Article May 7, 1979 Issue

I am not Robert Redford!

THOMAS ALAN WALDMAN

Not that I have ever been a victim of mistaken identify where Mr. Redford is concerned. But even if I were to exchange passports with him, and deceive some ingenuous immigration official into believing that Mr. Redford's identification was mine, what would be the purpose? I wouldn't automatically attain his qualities, his talent, his income. I would still be me.

Jacob learned this lesson the hard way.^{See Gen. 27-33;} In a culture where the eldest son inherited everything, it was his lot to be born a twin, clinging to his brother Esau's heel.

Their father Isaac, whose eyesight was failing, might mistake goatskin for Esau's hairy hands; meat from a kid might taste like venison to him; and the scent of Esau's clothing on Jacob might complete the deception—but to what avail? Jacob was still not Esau. And what a false identity he actually did assume in deceiving Isaac! The identity of a thief, a jealous brother, a deceitful son, and—in fleeing Esau's rage—a coward!

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