In this week’s parsha we read of Yitzchok and Rivka and the birth of Yakov and Eisav. The Torah tells us that although Eisav was a rasha, Yitzchok had a special liking towards him. Rivka, on the other hand loved Yakov.
The Torah relates, when Yitzchok got older he lost his eyesight and wanted to grant Eisav a special bracha. He called him and instructed him to prepare a special meal for him and then he will bentch him with many blessings.
Rivka had overheard the conversation, she quickly called Yakov and got him to wear Eisav’s clothing and pretend he is Eisav, this way Yakov can receive the brachos that were intended for his twin brother.
The switch actually worked, when Yakov entered Yitzchok’s room, Yitzchok was confused and he proclaimed hakol kol Yakov v’hayadaim yedei Eisav, the voice is the voice of Yakov but the hands feel like Eisav’s. He then proceeded to bentch Yakov with the famous bracha of V’ayiten lecha Elokim.
The obvious question is, if Yitzchok had doubts who was really in front of him, why did he give the bracha?
Additionally, the entire episode is hard to understand. It is clear that Yakov deserved the brachos, why did Hashem orchestrate that the brachos should come in such a roundabout way? Why did Yakov literally have to trick Yitzchok into giving him the brachos?
The Yismach Yisroel answers in the name of the Vorka Rebbe that this is precisely how Hashem wanted the bracha to take effect.
Hashem desperately wants Klal Yisroel to receive the blessings even when they are not deserving. Even when they don’t look the part or are not acting accordingly, the brachos shall still be given to them.
Therefore Yakov received the bracha specifically while he was dressed and acting like Eisav, cause even then a Yid deserves to be bentched!
This heilige vort is a great chizuk to us all. A Yid by being a descendant of Yakov Avinu is included in this special bracha, regardless of his personal level or outer appearance. For this is what Yitzchok gave over to Yakov, that a Yid will always be g’bentched.
A Gut Shabbos
R’ Sender Y. Kaszirer
Rosh HaYeshiva
