Parashat Toledoth (Genesis 25:19 - 28:9)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

Parashat Toledoth, Genesis 25:19 - 28:9, brings Isaac to center stage with his wife and two sons. It is interesting how the Torah shows us these people, our ancestors, with all of their imperfections in clear view. Although throughout the centuries commentators have worked very hard to prove that these people were not doing anything wrong, there is a certain comfort in their foibles and mistakes. We can learn that we too can be imperfect and acheive great things.

Isaac and Rivka have two sons. What are there names? One is a hunter and one stays in tents, which is which? Which one does the Torah prefer? Which one would you rather be? Why?
As Esav and Isaac grow up each one is the favorite of one of their parents. Which parent prefers which child? Why? Is being a hunter something that all dads would appreciate? How about staying close to home, would all moms naturally like that?
Yaakov gets Esav to surrender his birthright for a bowl of soup. What is the birthright? Should Yaakov have taken advantage of his hungry brother in that way? Should Esav have sold his inheritance for just a bowl of soup? What does this incident tell us about the characters of these two people?
When she was pregnant with the boys, God told Rivka that one of her boys was going to rule over the other. So therefore might she have just been doing God's will when she dressed Yaakov up like Esav and had the younger steal the blessing of the older? Why else would she have done this? If he had already given up the birthright did Esav really still deserve the blessing? Do the blessing and the birthright have to be connected?
Isaac says, "The voice is the voice of Yaakov but the hands are the hands of Esav. (Gen. 27:22)." Do those sound like the words of someone who is really being fooled? If he is not really being fooled then why is he going along with this? Later on he cries and says, "Your brother has come with deceit and has taken away your blessing. (Gen. 27:35)" Now which is it? Is he fooled or isn't he? What do you think? Can you fool someone by putting some goat skins on your arms? Why might Isaac have "let" himself be fooled? Where is God in all of this?