Cyberdov

The word ‘beracha’ appears in two incongruous contexts in the story of Yaakov’s encounter with Esav. After they reconcile, Yaakov says to Esav (33:11), “Please take my gift which was brought to you” – but he uses the word ‘birchati’, whereas one sentence earlier the gift is referred to more typically (and consistently, through the whole episode) as ‘mincha’. Professor Leibowitz suggests that this is a sort of Freudian slip – Yaakov’s conscience is still troubling him over having stolen his father Isaac’s beracha from his brother Esav. He further suggests that this is why Yaakov was so fearful of Esav, despite God’s promise that he would return safely to his homeland. And this also explains why Yaakov – who clearly had the courage to fight, as evidenced by his prolonged night-long struggle with the mysterious stranger– was so afraid of encountering Esav. He did not have a clear conscience with regard to Esav, and so did not have the same inner strength to bring to a confrontation.

I would like to further suggest that this is the meaning of the other instance of the word ‘beracha’ in this story. At the conclusion of his struggle with the stranger, Yaakov says to his adversary (32:27), “I will not release you until you have blessed me”. Why does Yaakov want a blessing? Perhaps the reason is the same. Yaakov has been carrying the burden of an illicitly-obtained blessing, and he now wishes to obtain a legitimate one. By struggling with the stranger using his own efforts, he feels that he is now entitled to receive a blessing – one that he has earned.

May we all receive our blessings through honest means – and the Torah promises us many blessings (per RCBA, Mishna Makkot 3:16…)

Filed under: