When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This week I learned that Parashat Toldot (Genesis 25:19 through 28:9), the sixth weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings. According to Wikipedia, Toldot is made up of 5,426 Hebrew letters, 1,432 words, 106 verses, and 173 lines of the Torah Scroll. The parashah tells of the conflict between Jacob and Esau, the story of Rebekah and Isaac’s blessing of his sons.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading Toldot for Shabbat Mevarchim, November 30, 2024 aka 29 Cheshvan 5785:
“Sedra Toldot is essentially the story of the birth and lives of Yaakov and Esau. Even though they are twins, Yakov is immediately placed at a major disadvantage by being born after Esau. In the ancient world birth order came with special privileges. Esau grows up to be a violent and impulsive hunter and epitomizes the moniker which befits him as many sages believe that the Edomites were the bloodthirsty progenitors of ancient Rome. Yakov is a quiet, studious man who dwells in the tents of study of Shem and Eber.
It is puzzling why Isaac shows deference to Esau over Yakov beside his birthright which he sells to Yakov for a bowl of lentil soup. Is Esau favored because he brings food to the tribe? Despite his violent nature, does he show special respect for his father? Perhaps, psychologically, Isaac favors the physically strong and impulsive Esau because he admires his physical prowess?
There is an obvious disconnect between Isaac and Rebecca when it comes to understanding exactly who will become the future leader of the Tribe. Rebecca sees through the subterfuge of Esau and does all in her power to secure the blessing of the first born for Yakov. She encourages Yakov to dress in Esau’s clothes and wear animal skins to deceive Isaac who is physically and, some would say, spiritually blind to the inevitability of the succession of Yakov.
During his lifetime, Yakov is faced constantly with challenges and difficulties. In his young life he must deal with the dominance of Esau and the indifference of his father. Later he must escape the wrath of Esau and the hostility of his Uncle Laban and his cousins. He must confront Esau after escaping Laban and then must deal with the aftermath of Shimon and Levi who kill Shechem for ravishing their sister.
The one constant is that Yakov never loses faith in G-d. He is steadfast and his faith carries him through all the challenges he will face. If there is one lesson from Yakov, when we face life’s challenges we must use our faith to carry us especially when we feel overwhelmed. May our judgement be clear and our faith be strong to help us make good choices and accept that which we cannot change.”
Questions for Discussion:
- What aspects of Laban’s reaction to Yakov are based on previous encounters with members of the Canaan family?
- Why does Rebecca take the idols (teraphim) of her father?
- How does the blessing originally intended for Esau pertain more to Yakov?
- How do Esau’s marriages confirm Rebecca’s distrust?
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his smicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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