The Janus nature of Jacob’s gift to Esau foreshadows his refusal to travel ... and Identity Politics in Biblical Israel.” He can be reached at [email protected].

Jacob has fled from the murderous anger of his brother, Esau. He comes to a certain place ... on the Torah and on other books of the Jewish Bible. The Zohar teaches that God sits on a throne ...

The biblical rivalry between Esau and his younger twin, Jacob, who tricks him out of their father's blessing, serves as the prototype for this yeasty, vibrant and sprawling modern-day family saga ...