Some people view the Torah as the history of the Jewish people.
Our tradition teaches us that Ma'aseh Avot Siman L'banim - the deeds of our ancestors sets the tone for future generations. We can duplicate this evil by our insensitivity to his behavior and value system. The hungry hunter asks for some food - but Jacob will only agree if he receives in return the birthright. Even without going into the details of how Jacob pretends to be someone he's not, we find that Esau emerges as a sympathetic and honest figure. Additionally, Esau possesses qualities that many people admire, particularly in America where the spirit of the Wild West is still alive.