Esav Went Off the Derech, Why?

HaRav Shamshon Rafael Hirsch z”l grappled with this question.  The Torah states, “When the Lads grew up…”Chazal tell us, only after the boys grew up did Esav become a hunter and a man of the field while Yaakov became a man who grew to greatness in ruchnius-spirituality.

The Midrash expounds on the point.  “While they were children, their differences were not pronounced….Then, when they reached the age of 13, one devoted himself to the Bais Medresh and the other to avodah zora”.

HaRav Hirsch gleaned from Chazal’s understanding of the Torah the following point of view. “ …If the parents would have noticed the difference between them at an early age, they could have raised and educated both children for the same goal by following a different approach in each case…Had a different approach been adopted, with consideration for their differences, the two contrasting personalities could both have been trained to develop the same loyalty to one and the same goal.” Ultimately, this is not what happened. Hence, Esav went off the derech and became the archenemy of Israel for all time.

Perhaps, HaRav Hirsch’s approach regarding Esav, that Yitzchak and Rivka made a mistake in raising their children is not universally accepted. Yet, the principle to Chanoch L’naar al pi Darko- educate a child according to his way, is irrefutable and must be embraced by all parents and teachers who hope to be successful in raising and growing children.

Educating a child according to his way requires changes for many veteran teachers who have employed throughout their careers a one size fits all. Teaching approach, (See the quote of the Chovos HaTalmidim on the Home Page). Teacher training to learn different teaching methods, learn how to identify differences in children, learn how to teach each child according to his way and to learn how to motivate and interest a child to want to succeed al pi darko is a must.