Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Yitzchak (Isaac) ask to feel Yaakov (Jacob) if he thought he was Esav (Esau)?
A: Yitzchak was old and his eyesight was weak (Genesis 27:1), so he couldn't see clearly. He relied on touch to identify his son. According to Rashi, Yitzchak suspected something was unusual because Yaakov's voice sounded different, but the feel of the goat skins (which Rivka had put on Yaakov) made him seem like Esav, who was hairy (Genesis 27:11-12, 16).
Q: What can we learn from this interaction between Yitzchak and Yaakov?
A: The Midrash teaches that this event was part of Hashem's plan for Yaakov to receive the blessings, as he was the more spiritually worthy son (Rashi on Genesis 27:19). It also shows the importance of parental blessings in Jewish tradition and how appearances can be deceiving—Yitzchak focused on the spiritual reality beyond physical traits.
Q: Why did Yitzchak say 'my son' twice in this verse ('feel thee, my son... my son Esav')?
A: Rashi explains that Yitzchak was expressing doubt—he sensed something unusual. The repetition shows his hesitation; he wasn't entirely convinced this was Esav despite the physical similarities. The Torah often repeats words to convey emotional intensity or uncertainty in a situation.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of blessings in Judaism?
A: This moment highlights the gravity of blessings in Jewish tradition. The Rambam (Hilchot Berachot) teaches that blessings have spiritual power, and Yitzchak's inability to revoke the blessing later (Genesis 27:33) shows they are irrevocable once given. This established the importance of thoughtful speech and intentionality in blessings.
Q: Why didn't Yitzchak recognize Yaakov's voice?
A: Rashi (Genesis 27:22) explains that Yaakov and Esav actually had similar voices, but Yaakov spoke more respectfully, saying 'my father' (Genesis 27:18-19), while Esav would say 'my father' only once (Genesis 27:31). Yitzchak detected a slight difference in tone, which made him suspicious.
The Context of Yitzchak's Request
This verse (Bereshit 27:21) occurs during the pivotal moment when Yitzchak, sensing something unusual, asks Yaakov to come closer so he can verify his identity. Rashi explains that Yitzchak suspected something was amiss because Yaakov's voice sounded like Yaakov's, yet his hands felt like Esav's (due to the goat skins Yaakov wore). This discrepancy caused Yitzchak to seek further confirmation through touch.
The Significance of Physical Touch
The Ramban notes that Yitzchak's reliance on touch rather than voice alone highlights his physical blindness, which the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 65:10) connects to the tears shed by the angels when Esav married idolatrous women. The Or HaChaim adds that Yitzchak's request to "feel" Yaakov was an attempt to discern his spiritual essence, as touch can reveal deeper truths beyond superficial appearances.
Yaakov's Response and the Nature of Truth
The Talmud (Makkot 23b) discusses the complexity of Yaakov's actions in this narrative, emphasizing that sometimes a slight deviation from absolute truth is permitted for the sake of peace or greater good. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) explains that Yaakov's response was not a simple deception but a fulfillment of Rivka's prophecy (Bereshit 25:23) and Divine will, as Yaakov was the rightful heir to the blessings.
Esav's Character and Yitzchak's Uncertainty