A fascinating new book about
George Bush, the 41st president just went on sale. More than the
Kennedy family, one could argue that this family is truly a political dynasty. The
father grew up in New England, attended an elite private school, then an Ivy
League university, fought in WWII, and was shot down. Later, he served in
several Republican administrations; served as the Director of the CIA, as well
as a two term vice president, and a one term President. Of the three sons, the older one served as
Governor of Texas and later became a two term President. The younger son, was Governor of Florida and
is now seeking the Republican nomination for the 2016 Presidential campaign.
While there have been a father and son from the same family to serve as
President; never has there been a case where a father and two sons served as
President. When the parents, George and
Barbra Bush, were asked which of the sons was most likely to follow in their
father’s footsteps and become president, they each thought the younger son, Jeb
was going to be President. They each thought Jeb had more intellect, a greater
ability to problem-solve, and the fact that his wife was a naturalized American
citizen from Mexico and Jeb could speak Spanish, suggested that he could appeal to a
larger demographic. Jeb was a better speaker than his older brother, more
thoughtful than his older brother, and certainly had less baggage than his
older brother. However, W. had a self- deprecating sense of humor, a warmer and
more engaging personality, a folksy down to earth demeanor as opposed to his
patrician like younger brother. Needless to say, W was a much better campaigner
than his younger brother Jeb. Two brothers grow up in the same home yet the one
who follows in the father’s footsteps is the one that the father (and the
mother) think was much less qualified. The one, whom the parents think is the
most qualified to be President, is unable to connect to voters is lagging
behind in many early primary and caucus states.
This week, we read from Parsha
is Toldot. We read of the birth of Esav and Yaakov. Even though they were
twins, we learn that these boys couldn’t be any more different. Esav is a
hunter Ish Sadeh – a man of the field, an outdoorsman,
Yaakov is Ish Tam v’Yashav b’Ohalo –
a simple man who resides in his tent.
Yaakov is concerned with the Birthright, receiving blessings and the spiritual
world. Esav is concerned with eating, drinking, hunting and the physical world.
We learn that just like his father, Avraham, who experienced a famine in the
land, Yitzchak also experienced a famine in the land. Unlike his father,
Yitzchak does not go down to Egypt. Yitzchak remains in the land, grows
wealthy, and re-opens the wells that had gone dry in his father’s day. The
narrative then re-focuses upon Yitzchak and his family. Yitzchak, sensing his
imminent death, wants to bless Esav. Rivka overhears this and tells Yaakov to
pose as Esav in order to receive the blessing. Yaakov listens to his mother,
and dresses as Esav. Yaakov receives Yitzchak’s blessing. Esav discovers that
he lost out on the blessing and he and threatens to kill Yaakov. The Parsha
concludes with Rivka telling Jacob to go to her brother’s home and convincing
Yitzchak that Yaakov needs to leave home in order to find a wife. Yaakov
receives his another blessing, the blessing of the Brit, the Covenant that God
made with Avraham and Yitzchak, a blessing that was never intended for
Esav. Yaakov leaves home. Esav moves
away as well and decides to dwell with his uncle Ishmael among the Canaanites.
Two boys grew up in the same
home with the same parents and instilled with the same same values. Although
the parents disagreed as to who was going to be “successful”; by the end of the
Parsha, it is quite clear that the blessing that Yitzchak gave Yaakov prior to
Yaakov’s departure was always intended for Yaakov. So to some extent, both
parents agreed as to who was the rightful inheritor of the Abrahamic Covenant.
Right or wrong, the parents had definite opinions about their sons’, their
abilities, and their future success.
Much of that opinion is based upon how each child responds to life’s
stimuli. The Torah doesn’t really tell us much about their respective youth, Va’Yigdalu HaN’Arim, “And the boys grew up.” (Gen25: 27) R’ Levi said: At first they were like a
myrtle and a wild rose growing side by side. But when they grew up the former
yielded to its natural fragrance, and the latter its thorns. So, for the first
thirteen years, both Yaakov and Esav went to school and came home from school.
But at the end of thirteen years, one went to houses of study and the other to
shrines of idolatry.” (Genesis Rabbah 63:10). The Sifsei Chachamim
clarifies that until their Bar Mitzvah, they were nearly identical. However
after their Bar Mitzvah, essential differences became evident. By the time they
reached Bar Mitzvah, they now can begin to formulate their own opinions,
develop their own attitudes, respond to their likes and dislikes. By the time
the boys reach Bar Mitzvah, the parents can see a personality develop and take
root.
As
parents, we always think our perceptions of our children are the best indicators
of an outcome. However it would appear
that parents’ perceptions are not always based upon the context at the time but
rather upon an ideal. From Yitzchak’s perspective Esav was a fine son, and
worthy of a blessing because he meticulously fulfilled the value of Kibud Av – Respecting the father.
However as meticulous as Esav was about that particular value, it did
not make him fit for The Blessing (Abraham’s Covenant). From Bush 41 and his
wife Barbra, Jeb might be the more intellectually gifted than W, but so far he
has not demonstrated the personality necessary campaign for votes. Is he
successful? Certainly but perhaps he may not be successful as defined by the
accomplishments of his father or brother. Two brothers grow up in the same
house, same rules, same expectations, yet each respond to the stimuli of life
in a different manner. Those responses are the indicators of personality, of
attitude, of outlook and it is what makes each child unique even when living in
the same environment.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
No comments:
Post a Comment