[Lurking Libertarian]

What leads you to believe that Esau is the Romans ?

The Talmud ofter uses the word "Edom" (the Biblical nation descended from Esau) when they are referring to the Roman Empire. Some students of the Talmud, including ZC, believe this was meant literally-- that the Romans were descended from Edomites. Others (and I, though certainly no Talmudic scholar, am of this view) think the Rabbis were merely trying to avoid Roman censorship, by substituting the name of a historical enemy of the Israelites for the name of their then-current oppressors.

[Thinkin' Gal]

I'm glad somebody brought this up! I had never seen this, yet oddly enough, just a couple of hours before reading ZC's post, I happened upon a Yahoo Kabbalah club. The writer of a message had made a reference, matter-of-factly equating "*iantity" to Esau. A Google search of Christianity and Esau spat out some interesting links.

I found it a bit unsettling that I, as a Gentile Christian, would be likened to Esau and Amalek. It seemed rather insulting, like calling Jews the seed of satan.

Well, considering that there are sects of Christianity which claim that the House of Judah is over and done with, and Christians have an exclusive birthright claim, somebody may have a point. If true, then the apostates are destined to sell their birthright to Jacob anyway, lol.

[jonatron]

You're probably correct about the talmudic use of Edom. The Palistinians claim to be descended from Esau [Edom]. It sounds likely to me. As we know from the bible, Mt. Seir, on the EAST BANK of the Jordan, in modern-day Jordan is the territory alloted to Esau's progeny.