blogs/rabbi-huberman

I recall a story about a cousin, who, in her childhood, was asked, “Which person in the world do you respect the most?”

Her teacher wondered: “Would it be the President, or perhaps the Prime Minister of Israel, or maybe the first person to walk on the moon?”

My cousin thought for a moment and answered, “It’s the garbage man.”

“The garbage man,” replied the teacher mildly shocked. “Why the garbage man?”

“Because,” said my cousin, “he is the only one who waves and says ‘hello’ when I’m playing outside.”

This story — so pure and sincere — was brought to mind as I reread this week’s Torah portion titled Toldot (“These are the generations of Isaac.”)

Toldot recounts a series of events that take place towards the end of Isaac’s life. Isaac is the son of Abraham, the first Jew. As Isaac’s strength and eyesight wane, the question emerges, “Who will lead this new theology in the third generation?”

The parashah opens with Rebekah giving birth to twins. The first to emerge is Esau who is covered with red hair, followed by Jacob holding Esau’s heal.

The Torah then describes their growth into adulthood. “Esau became a hunter, a man of the outdoors; but Jacob was a mild man who stayed in camp.” (Genesis 25:27)

Tradition tells us that Esau was gruff and surly — while the more mild-mannered Jacob remained in his tent studying sacred texts. The Torah adds, “Isaac favored Esau because he had a taste for meat; but Rebekah favored Jacob.”

One day, Esau returns from the field famished. He is literally starving to death, and, at coaxing of Jacob, agrees to sell his birthright for a helping of lentil stew. 

Ultimately, when it’s time for Isaac to provide his firstborn blessing to Esau — Jacob, encouraged by his mother, dons furry clothing, passes himself off as Esau, and receives the blessing instead.

Esau subsequently realizes what has happened, and asks, in one of the Torah’s most heartbreaking moments, “Have you not but one blessing, Father?” The Torah adds, “And Esau wept aloud.” (Genesis 27:38).

Ultimately, our Talmudic sages are not kind to Esau. They accuse him of being rude — even a “murderer, rapist and glutton.” But, I don’t see that in the text.

What I do see is a reflection of Judaism’s almost obsessive respect for intellect. We supposedly like Jacob because he is a thinker, a philosopher, and is loyal to his mother. 

Yet, Esau receives no such respect. He is depicted as the one who directly interacts with an often violent and threatening world. But that is not always neat and tidy.

Over the years, Jewish tradition has produced an unofficial pecking order of jobs best suited for a Jewish person. There are many Jewish-mother jokes about “my son the doctor,” and the list descends — from jobs of the intellect to those of the hands.

But without the Esau’s in our lives, who would procure our food? Who would fix our potholes, repair our roofs, remove our fallen trees, and yes, take away our trash?

True Judaism tradition reminds us that each of us has a unique skill. And each one is vital and precious in God’s sight.

In God’s eyes, what is most important is how we apply our skills, and that we do so with dignity, focus and humility.

This has never been more true than during the pandemic. Many of us who have enjoyed the privilege of a good education, or a marketable intellectual skill, have been able to work from home. We have ample space to perform our jobs, while we remain safe.

But there are a huge number of our fellow citizens who do not have that opportunity. Many have worked during this pandemic — at some peril — at the hardware store or supermarket.

Many serve us at restaurants, or take care of those in hospitals. Some drive cabs, and many work in slaughterhouses all over our country. They are the Esau’s of our time.

Indeed, we need to consider and to respect the skills sets of both Jacob and Esau. We cannot survive by complete intellect, nor can we succeed on pure brawn.

In this week’s Torah portion, Isaac, as he runs his fingers over the fake hair covering Jacob’s arm, notes, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, yet the hands are the hands of Esau.” (Genesis 27:22)

We need to respect both voices within this biblical story, as we appreciate that it takes both Esau’s and Jacob’s to run this world.

Still, during this time of Covid, I find myself inclining towards Esau — the gruff outdoorsman with a sensitive heart, who is swindled by his brother of sharper intellect.

Later in our text, Esau learns that love, forgiveness and sensitivity are more important than life’s physical pursuits, while Jacob discovers that demanding physical work is good for the soul. In future chapters, the two, after years of animosity and separation learn to meet in the middle.

As we, of considerable advantage, review this week’s Torah portion, let us remember when we enter a store or restaurant, as we encounter Esau’s spiritual descendants that it is important — as we learn from my cousin’s hero — to treat everyone with dignity, and be the first to say “hello.”

This is ever more important during these challenging times. Mind and body must work together.

Let us, therefore, never move too far to one side of the other: as we respect both the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau.

That is how we have, and will ultimately, survive.

We must respect and honor the skills of everyone — together.

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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