Dichotomy of Good vs Evil

Toldot in a Nutshell

Bereshit 25:19–28:9

We can argue that life is white vs black, good vs evil, darkness vs light. As we grow older we realize that there is a difference between idealism and realism. Sometimes we encounter situations which pull us in either direction. It's interesting to note that when push comes to shove; grey areas still lead us to a direction. Do I go left? Or do I go right? Did I make the right choice, or the wrong choice.

The grey areas in life only make decisions harder to make. In any case it is too impossible to remain static for too long. In other words we must eventually make a choice. If we don't the choice is often made for us anyways.

It is interesting to note that many lies include some truth to them. Sometimes we believe lies because of the minimal truth embedded inside. This week we study two twins. One is named Jacob, and the other named Esauv. According to ancient right Esauv being the first born automatically got the birth-right and first cut of inheritance.  

Quickly summed up, Esauv was not a nice guy. He lived by the sword and disregarded Heaven as abstract. The only thing that existed was this world. He had one endearing quality and that was super respect for his father. This in the end is what we focus on. 

Jacob was a learner and occupied himself with the study of morality and heaven. He himself (with his mother's urging) knew all to well Esauv wasn't up for the job. So Jacob using cunning and human emotion effectively stole the birthright, and later he even stole the first born blessing from his father. We learn that deception, and cunning are not positive qualities; yet they were used by a righteous person. In any case, there is always a reactionary force with anything we do. Jacob's deception wasn't taken kindly, as Esauv wanted to kill his brother albeit he wasn't up for the "job".

source: jw.org

We constantly make excuses for our short-cumming s. It is easier to blame someone else when it is really ourselves we should be correcting. This is the history of human kind. We often blame and turn to war when leaders of nations, and it's people no longer struggle for the path of righteousness. No matter what religion, culture, or race we come from, we must not blame others for our internal problems. Change comes from within.

True bravery is saying I was wrong. True bravery is saying I have short-Cummings and need to correct. Unfortunately human history has taken Esauv's side. Often turning to war and denying the truth of the matter. The person who recognizes this can use darkness or "lying" to their benefit but there is always recourse. Facing up to the matter could possibly have been a solution, but sometimes we know what a person is really like. Often change is too difficult and matters must be taken into our own hands. This is still a choice.

People are so harsh when it comes to religion. We often embrace science as a new "religion" only because we put so much faith into it. We do know that science changes constantly. One discovery at a later time can prove the original "science" was false. That could mean the difference between life and death. This in itself is not a problem; the problem emerges when we use that truth as an absolute. Blind acceptance of anything is a very dangerous thing. Once smoking was cool, and even endorsed by "doctors". Because medicine is based on science we accept what the doctor's say.  

We can disregard religion as much a we like. There may be fables, and "stories" that seem silly and outdated. However I disagree as there are moralistic teachings that have infinite value. You can disregard as much as you like, but science as a constantly evolving source of knowledge cannot be an end all be all.

BB613