Though Abraham reached a good old age, beyond the limit of years
vouchsafed later generations, he yet died five years before his
allotted time. The intention was to let him live to be one hundred and
eighty years old, the same age as Isaac's at his death, but on account
of Esau God brought his life to an abrupt close. For some time Esau had
been pursuing his evil inclinations in secret. Finally he dropped his
mask, and on the day of Abraham's death he was guilty of five crimes:
he ravished a betrothed maiden, committed murder, doubted the
resurrection of the dead, scorned the birthright, and denied God. Then
the Lord said: "I promised Abraham that he should go to his fathers in
peace. Can I now permit him to be a witness of his grandson's rebellion
against God, his violation of the laws of chastity, and his shedding of
blood? It is better for him to die now in peace."[37]
The men slain by Esau on this day were Nimrod and two of his adjutants.
A long-standing feud had existed between Esau and Nimrod, because the
mighty hunter before the Lord was jealous of Esau, who also devoted
himself assiduously to the chase. Once when he was hunting it happened
that Nimrod was separated from his people, only two men were with him.
Esau, who lay in ambush, noticed his isolation, and waited until he
should pass his covert. Then he threw himself upon Nimrod suddenly, and
felled him and his two companions, who hastened to his succor. The
outcries of the latter brought the attendants of Nimrod to the spot
where he lay dead, but not before Esau had stripped him of his
garments, and fled to the city with them.[38]
These garments of Nimrod had an extraordinary effect upon cattle,
beasts, and birds. Of their own accord they would come and prostrate
themselves before him who was arrayed in them. Thus Nimrod and Esau
after him were able to rule over men and beasts.[39]
After slaying Nimrod, Esau hastened cityward in great fear of his
victim's followers. Tired and exhausted he arrived at home to find
Jacob busy preparing a dish of lentils. Numerous male and female slaves
were in Isaac's household. Nevertheless Jacob was so simple and modest
in his demeanor that, if he came home late from the Bet ha-Midrash, he
would disturb none to prepare his meal, but would do it himself.[40] On
this occasion he was cooking lentils for his father, to serve to him as
his mourner's meal after the death of Abraham. Adam and Eve had eaten
lentils after the murder of Abel, and so had the parents of Haran, when
he perished in the fiery furnace. The reason they are used for the
mourner's meal is that the round lentil symbolizes death: as the lentil
rolls, so death, sorrow, and mourning constantly roll about among men,
from one to the other.[41]