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Genesis 27:15 - Deception for destiny's sake?

Genesis 27:15 - בראשית 27:15

Hebrew Text

וַתִּקַּח רִבְקָה אֶת־בִּגְדֵי עֵשָׂו בְּנָהּ הַגָּדֹל הַחֲמֻדֹת אֲשֶׁר אִתָּהּ בַּבָּיִת וַתַּלְבֵּשׁ אֶת־יַעֲקֹב בְּנָהּ הַקָּטָן׃

English Translation

And Rivqa took the best clothes of her eldest son ῾Esav, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Ya῾aqov her younger son:

Transliteration

Vatikach Rivka et-bigdei Esav benah hagadol hachamudot asher itah babayit vatalbesh et-Yaakov benah hakatan.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּקַּ֣ח רִ֠בְקָ֠ה אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֨י עֵשָׂ֜ו בְּנָ֤הּ הַגָּדֹל֙ הַחֲמֻדֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתָּ֖הּ בַּבָּ֑יִת וַתַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹ֖ב בְּנָ֥הּ הַקָּטָֽן׃
וַתִּקַּ֣ח רִ֠בְקָ֠ה אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֨י עֵשָׂ֜ו בְּנָ֤הּ הַגָּדֹל֙ הַחֲמֻדֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתָּ֖הּ בַּבָּ֑יִת וַתַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹ֖ב בְּנָ֥הּ הַקָּטָֽן׃

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Parasha Commentary

Rashi's Explanation of Rivka's Actions

Rashi (Bereshit 27:15) explains that these "best clothes" (בִּגְדֵי עֵשָׂו הַחֲמֻדֹת) were actually the special garments that Esav kept by his mother for when he would serve his father. These were not ordinary clothes, but precious garments that had significance in the service of Yitzchak. Rivka used these garments to help Yaakov appear as Esav in both scent and appearance.

The Significance of the Garments

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 65:16) elaborates that these garments originally belonged to Adam HaRishon and were passed down through the generations to Nimrod, then to Esav. They were considered precious because they enabled the wearer to successfully hunt (as Esav did). Rivka understood their spiritual power and used them to ensure Yaakov would receive the blessings rightfully due to him.

Ramban's Insight on Rivka's Choice

Ramban (on Bereshit 27:15) notes that Rivka specifically chose garments that were "with her in the house" to emphasize that she was acting with complete awareness and intentionality. She didn't take Esav's everyday clothes, but rather these special reserved garments that were under her supervision in the home, showing her complete involvement in this holy deception.

The Deeper Meaning of "Her Eldest Son"

The Kli Yakar points out that the Torah emphasizes these were the clothes of "her eldest son" to show that while Esav was chronologically firstborn, Rivka recognized through prophecy that Yaakov was spiritually the true firstborn who deserved both the birthright and these special garments.

Halachic Implications

  • The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 359:4) discusses cases where clothing is given conditionally, possibly alluding to this situation where the garments' transfer carried deep spiritual significance.
  • The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) explains that clothing represents external identity, and by wearing Esav's garments, Yaakov was temporarily assuming the role needed to receive the blessings while maintaining his true righteous self.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 15b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the actions of Rebekah (Rivka) and the garments of Esau (Esav), highlighting the significance of clothing in biblical narratives.
📖 Chullin 91b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the nature of the garments of Esau and their role in the deception of Isaac by Jacob (Yaakov).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Rivka dress Yaakov in Esav's clothes?
A: Rivka dressed Yaakov in Esav's clothes so that Yitzchak would mistake Yaakov for Esav when giving the blessings. The clothes had a special fragrance (Rashi on Genesis 27:15), and since Esav was known for honoring his parents by wearing fine garments, this helped convince Yitzchak it was Esav.
Q: What do we learn from Rivka's actions in this verse?
A: From Rivka's actions, we learn that she understood through prophecy (Midrash Bereishit Rabbah 67:1) that Yaakov was meant to receive the blessings, not Esav. She took initiative to ensure G-d's will would be fulfilled, even though it involved difficult measures.
Q: Why were Esav's clothes kept in Rivka's house?
A: Esav's special garments were kept in Rivka's care because they were originally from Nimrod (Midrash Tanchuma, Toledot 8) and were precious. As the matriarch, Rivka safeguarded valuable family items, and these garments were later used for an important purpose in Jewish history.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of blessings in Judaism?
A: This verse teaches that blessings in Judaism are serious spiritual matters that can shape destiny. The Torah shows how carefully the blessings were transferred to the proper recipient (Yaakov), emphasizing that spiritual truths must sometimes override surface appearances (Ramban on Genesis 27:15).
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'her younger son' in this verse?
A: The Torah emphasizes that Yaakov was 'her younger son' to show that despite being younger, he was spiritually suited to receive the blessings. This follows the pattern in Genesis where the younger son often carries the spiritual mission (Malbim on Genesis 27:15), teaching that spiritual greatness isn't determined by birth order.