Once again, our Parsha begins with a business transaction. This time, it takes place between two brothers, Eisav and Yaakov, over a strange item: the right of the firstborn child, the Bechora.

The background to this story is rather limited. Eisav is a hunter, he has his father's love, and he returns from hunting on this one occasion rather tired. Yaakov is a simple tent dweller, beloved by his mother, and is currently preparing a lentil dish.

Eisav demands the dish and freely accepts it in exchange for the Bechora. He has two major factors keeping him from dealing with this situation rationally. First, his exhaustion leads him to desperation, and he thinks only of the current state of affairs. Second, he is confident in his father's love and doesn't see the value in the Bechora since he expects a good blessing from Yitzchak regardless.

Yaakov recognizes the opportunity in front of him, and the importance of the Bechora. It represents more than the love of his father; It's a paved road for his future and his descendants. As love can wax and wane, and opportunities missed are opportunities lost, Yaakov springs into action to guarantee his future.

In business, as in life, we must act like Yaakov and consider our future and the outcomes of our actions, and not be blinded by the fleeting here and now.