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Yitzchak married Rivka and only twenty years later G-d gave them sons,

Rivka had a vision that she was having twins – the progenitors of the two nations are at enmity.

The elder son Esav was Yitzhak’s favourite, the younger son Yaakov was the mother’s favourite,

But a choice had to be made, the people of Israel needed a single leader.

Esav grew up to be a ‘skilful hunter’ and a skilful farmer,

Ya’akov, ‘a man of integrity’, devoted all his time to study in the tents.

According to the law of the time, Esav was the owner of the primogeniture status,

But G-d saw fit to make Yaakov the heir apparent.

When Esav was hungry, he sold his primogeniture to Yaakov for a pot of lentil soup,

Rivka put her husband’s vigilance to sleep, and Yitzhak blessed Yaakov for his dominion.

Esau, having learnt, was grieved and did not recognise his younger brother’s superiority over him,

Yaakov, avoiding his brother’s revenge, left home and went to Haran to Rivka’s brother.

All Yitzchak could do for the weeping Esav was to bless him,

That the eldest son would live by his sword and every time,

Yaakov would lose his father’s favour before Esav,

Esav’s anger at his younger brother Ya’akov over the loss of his birthright never abated.