When the twins were growing up, Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah
loved Jacob (Gen.25:28), but Esau showed signs of wickedness
even before he was born. The Midrash on Gen. 25:22 tells us
that during Rebekah's pregnancy, Esau kicked whenever she
passed an idolatrous temple, and Jacob kicked whenever she
passed a place of Torah study (presumably: one of Shem's
schools). The unborn boys also fought over who would be born
first, and Jacob agreed to be second when Esau threatened to
kill Rebekah in childbirth if he were second. Evidently Esau
fooled his father because he was a smooth talker (see 25:28),
but his mother saw through him, and G-d certainly knew what
was in his heart.
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