Topic #1 - Philosophy (continued)
Chapter 2 (continued)
The God of Abraham: Judaism
In Judaism, Abraham is known as ,Avraham Avinu, which means, “our Father Abraham.” This honorific signifies that he is both, the biological progenitor of the Jews, and the Father of modern Judaism. In other words, Abraham was the first Jew. His story is traditionally read during the five weekly Torah readings.
According to Jewish traditions, God created heaven and earth for the sake of the piety of Abraham. After the Great Flood, he was the only one among the pious to solemnly swear to never forsake the Lord. Abraham studied the Ways of God in the house of Noah and Shem, continuing the line of High Priest from them. This position he passed down to his great-grandson, Levi, and his descendants in perpetuity. Also in this tradition, Abraham is one of the Three Patriarchs, along with his son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob (who would later be renamed, Israel). The Jewish faith remembers these three by referring to God as, “Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchaq, ve Elohei Ya’aqov,” or, “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob,” and never the God of any other prophets or luminaries in Judaism.
When Isaac was 60 years old and had been married to Rebekah for 20 years, Jacob and his twin brother, Esau were born. During the pregnancy, Rebekah was uncomfortable and went before God to ask why she was suffering. It was then she was given the prophecy that twins were fighting in her womb and that they would continue to be at odds with each other their entire lives, even after they became two separate nations. The prophecy also said, “one people will be stronger than the other, and the elder will end up serving the younger.” According to Jewish tradition, Esau was born first, covered with red hair as if he were wearing a hairy garment. Jacob came out immediately after, grasping Esau’s heel. According to Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew name, Ya’aqov, means, “heel-catcher” or “supplanter.”
As they matured, the boys exhibited very different personalities. Esau became a skilled hunter and a man of the outdoors, while Jacob was content to remain at home among the tents. Their parents loved both of their children, but Isaac favored Esau, while Rebekah favored Jacob. When they were older, Jacob was preparing some stew when Esau came in and declared that he was famished. He asked for some of the ‘red stew’ from Jacob, who said that he would give Esau some, provided Esau sold Jacob his birthright as firstborn. Esau said, “Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?” He then swore to Jacob, selling his birthright for the price of a bowl of stew.
Years later, Isaac’s vision was failing him as he got older. He called for Esau, telling him to gather his bow and quiver and go get some wild game for him. He told Esau to, “prepare me the kind of tasty meal I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.” Rebekah heard this and, remembering the prophecy that her older son would serve her younger, realized that this must mean Jacob would receive Isaac’s blessing. So, after Esau left for the hunt, she went to Jacob and told him what she’d heard. She told Jacob to gather two goats from the flock so that she could prepare a meal for Isaac, then he would serve it to his father and receive the blessing for himself. In spite of his fears that Isaac would recognize the deception because Esau was much hairier than he was, he did as his mother instructed. When the savory meat was ready, Rebekah dressed Jacob in Esau’s garments and laid garments across his arms and neck to simulate Esau’s hairy skin. Isaac was suspicious because of Jacob’s voice, but the disguise ultimately worked and Isaac blessed Jacob, saying, “May God give you Heaven’s dew and Earth’s richness-an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and may those who bless you be blessed.” Esau was furious because Jacob had first taken his birthright, and then his blessing, so he decided that, upon his father’s death, he would kill his brother. When she heard about what Esau said, Rebekah sent Jacob to live with her brother, Laban the Aramean, in Harran until enough time had passed for Esau to forget what Jacob had done. (Genesis Chapter 27)
Next time, we'll continue our look at Judaism with more on Jacob. Until then, be well!
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