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 National Young Leadership
The Jewish Federations of North America
Parshat Toldot

November 21, 2014

This week's Shabbat Message was written by NYL Engagement & Orientation and newly announced Retreat Co-chair Michelle Hirsch from Cleveland.

Dear Chevre,

In this week’s Torah portion, Toldot, we learn about the birthright story of Jacob and Esau. After Isaac and Rebecca’s twenty-year struggle to have children, G-d listens to their prayers and gifts them twin boys. Rebecca experiences a difficult pregnancy as the “children struggle inside her”, and G d tells her that “there are two nations in her womb,” and that the younger will prevail over the elder.
 
Esau emerges first; Jacob is born clutching Esau’s heel. Esau grows up to be a rough and cunning hunter, a man of the field. Jacob is a wholesome man, a dweller in the tents spending his days studying. Isaac favors Esau while Rebecca’s love for Jacob is quite clear. Returning exhausted and hungry from the hunt one day, Esau is entranced by the salivating aromas coming from Jacob’s tent. Esau begs and pleads with Jacob to give him some of the stew he is cooking. Jacob offers to grant his request for stew only if Esau agrees to sell him his birthright in exchange. Impulsively, Esau makes the deal and quickly indulges his taste buds, satisfying his growling stomach. Does Esau realize what he gives up for a moment of culinary bliss? Later on, Esau remorsefully regrets his rash decision but by then it is simply too late.
 
Many times in life we find ourselves having to make a choice as to whether we are willing to commit to the kinds of things and behavior that will have deep lasting value, or if we are prepared to choose something exciting that comes along in the spur of the moment.
 
G-d wants us to be 'long run' people and choose long-term gratification. The really good things are worth waiting for and usually require hard work and patience to attain. Esau was caught up in the aromatic temptation right in front of his nose, but the Torah teaches us that the things that are truly most valuable in life are not always nearby, nor do they always come right away.
 
As young Jewish leaders we face these struggles on a daily basis at home, work, and through our philanthropic endeavors. There is always some form of extemporaneous “stew” to lure our appetites. It is not always easy to respectfully decline or confidently opt-out of that quick-fix. It is not always easy to put in hard work and then wait graciously for a time to shine. Yet, the incredible satisfaction you feel from patience and valor always beats the hollow pit in your stomach that follows an impulsive regret – no matter how loud your stomach may growl.
 
May this be the week your long-term endurance and fortitude pay off to reveal something spectacular!

To you and your family, Shabbat Shalom,


Michelle