parsha bit: Toldot

[cellio]

From Genesis Rabbah: Rabbi Pinchas said in the name of Rabbi Levi: Yaakov and Esav were like myrtle and a rosebush growing side by side. The grown mrtyle has a pleasing aroma; the rosebush grows thorns. Yaakov understood that answers come through patience and learning; Esav sought instant gratification.

(The original also said that Yaakov studied torah while Esav became an idolator. The sages project torah study -- even formalized, with yeshivot! -- all the way back to the patriarchs, long before the giving of torah.)

Comments

Esau was a into instant gratification...

[sfromriverdale.livejournal.com]

That is why he sold his birth right for a bowl of lentils. He was so hungry he wouldn't wait so instead he sold his birth right for bread and lentil stew. Also Instead of marrying whom his parents wanted he married the daughters of Caanan. I'm guessing he couldn't wait and wanted what he what he wanted right away. Esau was a slave to food and lust.