15
Question
I’m confused regarding two recent parasha events;
How was Yaakov avinu married to Leah if his intention was to marry Rachel?
How did Yaskov receive his father’s bracha, if Yitzchak was intending it for Esav?
Doesn’t intention matter?
Thank you,
Orrin Davis
Atlanta
Answer
Definitely intention matters, but regarding everything which was before the giving of the Torah at Sinai, our fore-fathers were not bound by the details of the Torah which was given only afterwards (e.g. how did Ya'akov also marry 2 sisters?!). Regarding Ya'akov's receiving the bracha, it was valid because Esav had previously sold him the first-born rights (ch. 25, some explain with money, others say with the lentils).

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