Parashat Toldot
November 21, 2022
Geri Bloch, Former High School English Teacher
The Torah presents the concept of the sacred and the profane almost from the beginning. Even though humans were created b’tselem Elohim, in the image of God, we know that the profane, that evil, existed even in the Garden of Eden. It seems as if God created duality in the universe to compel humans to weigh their choices, to make the best decisions they can for each situation; Parashat Toldot speaks to this concept. The Jewish journey has begun.
Rebekah, a righteous woman from Laban’s family, marries Isaac, but is initially barren. Isaac pleads with God, and Rebekah conceives. However,
“כג וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה לָהּ, שְׁנֵי גֹיִים
בְּבִטְנֵךְ, וּשְׁנֵי לְאֻמִּים, מִמֵּעַיִךְ יִפָּרֵדוּ; וּלְאֹם מִלְאֹם יֶאֱמָץ, וְרַב יַעֲבֹד צָעִיר.”
“כג וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה לָהּ, שְׁנֵי גֹיִים
בְּבִטְנֵךְ, וּשְׁנֵי לְאֻמִּים, מִמֵּעַיִךְ יִפָּרֵדוּ; וּלְאֹם מִלְאֹם יֶאֱמָץ, וְרַב יַעֲבֹד צָעִיר.”
(23) “And the LORD said unto her: Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”
Why must there be this discord within Rebekah’s womb? God reveals to Rebekah a truth that will bring about the birth of the Israelite nation; this is God’s plan, and we can see that the world might be difficult for one of those nations. One will be a holy nation and the other nation will not. Parashat Toldot continues with family deceit, hostility, and anger. Esau gives up his birthright for a bowl of pottage; this will resonate later on. Jacob, the second-born, receives Isaac’s blessing, which changes the course of Jewish history.
Throughout this parashah, we read of the duality between the twins. One is a hunter and a man of the soil; one stays close to home. One seems to desire to follow Jewish tradition, and one does not, marrying a woman from Ishmael’s tribe. One of the sons seems to lack impulse control; one seems to be more thoughtful in his behavioral choices. According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l, this parashah demonstrates that “the future is never as straightforward as we are led to believe. . . . The Jewish journey, though it has a destination, is long and has many digressions and setbacks.” Yet, as Genesis continues, we know that Jacob will wrestle with angels(?), with himself (?), with God (?), and then be given the name Israel, meaning, “he who struggles with God and with men and prevails.” The struggle which began in Rebekah’s womb continues into 2022.
Each of us is on a Jewish journey; each of us has a past which might include high levels of learning – or not. Each of us has to contend with the choices that life brings us, understanding that we do not know what the outcome will be. Metaphorically, there are two “nations” within each of us, one which is strong and assertive, and one which might be more philosophical, more pensive. Which of our “nations” will prevail in any given situation?
We see from the beginning how God wishes us to make good decisions. During this Thanksgiving week, let each of us wrestle with how we will behave at our tables. Will political rancor win the day? Will our Shabbat table bring true peace to all of those who remain in our homes for the holiday? And after the holiday is over, will we continue to ponder how we might enhance our own Jewish journey and perhaps the journey of others? In writing about Parashat Toldot, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l writes: “Life involves risk, which is why we need faith, and the courage to which faith gives rise. We are part of a story whose last chapter has not yet been written. That rests with us, as it rested with Jacob.”
Throughout this parashah, we read of the duality between the twins. One is a hunter and a man of the soil; one stays close to home. One seems to desire to follow Jewish tradition, and one does not, marrying a woman from Ishmael’s tribe. One of the sons seems to lack impulse control; one seems to be more thoughtful in his behavioral choices. According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l, this parashah demonstrates that “the future is never as straightforward as we are led to believe. . . . The Jewish journey, though it has a destination, is long and has many digressions and setbacks.” Yet, as Genesis continues, we know that Jacob will wrestle with angels(?), with himself (?), with God (?), and then be given the name Israel, meaning, “he who struggles with God and with men and prevails.” The struggle which began in Rebekah’s womb continues into 2022.
Each of us is on a Jewish journey; each of us has a past which might include high levels of learning – or not. Each of us has to contend with the choices that life brings us, understanding that we do not know what the outcome will be. Metaphorically, there are two “nations” within each of us, one which is strong and assertive, and one which might be more philosophical, more pensive. Which of our “nations” will prevail in any given situation?
We see from the beginning how God wishes us to make good decisions. During this Thanksgiving week, let each of us wrestle with how we will behave at our tables. Will political rancor win the day? Will our Shabbat table bring true peace to all of those who remain in our homes for the holiday? And after the holiday is over, will we continue to ponder how we might enhance our own Jewish journey and perhaps the journey of others? In writing about Parashat Toldot, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l writes: “Life involves risk, which is why we need faith, and the courage to which faith gives rise. We are part of a story whose last chapter has not yet been written. That rests with us, as it rested with Jacob.”
Happy Thanksgiving and Shabbat Shalom