Genesis 25:19–28:9
Parshat Toldot
After twenty years of prayer Rebecca gives birth to twins who struggle even in the womb: Esau, a hunter, and Jacob, who dwells in tents. Esau sells his birthright for a bowl of lentils, Isaac re-digs his father's wells, and, guided by Rebecca, Jacob receives the blessings Isaac meant for Esau and must flee to his uncle Laban in Charan.
Essays
Parsha Toldos – The Third Bais Hamikdash The Patriarch Isaac engaged in digging wells. The Torah, in this week’s parsha, recounts how the first two wells he dug were… Parsha Toldos – A Clean Slate The Messianic Age will represent a total departure from Roman culture and values. Moshiach will inaugurate a world wiped clean of the Roman’s imprimatur. Moshiach will write the story of life on a clean slate. Parsha Toldos – All for the Children In our mystical tradition, the shared experiences of our forefathers and us are more than just a fortuitous coincidence. It is even more than just an omen. When these events occurred with the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, they actually generated the spiritual energy that enabled us, their children, to Parsha Toldos – Bringing the Future Into the Present The Tanya, citing the Zohar, states that even the Satan truly wants us to deny his blandishments and resist the temptation to sin. However, the Satan cannot show that desire because it would undermine the test and sabotage the mission for which he was chosen. Esau is the symbol of the Satan. He is i Parsha Toldos – Esau in 3d Esau is the symbol of the world around us that can be viewed in 3d. One can be impressed by its veneer of glitter, or cynically view it from within as a rotten world. But the 3rd dimensional way of viewing the world – the Chassidic perspective – is that it possesses a powerful spiritual dimension th Parsha Toldos – Can’t Change Your Language A Jew can and in some cases may, figuratively speaking, put on the clothing of other cultures. A Jew can engage the outside world, interact with it and be a part of it, insofar as the external aspects of the world are concerned. But when it comes to our essence, A Jew will discover that try as he mi Parsha Toldos – It’s Okay to Have a Split Personality Every one of us possesses two distinct personalities. We are in possession of an animal soul and a G-dly soul. Every act of goodness is another victory for the G-dly soul in us. Our struggle is made easier when we realize that, ultimately, we will win the war against evil. Parsha Toldos – Digging Deep In the Messianic Age, when the light of G-d will pervade the world and the attribute of kindness will extend to all, we will then be able to focus all of our energies to the Isaac modality of gevurah, digging deep to ensure that the purist and holiest energies are exposed. Even the “outsiders” will Parsha Toldos – Mother of Jacob and Esau: “I Don’t Know” Is the Lesson! If we understood the dynamic of exile we would make peace with it and would not demand of G-d and of ourselves to bring an end to the struggle. We would be blinded by all the positive forces we generate because of the struggle. Parsha Toldos – Mother of Jacob and Esau: What’s the Lesson? There are only two acceptable methods of dealing with recalcitrant children: Either shower and smother them with love and warmth, or in extreme situations employ tough love. To do neither is unacceptable in virtually all situations. Parsha Toldos – Multiple Births Jacob was so named because he held on to the heels of Esau as he was being born. But, the word heel associated with Jacob also symbolizes the trait of humility. In addition, the yud, the first letter of Jacob’s name, the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, reinforces the .theme of humility posse Parsha Toldos – Out of Sight Isaac was spiritually sensitive to any form of evil. His sensitivity derived from his being offered as a sacrifice and hi eyesight was affected by the “tears” of the angels, symbolic of the angelic purity that was instilled in him from that time onward. As he matured, his spiritual sensitivity and i Parsha Toldos – Reflections 2 The two periods of exile and Redemption are expressive of the two modes of G-d’s relationship with us. In exile G-d appears distant and it instills a feeling of G-d having abandoned us. In the days of the Holy Temple old as well as when Moshiach will come, we will experience G-d’s love and closeness Parsha Toldos – Receptive to Blessings Of all the sacrifices we can make to make us worthy of the Messianic blessing it is the sacrifice that involves changing our habits for the purpose of helping another or going against our nature in the fulfillment of any Mitzvah. Parsha Toldos – Reflections Even when we are justified in our anger against another, we must never allow that anger to seethe in us. The anger should be directed into a course of action how to correct the mistakes of the other, but never should the anger be allowed to remain in our conscious and even subconscious mind. By expu Parsha Toldos – Reversing the Reversal Torah to us is more than just a powerful teaching; it is the most intimate aspect of our lives; we are married to it. This intimate relationship with Torah is based on its Divine nature, which connects to the Divine aspect of our souls. Denying the Divine dimension of Torah is tantamount to violatin Parsha Toldos – The Birthright in Three Stages Our mission now therefore is to “buy the birthright” from Esau in a figurative sense. This means that we should live our lives now as we imagine we will live our lives in the imminent Age of Redemption. We should recognize that the Jacob aspects of our lives are the dominant ones. In the Rebbe’s wor Parsha Toldos – The Hands of Esau We are currently living in an age where most countries in the world are supportive to one degree or another of Jewish life and observance. Even the former Soviet Empire that sought to extinguish every trace of the light of Judaism has been transformed into a society that warmly supports Jewish life Parsha Toldos – The Twin Bar Mitzvah The myth is that a Messianic Age will bring about a reduction of responsibility and will serve essentially as a universal “senior citizen” retirement experience as a reward for all of our good work. When Moshiach will take us out of exile, we will all celebrate our collective Bar and Bas Mitzvah, wh Parsha Toldos – The Voice of Jacob and the Hands of Esau A Jew cannot be passive. Judaism is not a spectator sport. One must be actively engaged in one’s Jewish life. Parsha Toldos – Vive La Old Age The energy and verve with which youth is associated is more than just commendable, it is indispensable. It is the catalyst for the future Redemption. However, it does not negate the virtue of advanced age and its potential for advanced maturity and spirituality. Parsha Toldos – We Are All Firstborn! Eisav disenfranchised himself from G-d’s community. Can a Jew can do the same today. If that were the case, G-d forbid, millions of assimilated Jews, who do not identify with the claim of being G-d’s firstborn, will not be redeemed by Moshiach. The answer has already been provided by the Rebbe: “No