We all have cognitive biases that influence our judgements and beliefs. Yet, some are more troubling than others.
On the surface Yitzcak's favouritism for his son Esav seems disturbing. The Torah attributes his deep love for Eisav to the fact that he was "Tzayid Be'fiv" - a hunter in his mouth" (25:28). Could not Yitzchak see who Eisav was? Why was he attracted to something that seems so base and superficial?
Rashi quotes the tradition that this refers to Esav's cunning ability to "hunt with his mouth'' and use his words to ensnare and deceive his father.
Other approaches see Yitzchak's approach as a paradigm of parenthood. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z'l commented that Yitzchak taught us that parents need to shower children at risk with more unconditional love, not less. Yitzchak may have also wanted to teach Eisav how to sublimate his character and channel his strengths as a hunter into a more noble and holy pursuit.
An additional perspective I read, Yitzchak simply took interest in what Eisav did. He made hunting important in his life which facilitated the creation of a loving relationship between father and son. That became the bedrock to create and foster the father-son relationship.
Relationships often get muddled by distractions of the moment. Yitzchak teaches us that our true bedrock is unconditional love.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Daniel Green
