay due? If after the 23rd, let me know, maybe I can direct you to some links for now.

[muman613]

basically if anyone can write this for me ill pay you. 

     ("I'll pay you") lol
   Yonathan- use modern day philosophies too. Maybe I am wrong, but Esau was a MURDERER- seems to me like Esau is Arab/Islam. G-d hated Esau- b/c he was a murderer from practically his beginnings.   People tell me I am wrong about this all the time, but sorry I dont think so.  This is a good writing on the subject:

  http://www.jcpa.org/dje/articles/jacob-esau.htm

Paulette,

As I said in my initial post, according to Jewish tradition Ishmael is the patriarch of the Arabs. Essau is the patriarch of the Edomites, the Romans. There is no way that Essau is related to the Arabs as Ishmael is well established as the head of the Arab nations.

muman613

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edom

Edom (Hebrew: אֱדוֹם, Standard Edom Tiberian ʾĔḏôm ; "red") is a name given to Esau in the Hebrew Bible, as well as to the nation descending from him. The nation's name in Assyrian was Udumi; in Syriac, ܐܕܘܡ; in Greek, Ἰδουμαία (Idoumaía); in Latin, Idumæa or Idumea.

The Edomite people were a Semitic-speaking tribal group inhabiting the Negev Desert and the Arabah valley of what is now southern Dead Sea and adjacent Jordan. The region has much reddish sandstone, which may have given rise to the name "Edom". The nation of Edom is known to have existed back to the 8th or 9th century B.C.E., and the Bible dates it back several centuries further. Recent archaeological evidence may indicate an Edomite nation as long ago as the 11th century B.C.E., but the topic is controversial. The nation ceased to exist as a settled state with the Jewish-Roman Wars.
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Later in Jewish history, the Roman Empire came to be identified with Edom, and specifically the remnants of Amalek. This can be seen in rabbinic and Pharasaic writings such as the Mishnah or the Talmud, the Spanish Rabbinic leaders Ramban and Ibn-Ezra, the French Rabbinic scholars Rashi (1040-1105) and Tosphoth, Babylonian Jewish scholars like Sa-adia Gaon and other Jewish exilarchs, the Lithuanian leader Rabbi Vilnius Gaon and Baal-Shem-Tov. They use "Edomite" to refer to Rome, the Byzantine Empire. In parallel, the Islamic world is referred to as "Ishmael".

PS: I think you meant that Essau was a Hunter, not a murderer. What is your source for calling Essau a murderer? In fact Essau was a very religious and observant man, not like you portray him.

Biblical description

The Bible depicts Esau as a hunter who prefers the outdoor life, qualities that distinguished him from his brother who was a shy, or simple man depending on the translation of the Hebrew word "Tam" (which also means "relatively perfect man").[1] According to the Bible, Esau is the ancestor of the Edomites.[1] In the Book of Genesis, Esau is frequently shown being supplanted by his younger twin Jacob (Israel).

Genesis 25:19-25 narrates Esau's birth. He emerges from the womb with Jacob grasping his heel. He is described thusly: "Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau."

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

But whatever, I dont believe that Ishmael was favored, it was just a question of either keeping or kicking out the son. And he wanted to have him stay (because after all he was his son), but Sarah and G-d saw other-wise, and they sent out Ishmael. Also mention that during Avraham's lifetime he gave Ishmael and the other sons gifts, that did not include the land of Israel (which only belong's to Yitzhak and after him his son Israel).
 http://torahanytime.com/Rabbi/Avraham_Tabibov/index.html - This is in Russian, the last one on the list, "Alexander the Great" Speaks of the Arabs and 2 other nations coming and
debating in front of Alexander the Great of who owns the land of Israel (obviously the Jews won, becuase they had logic on their side)- Listin to the Shiur, this is a very good Rav (My Rav actually, and I heard this before, in shul and this is brought down in the Talmud).

