Toldot tells the story of Isaac and Rebecca’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau, who struggle in the womb and seem destined to clash throughout their lives and those of their descendants. This pivotal parsha contains two great passages: the birth and childhood of the boys, and the scene in which Jacob, at Rebecca’s behest, dresses in Esau’s clothes and takes…
…He would ask him questions such as, “Father, how do we tithe salt and straw?” knowing that in fact these were exempt from tithe. Isaac thought that meant that he was scrupulous in his observance of the commandments (Rashi to Gen. 25:27; Tanchuma, Toldot, 8). [3] See Jonathan Sacks, Not in God’s Name, pp. 107-124. [4] Genesis Rabbah 65:10. [5]…
The Summary This is an abridged version of the essay The Tragedy of Good Intentions written by Rabbi Sacks in 2011. Near the end of Toldot comes the question, Why did Rivka tell Yaakov to trick Yitzchak and take Eisav’s blessing? As soon as Yitzchak announced he would bless Eisav, her plan created in great, without hesitation. She was determined…
The Summary This summary is adapted from this week’s main Covenant & Conversation essay by Rabbi Sacks. Even before their birth, Yaakov and Eisav struggled in the womb, destined to be eternal opposites. As they grew, Eisav became a skilful hunter who was loved by Yitzchak, while Yaakov was quieter, more prone to Torah study, and favoured by Rivka. Rivka’s…
The Parsha in a Nutshell Toldot tells the story of Yitzchak and Rebecca’s twin sons, Yaakov and Esau, who struggle in Rebecca’s womb and seem destined to clash throughout their lives and those of their descendants. It contains two great passages: the birth and childhood of the boys, and the scene in which Yaakov, as suggested by Rebecca, dresses in…
Was Jacob right to take Esau’s blessing in disguise? Was he right to deceive his father and to take from his brother the blessing Isaac sought to give him? Was Rebecca right in conceiving the plan in the first place and encouraging Jacob to carry it out? These are fundamental questions. What is at stake is not just biblical interpretation…
The Parsha in a Nutshell Parshat Toldot tells the story of Yitzchak and Rivka’s twin sons, Yaakov and Esav, who fought with each other even before they were born! Rivka had been told that although Esav would be born first, Yaakov would be the one to continue the Jewish people. But Yaakov wasn’t sure of this and one day he…
…Dr. Samuel Lebens is a professor of philosophy at the University of Haifa. His latest book is ‘A Guide for the Jewish Undecided.’ A Closer Look Delving deeper into the thoughts shared by Rabbi Sacks on Toldot, now Rabbi Lebens shares his own reflections on the main piece of the week. What was your main takeaway from ‘A Father’s Love’?…
It is the deep, reverberating question at the heart of Toldot. Why did Rebecca tell Jacob to deceive Isaac and take Esau’s blessing? Her instruction is brisk and peremptory: “Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for…