The First Born and the Levite

The theme of Parshat Toldot is the importance of the birthright. It begins with the story of Eisav selling his first born rights for a bowl of lentil soup. He later regretted this when Yakov cleverly received the blessings from Yitzchak.

Rav Kook pointed out that there are numerous laws pertaining to the “Bechor,” the first born male. Even though the Temple service was taken over by the Leviim, there is a certain inherent Kedusha in every first born. We still redeem our first born sons with the ceremony known as “Pidyon Haben,” the redemption of the son.

Even first born male animals have special holiness. This law is still applicable in Eretz Yisrael. There is also a ceremony known as פדיון פטר חמור, where a first born male donkey is exchanged for a goat.

Rav Kook interprets Yakov’s answer to Yitzchak as being very significant. When Yakov is asked to identify himself, he answered that “I am your first born.” He was saying this in connection with the manner in which the Jewish people were described in the Torah. They were referred to as, בני בכורי ישראל, “My first born son, Israel.”

Yakov was telling his father that he was the one who would fulfill the destiny of the Jewish people. Eisav was not capable or interested in such a task. Yakov would be the one who would be able to be a true messenger of Hashem. He would purify and sanctify a world that desperately needed such direction.

Israel has its hierarchies, each with its own special roles. The first born were a special group and born leaders. The Leviim officially replaced them and protected and preserved the sanctity of the Jewish people.