Esau and Jacob were twin brothers. Esau spent his days hunting in the fields and his brother, Jacob, spent his time studying and learning. One day, Jacob was making a stew when his brother Esau came in from a long day of being in the field and...
"Esau said to Jacob, 'Pour ... me ... some of that red stuff for I am exhausted.' Jacob said, 'Sell ... your birthright to me.' ....Esau said, '...I am going to die, so of what use to me is a birthright?' " (Genesis 25:30-32)
A LIFE LESSON
Why would someone sell his birthright, which was worth an incalculable amount both spiritually and monetarily, for a bowl of stew? Esau gladly did so and then justified it because he was one day going to pass away.
Sadly, this is the similar rationale we use ourselves when we want to engage in any unhealthy behavior. We all live with a constant inner struggle between having immediate gratification or thinking about the future. But healthy decisions can only be made when someone lives with the awareness that his choices have a direct impact on his life. This "tomorrow filter" is what all of your desired actions need to pass through.
Many smokers rationalize their habit by declaring that, "we're all going to die of something ... I might as well enjoy myself." If you push that faulty logic a little further, they might as well live their entire lives just as recklessly. How about only eating foods that are loaded with sugar or fat? Or maybe experiment with drugs after a long, hard day.
The problem with all of this is there is a tomorrow and it's precisely how you live today that will determine this tomorrow. Pointing out someone you know who never got sick and lived to 129 years old on a diet of whiskey, steak and cigars doesn't give you the freedom to live recklessly and without limits. In fact, it's actually these stories that give you true free will to choose a correct and healthy path.
Esau cared only about what he wanted now. There was no thinking about tomorrow. This kind of thinking can lead someone to do anything he feels like doing and then proudly and confidently justify his behavior.
You can only truly feel great when you sacrifice short-term pleasure by investing in your future and doing what's right. Sacrificing what's right for your immediate pleasure ultimately makes you feel lousy. And that's the great irony.
God set up a system that demands that we grow. And this can only happen through fighting temptations and doing what's right. Then the lasting joy you'll own forever will be on a stratospheric higher level than the temporary and fleeting pleasure you passed up. And the more you're able to do this, the happier you'll be. Today and tomorrow.
(12) Anonymous, November 29, 2016 12:07 PM
Excellent article and very well written! Thanks for posting!
(11) Anonymous, November 10, 2015 1:46 PM
Great article! Thanks for posting!
(10) Anonymous, November 18, 2014 1:25 PM
Great!
This is great! Thank you so much for posting this. This will help me a lot in my daily life, and thank G-d for Torah, Judaism, and those who help spread His word, like you :-)
(9) j, October 27, 2013 7:33 AM
Disagree
First, what of the behavior of Jacob? Perhaps, reprehensible? His reward was that he feared his brother for a long time and with good cause.
(8) Anonymous, November 16, 2012 4:08 AM
Thank you for sharing! This is a great dvar torah and lesson for life.
(7) Avantika Gaur, November 12, 2012 7:05 AM
Just follow your inner voice which is directly emanating from GOD and you'll be on the right track.
Its a nice article. I would like to add something to it. See God is always ready to direct,guide,help us in all possible ways but we are very rarely in contact with the superpower and that is why we are caught in trouble. But just imagine if we are able to maintain a constant contact with our soul then nothing will go wrong .
(6) Kimberly, December 2, 2011 8:15 AM
G_d has a way of knowing words needed
Even with no religious affiliation, G_d speaks to all … I agree with Catherine, the demand of growth is placed in front of us all at some time or another throughout our lives, and it is how we handle these times that we find ourselfs closer to G-d or farther away
(5) b.w., November 24, 2011 6:37 PM
We should be thoughtful
When we more carefully consider our decisions, we have a clearer picture of who we are (our heart condition) and so do any onlookers. Actions speak volums! Thank you; good reminder.
(4) Jimmy, November 20, 2009 2:51 PM
Knowledge
Great article & interesting feedback. Unless an individual chooses to use knowledge, it is just something on paper. The use of knowledge is power and learn from others mistakes or you are bound to relive them.
(3) Anonymous, November 25, 2008 8:00 PM
I don't agree.
Esau had just made an excuse and you need to stay in the moment! Esau did not care for anything more than his stomach, unlike is brother Jacob. Esau was just making an excuse, and I belive we need to think about affects, but we don't need to worry about the future.
Charles S, November 21, 2011 2:55 AM
I agree, Esau is actually making sense here
What Esau is saying is that he has no need of a birthright because his descendants (Edom) will not be eternal (unlike Jacob's descendants who will be as numerous as the sands) and that therefore the "red stuff" (an oblique reference to Edom although its literal meaning is the lentil soup) is more valuable to him.
(2) catherine manna, November 4, 2007 4:48 PM
I agree!
God set up a system that demands that we grow. And this can only happen through fighting temptations and doing what's right.
Knowledge is power!
I totally agree! we might consider this concept also, when our health is involed. By educating oursleves of newer medical technology. The ability to exercise our own personal options, to choose what we feel is best for us. Especially when it comes to our very own health and well being. Only you can do that, no one can do it for you. What ever the choices are that we make, also will determine the outcome Like Essau and Jacob. A "Blessings or a Malidictions". Thank you once again, awesome article.
(1) KENNETH MYERS, March 28, 2006 12:00 AM
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