In this week's parsha, Rivka (Rebecca) is pregnant with twins, Yaakov (Jacob) and Esav (Esau.) "The children struggled within her; and she said 'If so, why am I thus?'...and the L-rd said to her, 'Two nations are in your womb, and two kingdoms will separate from your innards...'" Rashi cites the Midrash that explains whenever Rivka approached Torah academies, Yaakov would struggle to exit her womb, and when she passed by idolatrous places, Esav would struggle to exit.
The Midrash implies that Yaakov's and Esav's natures are predestined from the womb. How can we explain their inborn opposing natures given that the twins share the same righteous parentage?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that Esav's natural inclination toward idolatry should not be viewed negatively. It simply means that Esav's life mission is to conquer evil rather than to cultivate good. From birth, Esav has the potential to do evil, but he also has the potential to channel his inclinations in a positive way, as all character traits can be directed for good or bad by free will choices. The reason G-d gave Esav his particular disposition was so that Esav could rise to the challenge and overcome his natural tendencies. Unfortunately, Esav succumbs to his innate nature, choosing to do evil rather than good.
As parents, we must recognize that our children are born with distinct character traits. These traits, in and of themselves, are neither good nor bad. They are shaped by the choices our children make. We must teach our children that their choices have consequences, and we must encourage them to make good choices, even if making them is a struggle.
The Midrash implies that Yaakov's and Esav's natures are predestined from the womb. How can we explain their inborn opposing natures given that the twins share the same righteous parentage?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that Esav's natural inclination toward idolatry should not be viewed negatively. It simply means that Esav's life mission is to conquer evil rather than to cultivate good. From birth, Esav has the potential to do evil, but he also has the potential to channel his inclinations in a positive way, as all character traits can be directed for good or bad by free will choices. The reason G-d gave Esav his particular disposition was so that Esav could rise to the challenge and overcome his natural tendencies. Unfortunately, Esav succumbs to his innate nature, choosing to do evil rather than good.
As parents, we must recognize that our children are born with distinct character traits. These traits, in and of themselves, are neither good nor bad. They are shaped by the choices our children make. We must teach our children that their choices have consequences, and we must encourage them to make good choices, even if making them is a struggle.
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