Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Education Department Torah Mini Lesson Home TorahQuest Home Rebekah Teaches Jacob Domestic Arts (by Noah - Age 7 - from the Ottawa Havura) Torah Mini Lesson - Toldot (Genesis 25:19 - 28:9) Jacob/Esau/Rebekah/Isaac - Questioning the Rightness of Jacob's and Rebekah's Actions by Rabbi Shai Gluskin It is natural to question the behavior of Jacob and Rebekah. One of the most powerful things we can do for our children is affirm the legitimacy of these questions. These are our ancestors; they don't have to be perfect to gain our interest. In fact, they may be more interesting because they are flawed. By studying these characters and trying to figure them out, we learn more about ourselves. Take time to discuss birthright and blessing. These concepts may be unfamiliar to the children but are key concepts in these stories. In what ways do these traditions express themselves today, if at all? Future Revealed to Rebekah "And the children struggled together within her; and she said, 'Why is it happening to me like this', and she went to ask God. God said to her, 'Two nations are in your womb, and two nations shall come out of you. One nation will be stronger than the other. The elder shall serve the younger.'"(Genesis 25:22-23) Jacob Reluctant "And Jacob went and fetched [the animals for her to cook], and brought them to his mother" (Gen. 27:14). He did so reluctantly, bowed down with distress, and weeping. (Genesis Rabba 65:15, quoted more fully in The Book of Legends by Bialik, teaching number 64 on page 44). Jacob Not a Deceiver "Jacob was a plain (tam) man, one who lived in tents" (Genesis 25:27). [Jacob] was not expert in all these things for his heart was his mouth. One who is not ingenious at deceiving people is called tam, plain, simple (Rashi to Genesis 25:27). Jacob's Deceit Comes Back to Haunt Him "And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah." Said he (Jacob) to her (Leah): "You are a deceiver and the daughter of a deceiver!" "Is there a teacher without pupils," she retorted; "did not your father call you Esau , and you answered him! So did you too call me and I answered you!" (Genesis Rabba 70:19). Questions for discussion and teaching points: In text one, which is straight from the Torah, we read that God reveals to Rebekah that her younger child shall serve the older. Does this justify her role in tricking Isaac? Do the ends justify the means? If so, under what circumstances? In text two, the midrash shows Jacob expressing sadness at participating in the lie. Does Jacob become a more likable guy if we know that he cried at the thought of deceiving his father? Discuss the expression in text 3 above, "His heart was in his mouth." What do you think that means? Does this description seem accurate? Rashi describes Jacob as a man who doesn't know how to deceive. This is proof that Rashi too is wondering about Jacob's character. Though Rashi seems focussed on making Jacob look good, the fact that he is writing this shows us that he has some concerns about his character. Children who are asking these questions can be brought in to Torah study by hearing, "Rashi asked the same question you are asking, 1000 years ago." Children may start out alienated: "This text is supposed to teach us how to behave and one of the main characters is deceitful?" By showing them that their question is legitimate, they can be brought close to Torah. Text four shows that Jacob actually paid a price for his deceptive ways. Once again, a respected voice of our tradition acknowledges the flaws in Jacob's character. Have you ever experienced, "What goes around, comes around."? Have you ever noticed that a friend or a sibling has learned something from how you have acted? Try to think of times when you were both a good role model and a bad role model.