Could any of us be so blind that we would not be able to tell our children apart? In describing Isaac’s blindness, the Torah uses a curious turn of phrase. A literal reading of the text says that “his eyes had dimmed from seeing,” not that he was blind due to advanced age. We know that Jacob has purchased the birthright from Esau, and that the elder brother is not suited to be the leader of the next generation of Israel. We also know that G-d has clued Rebecca in on the plan; Jacob will emerge as the next patriarch of the family. But there is a level of plausible deniability which needs to be maintained. The rabbis and the Midrash all seem to agree that Isaac’s blindness is too convenient, and occurs for symbolic, as well as practical reasons. Among the suppositions: the smoke from Esau’s wives’ idolatrous offerings temporarily obscured Isaac’s vision, the tears of the angels who wept at the binding of Isaac had clouded his vision, that G-d simply removed Isaac’s sight long enough for Jacob to receive the blessing, or that Isaac’s blindness was a fitting punishment for his inability to properly instruct or punish Esau’s sinful and violent ways. The irony is that the only character in the entire scenario who is truly in the dark is the one who should have been in control from the start. Isaac’s shortsightedness is a lesson for us all. It is all to easy for us to be blinded, distracted, misdirected, or subverted. Unlike Isaac, it is incumbent upon all of us to make certain that we have our eyes open at all times, knowing what G-d wants from us, and doing our share as part of the Divine plan.
Shabbat ShalomRabbi/Hazzan David B. Sislen
Shabbat ShalomRabbi/Hazzan David B. Sislen
