Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Isaac loved Esau, because the game was in his mouth; but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Gen. 25:28). Of all the myriads of questions which rise up from this week’s portion of familial intrigue, sibling rivalry, filial deception and maternal manipulation, perhaps the …
Yaakov and Esav: Closeness and Alienation Yonat Lemberger is the Principal of Ulpanat Oriya In our portion of Toldot, a relationship is forged – between Yaakov and Esav, between Israel and Edom; a relationship so complex, yet so fascinating. Much like a suspense novel with twists and turns, our story is both sensational and sensual. …
Shabbat Shalom: Toldot (Genesis 25:19 – 28:9) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel — “Now Isaac loved Esau, because the hunt was in his mouth, while Rebecca loved Jacob” [Gen. 25:28]. The watershed moment in Jacob’s life—the repercussions of which surface in every subsequent generation of Jewish history—is the act deceiving his father, Isaac, in …
Bidding farewell to idol-worship; this time, for good Prayer is, above all else, an intimate encounter between a person and God. The prayer’s content includes requests and supplications from God, but the essence of the prayer is embodied, first and foremost, by the act of turning to Hashem. Content comes second. Rabbi Chaim Navon, senior faculty …
Parashat Toldot: An anti-hero or a hero against his will? The Esau of the Bible undergoes a change of image. He is portrayed differently in the biblical text than in rabbinical texts. His character is furthered transformed in Hebrew poetry. Yonat Lemberger is the principal of OTS’ Oriya High School for Girls. Esau is the …