What We Miss:

The central theme in Toldot is the introduction of the Rebecca & Isaac & Esau & Jacob saga. We need to read this portion on two distinct levels. First, on a visceral level; we read about a dysfunctional family burdened by ineffective parenting and intense sibling rivalry. The behavior of parents and children is often short sighted and sometimes cruel. The second level of reading offers a more global understanding of what the Torah conveys in the Genesis stories about the formation and evolution of Jewish peoplehood/nationhood. Only through the more global lens can we understand the unprecedented role played by Rebekah; a woman whose primary role is as clan leader rather than as wife or mother.

The typical reader will focus on two brothers, Esau and Jacob, who epitomize the essence of sibling rivalry. Esau and Jacob are worlds apart in terms of appearance, interests, motivations and intellect. Much of Toldot details how Jacob stole Esau’s birthright (something legally transferrable in antiquity) and blessing.

There is a brief interlude in the family saga to share Isaac’s adventures in the land of Gerar, Philistine territory northwest of Beersheva. