Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

And I loved you, said G-d… and I loved Yitzchak and I hated Eisav." (Haftara, Milachi 1, 2-3)

Who deserves honor?

On the words in the Haftara "and I loved Yitzchak and I hated Eisav" our great distinguished leader the Ben Ish Chai says – Yakov Avinu and Eisav argued between themselves about who deserves honor first – Is it Eisav because he is the eldest born or is it Yakov Avinu because he was a Torah scholar (as it says, "And Yakov was a single-minded man, dwelling in tents")?

The Ben Ish Chai explains the depth of the argument that was between them and he says that Eisav turned to his brother Yakov and said to him: It says in the Torah "Honor your father and mother" – כבד את אביך ואת אמך - and our Rabbis ob'm learned from here that the addition of the word את comes "to include your older brother". Therefore – you must honor me! Yakov Avinu answered him and said: But it also says in the Torah "You should fear G-d your G-d" – את ה' אלקיך תירא" and our Rabbis ob'm learned from here that את includes Torah scholars. Therefore, you must honor me.

In order to get an answer for this "and she (Rivka) went to enquire from G-d" – Rivka went to ask G-d which את is the decisive one? Is it theאת  to include Torah scholars as Yakov says or is it the את to include your older brother as Eisav says. To this G-d answered, "Two nations are in your womb and two manners of government will separate themselves from your inwards… and the greater will serve the lesser." In other words, "You should fear G-d your G-d" to include Torah scholars is more important than the birthright.

This is also what is alluded to in the Haftara "I loved Yakov and I hated Eisav". G-d says "I loved Yitzchak- I loved the interpretation of the word את that Yakov brings but "I hated Eisav" – I hated the interpretation that Eisav gives for the word את.

SHABBAT SHALOM!!!!