233. "Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom" (Beresheet 36:1). Come and behold, Esau's sons were not counted while Isaac was alive, as were the sons of Jacob, who were counted before he died. Of Esau it is written, "And Isaac expired, and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days, and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him," followed by "Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom." Why WERE THEY NOT COUNTED IN HIS LIFETIME? Because only Jacob and his sons are the portion, inheritance, and lot OF ISAAC. For that reason, Jacob and his sons, who are the portion of the Holy One, blessed be He, were counted. Esau, however, had no portion in the side of the faith. Therefore, his accounts were settled only after Isaac died, when his portion was separated FROM HOLINESS into another place.

234. Come and behold, after Isaac died and Esau went to his side, it is written, "And Esau took his wives ...away from his brother Jacob" (Beresheet 36:6). In doing this, he left both capital and profit to Jacob --HE RELINQUISHED the bondage of Egypt, WHICH IS THE CAPITAL AND THE PROFIT THEREFROM, THE HERITAGE OF the Land of Yisrael. He sold his share of the cave of the Machpelah and went away from the land, the faith, and his portion -- thus walking away from AND LEAVING everything.

235. Come and behold, how much Jacob's portion was increased in all respects when Esau left him and went to his own lot and portion. Jacob thus continued to hold the heritage of his father and his ancestors. And so it is written, "And went into another country away from his brother Jacob." HE ASKS, Why is it written, "away from his brother Jacob?" HE ANSWERS, Because he did not care for his inheritance or share JACOB'S lot of faith. Happy is the lot of Jacob, of whom the verse says, "For Hashem's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance" (Devarim 32:9).