  Also many say that Yitzhak did favor Esav, and it is a good point, BUT that is why the Torah says he was blind, he didn't see the deception made by Esav and the way he tricked him. The sages say though that Esav did have 1 great quality which was Respecting mother and father (and he did serve his parents well). Also another comparison was that Esav was a man of the fields and Yakov- one who dwelt in tents.
  I beleive a Midrash (or maybe something I though of, or heard) says that Yitzhak Knew that Yakov was the one who dressed as Esav and was getting the blessing (he even says the voice is the voice of Yakov), but NOW he was ready to give him the blessing becuase he saw that Yakov was now able to survive in this world. Originally he wanted their to be a sort of pact between Esav and Yakov (a man of survival and a spiritual man respectivly), and that seeing Yakov as ONLY being a spiritual man, meant that maybe he could not survive in this "cruel" world (full of wars, etc.) BUT after using the "hands of Esav" Yitzhak could now see that Yakov acquired the necessary quality of survival that Esav has had and has both the "hands of Esav" and the "Voice of Yakov", both neccesary for the survival of the Jewish nation.
  This is also connected to David and his general Yoav, Becuase Yoav fought the battles for Israel, David was able to learn Torah, and becuase David learned Torah, Yoav won the battles for Israel.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

"As I said in my initial post, according to Jewish tradition Ishmael is the patriarch of the Arabs. Essau is the patriarch of the Edomites, the Romans. There is no way that Essau is related to the Arabs as Ishmael is well established as the head of the Arab nations."

 Both of you are right in a certain sense. Although generally the Arabs are Ishmael, and Edom is Rome, their is written, that 10 nations (including some of Amalik, Moav, Edom) ran to the desert and intermarried with the Ishmaleites (not all of them, but a portion of 10 nations did, when Sanherib came and conqured the region, and displaced nations and interminglied them).  But yes, mainly the Arabs are Ishmael, and their spiritual and cultural influence is Ishmael, while Europe is generally Esav.

[muman613]

Shalom,

Found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esau
Genesis 25:28 explains the conflict between the parents and their children: "Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob." (emphasis added).
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Esau, naturally, is furious and vows to kill Jacob (Gen. 27:41). Once again Rebekah intervenes to save her youngest son Jacob from being murdered by her eldest son, Esau.

Therefore, at Rebekah's urging, Jacob flees to a distant land to work for a relative, Laban (Gen. 28:5). To engineer Jacob's escape unharmed, Rebekah invents a story about not wanting Jacob to marry a local Heth-ite woman (Gen. 27:46).

Esau married Canaanite women, but, upon hearing that this greatly displeased his parents, Esau married his cousin Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael (Gen. 28:6-9). Esau thus demonstrates loyalty to his parents and their wishes. However, the Bible portrays Rebekah's expression of displeasure with the women of the region as actually being only a ruse to facilitate Jacob's escape from Esau's murderous threats.

So apparantly Tzvi was correct that there is a mix of Esaus descendants and the descendants of Ishmael.

muman613

PS: Esau wanted to murder Yaakov because he felt Yaakov had stolen his birthright {but in truth he sold it for a bowl of beans}. In the end Yaakov wrestles with the angel of Esau and prevails and the angel gives Yaakov his well-known name of Israel.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

"PS: I think you meant that Essau was a Hunter, not a murderer. What is your source for calling Essau a murderer? In fact Essau was a very religious and observant man, not like you portray him."

 Our sages say that Esav was a murderer. ( Actually both him and Ishmael- by Ishmeal see the comments of "Mesahek"- or playing- 3 interpretations- raping women, killing, and serving idolatry)
 Esav- when he came from the field, the day Avraham Avinu Alav Hashalom died, our sages say he killed a person. At first he was "good" although already at the womb their was a battle between Esav and Yakov. Many say when Avraham died- Esav said, something to the point of, how could G-d kill a man as rightious as Avraham (his grandfather), so thus their is no justice and Judge on earth (G-d forbid), so then he became bad (at around 13 I believe, and on that day he murdered a person).

  Yonathan- I also remembered- this http://www.torahanytime.com/Rabbi/Daniel_Cohen/index.html
 "Dating and Marriage part 1). - (english) This Rav talks about the different personality traits (including Ishmael, Esav, etc.) Comparisons, etc. I believe this would be very helpful for your paper.

[muman613]

"PS: I think you meant that Essau was a Hunter, not a murderer. What is your source for calling Essau a murderer? In fact Essau was a very religious and observant man, not like you portray him."

