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Genesis 27:1 - Blindness sparks destiny's deception?

Genesis 27:1 - בראשית 27:1

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי כִּי־זָקֵן יִצְחָק וַתִּכְהֶיןָ עֵינָיו מֵרְאֹת וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־עֵשָׂו בְּנוֹ הַגָּדֹל וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו בְּנִי וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו הִנֵּנִי׃

English Translation

And it came to pass, that when Yiżĥaq was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called ῾Esav his eldest son, and said to him, My son: and he said to him, Here I am.

Transliteration

Vay'hi ki-zaken Yitzchak vatikh'heina einav mire'ot vayikra et-Esav b'no hagadol vayomer elav b'ni vayomer elav hineni.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּֽי־זָקֵ֣ן יִצְחָ֔ק וַתִּכְהֶ֥יןָ עֵינָ֖יו מֵרְאֹ֑ת וַיִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־עֵשָׂ֣ו <b>׀</b> בְּנ֣וֹ הַגָּדֹ֗ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ בְּנִ֔י וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו הִנֵּֽנִי׃
וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּֽי־זָקֵ֣ן יִצְחָ֔ק וַתִּכְהֶ֥יןָ עֵינָ֖יו מֵרְאֹ֑ת וַיִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־עֵשָׂ֣ו ׀ בְּנ֣וֹ הַגָּדֹ֗ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ בְּנִ֔י וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו הִנֵּֽנִי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Dimming of Yitzchak's Eyes

The verse states that Yitzchak's eyes "were dim, so that he could not see." Rashi (Bereshit 27:1) explains that this blindness resulted from three causes:

  • The smoke from the idolatrous offerings of Esav's wives (based on Bereshit Rabbah 65:4)
  • As a fulfillment of the words "the elder shall serve the younger" (Bereshit 25:23), so that Yaakov could receive the blessings
  • To protect Yitzchak from seeing Esav's wickedness, as stated in Midrash Tanchuma (Toldot 8)

Calling Esav "His Eldest Son"

The Torah emphasizes that Yitzchak called Esav "his eldest son." The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 27:1) notes that this phrasing indicates Yitzchak's intention to give the firstborn blessings to Esav, despite Yaakov having purchased the birthright. This demonstrates Yitzchak's special affection for Esav, as explained by Ramban (Bereshit 25:28).

The Exchange of "My Son" and "Here I Am"

The simple dialogue where Yitzchak says "My son" and Esav responds "Here I am" carries deeper meaning. The Sforno (Bereshit 27:1) explains that Yitzchak's address showed paternal love, while Esav's response demonstrated his eagerness to receive the blessings. The Malbim adds that this exchange reveals Esav's hypocrisy, as he presented himself as dutiful while concealing his true nature.

Divine Providence in Yitzchak's Blindness

The Or HaChaim (Bereshit 27:1) teaches that Yitzchak's blindness was part of Hashem's plan to ensure the blessings would go to Yaakov. Though Yitzchak intended to bless Esav, his physical limitation became the means through which the proper spiritual order was maintained, as Yaakov was the more righteous son destined to continue the covenant.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 28a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the aging of righteous individuals and the dimming of Isaac's eyes.
📖 Chullin 60b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the reasons for Isaac's blindness, linking it to the smoke from Esau's sacrifices to idols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yitzchak's eyes become dim in his old age?
A: According to Rashi (Genesis 27:1), Yitzchak's eyes became dim from the smoke of the idolatrous offerings that Esav's wives would bring. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 65:6) also suggests it was so that Yaakov could receive the blessings, showing Divine Providence at work.
Q: Why did Yitzchak call Esav first if he intended to give the blessings to Yaakov?
A: The Torah shows that Yitzchak was acting according to natural perception - Esav was the firstborn and appeared to be the one carrying out his father's wishes (like hunting for him). However, Rivka knew through prophecy that Yaakov was meant to receive the blessings (Rashi on Genesis 27:4). This teaches that sometimes things aren't as they appear on the surface.
Q: What is the significance of Esav answering 'Hineni' ('Here I am') to his father?
A: Saying 'Hineni' shows respect and readiness to fulfill his father's request. The Talmud (Kiddushin 31b) teaches that honoring parents is extremely important, and even Esav - who had many faults - showed this basic respect to his father. This teaches that we should always be ready to honor our parents.
Q: How does this verse relate to the importance of blessings in Judaism?
A: This begins the story of the transmission of the patriarchal blessings, showing how carefully our ancestors treated blessings. The Rambam (Hilchot Berachot 1:4) teaches that blessings have real spiritual power, and this episode demonstrates why we must be careful with our words and intentions when giving blessings.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yitzchak being old and visually impaired?
A: The Sages teach that physical limitations don't diminish a person's spiritual greatness. Despite his blindness, Yitzchak remained a patriarch through whom G-d's covenant continued. This teaches us to look beyond physical appearances and recognize the inner spiritual reality (Talmud, Nedarim 64b).