Guiding Questions: Genesis 27

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. Which of his sons does Isaac choose to bless?
  2. Which of her sons does Rivkah wish to have blessed?
  3. Why is the father’s blessing of such consequence?
  4. Is it clear from Genesis 27:12 that Jacob knows that his father would curse him if Isaac were aware of the deceit?
  5. How does Jacob come disguised to his father?
  6. Why does Isaac ask “who are you”?
  7. How do Genesis 27:20-22 stress Isaac’s confusion?
  8. Finally, the direct confrontation in Genesis 27:24; what is Jacob’s response?
  9. How, in spite of the outright lie, does a blessing come to Jacob? What is/are the theological implications?
  10. Does the narrative reflect a position on means and ends? (the “end” – Genesis 25:23; the means – this chapter)
  11. Would Genesis 27:27 be conclusive that Isaac thought he was blessing Esau?
  12. What Divine name was used by Isaac in the blessing (Genesis 27:28)?
  13. In Genesis 27:33, what does Isaac’s shuddering bespeak?
  14. In Genesis 27:35, how does Isaac describe Jacob’s conduct?
  15. How does Esau describe Jacob’s conduct?
  16. Would Genesis 27:37 affirm that a blessing was irrevocable?
  17. From text, is Esau’s reaction at this point anger and/or frustration and/or dismay or all?
  18. Is Jacob’s “ruling” Esau in the blessing to obtain under all circumstances? (Genesis 27:40)
  19. What does text read in Esau’s mind? (Genesis 27:41)
  20. What did Rivkah hear (Genesis 27:22) and does the text indicate from what source?
  21. Was Esau’s reaction so unpredictable? (Genesis 27:42)
  22. In Genesis 27:45, according to Rivkah, who was responsible for what transpired and whose plan was it?
  23. If Genesis 27:46 followed Genesis 26:35, would the sequence be logical without the blessing story?

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    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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