Kabbalah Library

233) “These are the generations of Esau.” The sons of Esau were not counted in the life of Isaac, as were the sons of Jacob. It is written, “And Isaac breathed his last and died,” and afterwards, it is written, “These are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.” They were not counted in the life of Isaac because only Jacob and his sons are in Isaac’s lot and share. Because of that, Jacob and his sons—which are the part of the Creator—were counted, but with Esau, who is not on the side of faith, the writing calculated after Isaac died, and then his part was separated from the Kedusha unto another place.

234) After Isaac died and Esau parted to his side, it is written, “Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob.” He left for Jacob the principal, as well as the profit. He left him the enslavement of Egypt, which is the principal, as well as the profit from the enslavement of Egypt, which is the inheritance of the land, and sold him his share in the Cave of Machpelah, and departed from the land, from the faith, and from his share, as he departed from everything.

235) How good was Jacob’s share in everything, since Esau did not stay with him but parted him and went to his own lot and share, and Jacob stayed holding on to his father’s and forefathers’ lot. This is why it is written, “…and went into a land away from his brother Jacob,” since he did not want the share the lot and the fate of Jacob’s faith. Happy is the lot of Jacob, as it is written, “For the portion of the Lord is His people, Jacob the lot of His inheritance.”