Chayei Sarah - Dew is 39

When the first man, Adam, made the mistake of eating a fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad, he caused there should be 39 curses. Ten were for himself, ten for Eve, ten for the snake, and nine for the earth.

The number 39 in Hebrew is represented by the word "Tal," which means dew. To correct the curses, light from the highest spiritual levels, called "Arich Anpin," which shines down like dew, is needed.

The forefathers tried to draw down this light. Abraham did not wholly succeed, as evidenced by his imperfect son, Ishmael. Isaac, too, had a son Esau. Jacob was the first pure one who could begin the rectification (Tikkun). The word "dew" is mentioned in Isaac's blessing, "God should give you from the dew of the heavens..." and that is why he needed this blessing so much.

However, even that blessing he got from Isaac through deception, by pretending to be Esau. Rebecca took the risk on herself by saying that if it is discovered, "the curses should be on me." Rebecca was the reincarnation of Eve. Her words can be understood as if Eve was talking: "It's because of me that there are curses. Now I am taking the risk and fixing what I did wrong." Previously, Adam was punished "because he listened to his wife's voice." Rebecca says, "Listen to my voice, but this time for good."

Also, note that the first time Adam's mistake came through food. Now Jacob, Adam's reincarnation, is fixing his mistake, again through food - by bringing Isaac a meal.

If one continues, one can find many more parallels between what Adam did then and what Jacob did this time.

With gratitude to Rabbi Menachem Sholom Krantz, who provided the initial content.

Art: Esau and Jacob by Michel I Corneille