VBM A Revolution in the Patriarchs’ Way of Life From Avraham to Yitzchak By Rav Yoel Bin-Nun
[1]The greatest of our commentators, the Ibn Ezra and the Ramban, note something seemingly strange, but nevertheless truly important, regarding the standard of living in the home of the patriarch Yitzchak (Bereishit 25:34). The Ramban writes as follows:
And R. Avraham [Ibn Ezra] is very wrong here, saying that he [Esav] despised the birthright because he saw that his father had no wealth. [And Ibn Ezra adds:] Many have wondered: But surely Avraham left him great wealth, as if they never saw a very rich man in his younger years coming to poverty in his old age. And the proof is that Yitzchak loved Esav because of his venison; and if there was much food in his father's house, and he was distinguished in his eyes, he would not have sold his birthright for pottage. And if his father ate delicacies every day, why did he say to him: "And bring me venison" (Bereishit 27:7)? And why did Yaakov not have costly garments? And why didn't his mother give him silver and gold for the road, as it is stated: "And You will give me bread to eat and a garment to put on" (Bereishit 28:2)? And why did she not send him money, seeing that she loved him, that he had to tend sheep?… Thus far his arguments.
And I wonder who blinded his mind in this matter! For Avraham left him [Yitzchak] great wealth, and he immediately lost that fortune prior to this incident, and for that reason [in his opinion], he [Esav] despised the birthright… And afterwards, he [Yitzchak] once again became wealthy in the land of the Pelishtim to the point that he became very great, and the Pelishtim were jealous of him. And afterwards he returned to his poverty and desired his son's venison and delicacies. This is nothing but ridiculous! And furthermore the verse states: "And it came to pass after the death of Avraham, that God blessed Yitzchak his son" (Bereishit 25:1), and blessing involves added wealth and property and honor. Where is the blessing if he lost his father's wealth and became impoverished? And afterwards [it says]: "And I will be with you, and I will bless you" (Bereishit 26:3). Did he become rich and then afterwards poor?… But [in truth,] Esav's despising of the birthright was due to the cruelty of his heart… And he did not give Yaakov money, because he was fleeing, and he left the country by himself without his brother's knowledge…
[1]The greatest of our commentators, the Ibn Ezra and the Ramban, note something seemingly strange, but nevertheless truly important, regarding the standard of living in the home of the patriarch Yitzchak (Bereishit 25:34). The Ramban writes as follows:
And R. Avraham [Ibn Ezra] is very wrong here, saying that he [Esav] despised the birthright because he saw that his father had no wealth. [And Ibn Ezra adds:] Many have wondered: But surely Avraham left him great wealth, as if they never saw a very rich man in his younger years coming to poverty in his old age. And the proof is that Yitzchak loved Esav because of his venison; and if there was much food in his father's house, and he was distinguished in his eyes, he would not have sold his birthright for pottage. And if his father ate delicacies every day, why did he say to him: "And bring me venison" (Bereishit 27:7)? And why did Yaakov not have costly garments? And why didn't his mother give him silver and gold for the road, as it is stated: "And You will give me bread to eat and a garment to put on" (Bereishit 28:2)? And why did she not send him money, seeing that she loved him, that he had to tend sheep?… Thus far his arguments.
And I wonder who blinded his mind in this matter! For Avraham left him [Yitzchak] great wealth, and he immediately lost that fortune prior to this incident, and for that reason [in his opinion], he [Esav] despised the birthright… And afterwards, he [Yitzchak] once again became wealthy in the land of the Pelishtim to the point that he became very great, and the Pelishtim were jealous of him. And afterwards he returned to his poverty and desired his son's venison and delicacies. This is nothing but ridiculous! And furthermore the verse states: "And it came to pass after the death of Avraham, that God blessed Yitzchak his son" (Bereishit 25:1), and blessing involves added wealth and property and honor. Where is the blessing if he lost his father's wealth and became impoverished? And afterwards [it says]: "And I will be with you, and I will bless you" (Bereishit 26:3). Did he become rich and then afterwards poor?… But [in truth,] Esav's despising of the birthright was due to the cruelty of his heart… And he did not give Yaakov money, because he was fleeing, and he left the country by himself without his brother's knowledge…
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