 Our sages say that Esav was a murderer. ( Actually both him and Ishmael- by Ishmeal see the comments of "Mesahek"- or playing- 3 interpretations- raping women, killing, and serving idolatry)
 Esav- when he came from the field, the day Avraham Avinu Alav Hashalom died, our sages say he killed a person. At first he was "good" although already at the womb their was a battle between Esav and Yakov. Many say when Avraham died- Esav said, something to the point of, how could G-d kill a man as rightious as Avraham (his grandfather), so thus their is no justice and Judge on earth (G-d forbid), so then he became bad (at around 13 I believe, and on that day he murdered a person).

  Yonathan- I also remembered- this http://www.torahanytime.com/Rabbi/Daniel_Cohen/index.html
 "Dating and Marriage part 1). - (english) This Rav talks about the different personality traits (including Ishmael, Esav, etc.) Comparisons, etc. I believe this would be very helpful for your paper.

Interesting Tzvi,

I just listened to a shuir from TorahAnyTime and I remember the Rabbi {I cant recall his name now} said that Esau was a very religious and pious man. This is how he was able to fool his father. But it is possible that your explanation is true also. I have not heard this before. I will look into it...

Thank you,
muman613

PS: I found this on Aish.com which explains what you are talking about...

http://www.aish.com/torahportion/moray/Esau.asp
Parshat Toldot tells the tale of the two children born to Isaac and Rebecca, Esau and Jacob.

The Jewish tradition teaches much about the greatness of Jacob, who is known also by his other name Israel. Jacob is the symbol of fidelity to God, the symbol of goodness. Our entire people have assumed his identity.

But his brother Esau is seen as a demonic character. The very name Esau evokes images of mayhem and bloodshed. Though his midrashic reputation is unchallenged, when one reads the biblical text, one wonders if he really deserves it.

We know that Esau was a hunter, an occupation that, despite any ominous overtones, is not intrinsically evil. Perhaps it is the comparison with Jacob that has put Esau in a poor light, though does that alone justify the deep enmity for Esau transmitted across millennia?

We might claim that only due to his descendants -- most notably Amalek -- has Esau earned his inauspicious reputation. Alternatively, we may assume that the actions and attitudes of his descendants helped form the midrashic reading of the texts.

THE DESPAIR OF ABRAHAM

The Midrash actually records the antecedents of such an approach within Abraham himself, as he contemplates his own death:

    Then I said in my heart: as it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me. (Ecclesiastes 2:15). "I have been called 'king' and the wicked Nimrod is called 'king'. Both alike died; in that case, why was I then more wise? Why did I [Abraham] jeopardize my life for the sanctification of the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, and warn people, saying, 'There is no G-d like Him among those above or below'? Then I said further, For there is no remembrance of the wise man together with the fool for ever, seeing that in the days to come all will long ago have been forgotten. Why [should he have said so]? When adversity befalls Israel they cry, Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants (Exodus 32:13); but do the heathen nations [in their distress] cry, 'Remember the deeds of Nimrod'? That is what is written, So how shall the wise man die even as the fool!" (Midrash Rabbah - Kohelet 2:16)

Esau identifies with this articulation of despair more than any other "teaching" of Abraham. In this soliloquy, Abraham concerned himself with the world-view of the simple man, and not only the philosopher, and therefore considered the world from a superficial perspective. Abraham was worried that due to the human condition, with death in the world, he and his teachings would soon be forgotten, his deeds dissipated like so many other passing trends. Realistically, without Abraham, the world stood a serious chance of becoming a dark and ugly place again, sliding back into the dark age from which it had emerged. Indeed, on the day that Abraham dies, all hell breaks loose:

    Rabbi Johanan said: "That wicked [Esau] committed five sins on that day. He dishonored a betrothed maiden, he committed a murder, he denied G-d, he denied the resurrection of the dead, and he spurned the birthright." (Baba Batra 16b)

The concept of resurrection, which his father Isaac had all but experienced, could have provided Esau with the hope he needed to continue in his fathers' path. Yet this concept, this comfort, eluded his tortured mind. Ironically, Esau with his philosophy of despair, helps extinguish the light of Abraham which had shone so brightly up to that very day.