Torah Thoughts on Parshas Toldos by Rabbi Melech Lensky
"וַיֵצֵא הָרִאשׁוֹן אַדְמוֹנִי כֻּלוֹ כְּאַדֶרֶת שֵׂעָר וַיִקְרְאוּ שְׁמוֹ עֵשָׂו, וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן יָצָא אָחִיו וְיָדוֹ אֹחֶזֶת בַּעֲקֵב עֵשָׂו וָיִקְרָא שְׁמוֹ יַעֲקֹב" בְּרֵאשִׁית כ"ה:כ"ה-כ"ו
"And the first one emerged ruddy, like a hairy mantle all over, and they called his name Eisav; and after that his brother came forth, and his hand was holding Eisav's heel, and he called his name Yaakov." Bereshis 25:25-26
Why was it "they" who named Eisav, implying more than one person, whereas the Torah says "he" named Yaakov? Rashi explains that everyone gave Eisav his name because as a baby Eisav had the body hair of someone much older. The Baal HaTurim explains that the name Eisav means "made and completed". Eisav was unlike the typical baby, who does not have the appearance of an adult. Rather, his adult-like hairiness captured everyone's attention and led all to name him.
In contrast, only one named Yaakov. Rashi discusses two interpretations as to who named Yaakov. One explanation is that God Himself gave Yaakov this name. The other explanation says that Yitzchak named him "Yaakov" because Yaakov is a name referring to his holding on to the "עֵקֶב" – the ankle – of Eisav.
Thus, each son received a name appropriate to his birth but with vastly different "public interest" in the matter. Everyone noted the red, hairy Eisav and named him, but Yitzchak alone noted the less physically distinctive Yaakov.
It has been said in the name of HaRav Gedalia Schorr that truly naming something means identifying its essence. Giving it a name that captures that nature, in truth, shows the building blocks from which it is made. The essence of the physical, earthly and non-spiritual Eisav was captured by all. On the other hand, identifying the essence of the spiritual Yaakov was beyond the ability for most. Thus, many named one but not the other. Although we are far removed from the ability of the ancients to detect the essence, we do have many occasions where we identify the physical with alacrity, passing by the few and valiant who understand the truly spiritual. How easy is it for us to see the surface and vanities of reality. How much more rewarding ultimately if we grab the vain-glories by the ankle to let the truth emerge.
After receiving Semicha from HTC in 1997, Rabbi Melech Lensky served as the Rav of Congregation Shaarai Torah West in Worcester, MA, for almost 6 years. Rabbi Lensky and his family then moved to Milwaukee, where he entered a Clinical Pastoral Education residency, eventually becoming a Board Certified Chaplain. He has served for over 17 years as a staff chaplain at a Milwaukee area hospital, and, concurrently, 18 years as a director of a local cemetery. He has been active in a variety of other communal activities.