"Sell me your birthright". Pretty hard bargain for a bowl of soup, but nevertheless one that Jacob demands. But why should Jacob be so keen on the birthright? Why should he demand something which was not his by birth? Was this bargaining with his brother, on the verge of death itself, not an evil act? It would certainly seem that way at first, but reflection on the lifestyles of the two brothers helps us study this further.

Esau was a man of the hunt. He killed animals, and failed to enjoy the "finer things in life". Jacob, by contrast, was a quiet tent dweller, more respectful. When man is commanded in Genesis I, 27 to have dominion over every living creature, we look at how the two brothers followed this command. Jacob tended to the flocks, caring for his animals. Esau, on the other hand, used this dominion for enjoyment and misused his power.

Hence it is not surprising that the birthright that Isaac was to give was so easily passed over by Esau to Jacob in Genesis XXV, 34. Esau saw no gain in the matter, he overindulged and hunted for pleasure. Isaac, the man of peace, could see the long-term benefits of the birthright, though, and felt it was justified in being given to him.

We draw parallels with ourselves. By overindulgence, we often fail to reap the long term benefits of a course of actions, often going for the short-term pleasure. But patience must be part of our lives - indeed the wait for Moshiach is the embodiment of this patience - if we are to gain benefits in the long term for ourselves and for others.