PARSHA POSTS: TOLEDOT

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Dec 4, 2024, 4:06 AM

From Jacob to Israel: Lies and Hate

Sometimes, it takes a crisis to realise how self-centred we’ve been or the need to elevate ourselves, find faith, and rediscover our purpose. This week’s Torah reading begins with Jacob’s journey, introduced by the word Vayeitze – he went...

Dec 2, 2024, 6:32 PM

Birthdays, Blessings and the Beauty of Life

A close friend passed away recently. I spoke about her in my shul to mark the month, which happened to coincide with my husband's birthday. In ״Alice in Wonderland”, The Mad Hatter says that - “There are three hundred and sixty-four...

Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden

Dec 2, 2024, 7:11 AM

Abraham was kind, Isaac was straight, and Jacob was honest—who are we kidding?

Can their actions be justified without us becoming apologists? Abraham delivered the 'unkindest cuts' to his household (circumcision) and was willing to slaughter his Jewish son on an altar; this is kindness? Isaac hung out with his wicked son Esau; that...

Dec 1, 2024, 5:55 PM

Hearts and Livers: The Conflict of Yaakov and Esav Over Survival and Meaning

The modern family can relate to the story of Yaakov and Esav more than is probably comfortable to admit. How two siblings can be so different and how two parents can be so at odds is beyond perplexing. From...

Nov 29, 2024, 5:29 PM

Ron Dermer, Zohar Argov and Jacob’s Blessing

One of my survival rules here between me, myself and I is to minimize listening to the news, and especially, commentators who pontificate in the TV studios. And yet, here and there I still fall, and am reminded why...

G. Orah Adarah Paris

Nov 29, 2024, 5:25 PM

Parashat Tol’dot: A Hidden Collaboration

The following essay is a highly revised version of the d’var Torah I posted in 2023, adding more supporting commentary. The Zohar on Parasha Tol’dot (135a) explains that the full wisdom of Gd is in seeing something joyful in all...

William Hamilton

Nov 29, 2024, 4:03 PM

Another Tale of Love and Darkness

“I’m sick of telling the story because it’s important. I just want some peace and quiet.” This from 15-year-old Gali. Her adroit use of WhatsApp on that terrifying October 7 morning, provided the IDF with precise locations for hundreds...

Nov 29, 2024, 3:55 PM

Toldot: Learning from Everyone

Artwork by Michoel Muchnik

This week’s parasha is centred around a turning point in Tanach. Esav and Ya’akov are born, the Torah specifically telling us how Ya’akov enters this world holding onto his brother’s ankle, desperate to be the one who enters the...

Nov 29, 2024, 3:52 PM

Internal strength

Alvord Lake Bridge, Golden Gate Park - San Francisco, California, USA, made of reinforced concrete. (CCO, Daderot/ Wikimedia Commons)

Like reinforced concrete, law and justice are things we take for granted – that is, until things go terribly wrong (Toledot)

Nov 29, 2024, 1:43 PM

The Tragedy of Good Intentions (Toldot, Covenant & Conversation)

It is the deep, reverberating question at the heart of Toldot. Why did Rebecca tell Jacob to deceive Isaac and take Esau’s blessing? Her instruction is brisk and peremptory: Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you:...

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