Bad Boy

A Jewish grandmother is babysitting her grandson at the beach. He has his pail and shovel and is digging in the sand on the ocean’s edge like any child would. All of a sudden a gigantic wave barrels in from the ocean, scoops up the child, his pail and shovels and sweeps them out to sea.
The horrified grandmother shrieks in horror and starts pleading with God: “Please, please my grandson, save him! You’re a merciful God, and he is only a child.” Finally a gigantic wave comes in from the ocean and deposits the little boy with his pail and shovel exactly where he was before. The grandmother looks him over with great relief and then she yells at God: “Where is his hat? He was wearing a hat!!”
***
Twenty years had past since their marriage, and they were still childless. Isaac (57) and Rebecca (23) had prayed and begged to be blessed with children, and, after much tears and sorrow, G-d heard their prayers, and Rebecca finally conceived.
One day, as the proud mother-to-be was taking a walk, the strangest thing happened: as she walked past the local synagogue, she felt the baby kick and twist as if he were begging to be released.
She resumed her walk and soon passed by a house of idol worship. Once again, the baby started dancing and kicking.
Totally confused, she paid a visit to the local sage, requesting an explanation for the strange phenomenon (was her baby schizophrenic?).
“Don’t worry,” she was told. Growing within you are not one, but two children – two nations with different interests and personalities. They will forever struggle, yet, in the end, the firstborn will serve his younger brother.”
*
The above is the story of the birth of Esau the big brother and Jacob the younger one. If we study it in Talmudic fashion, it seems a strange tale indeed, for how can it be said that while still tied with the biblical cord to its mother, a fetus could already be inclined to evil? And, on the other hand, if already at conception one’s future is determined, how can one be liable and punished for his misdoings and sins? It’s not his fault!
*
In nature and personality, human beings can generally be divided into two categories. One is the spiritual inclined, serious and academic personality – the rosy-cheeked, precocious child. The second, more common one is the down-to-earth “enjoy life” type, one who is naturally inclined towards animalistic enjoyment and pleasure.
Each one is unique and necessary, yet, if one thinks about it, there is something special about the “struggling” guy:
Had G-d desired only “perfect” people, He should have created a world of angels, a universe of goodie-goodies. But He didn’t, for G-d desires struggle. He loves the constant battle of good and evil, the struggle with good days and bad ones, the smile and the tears, the constant climbing (and falling) that characterizes one who tries to live a productive life.
I’m sure you’ve experienced situations in which a loved one was debating a decision, and you decided to mix out, letting him or her work it out alone. You were testing his conviction and self-motivation, challenging his courage and maturity, and looking to see if he would stand up for that which was right.
How proud you were when your loved one proved worthy of your trust! And probably, even if he or she disappointed your expectations, you nevertheless did not regret the independence you gave that individual. “Maybe next time,” you thought.
So that is the story of Jacob and Esau, the tale of the studious fellow and the trouble maker. How unfortunate that Esau did not utilize his nature to struggle with evil and overcome it; instead, he decided to give in to his animalistic side. What a shame, for had Esau taken the bull by the horns, he would have reached higher than his brother Jacob.
For, as we know, struggle makes man!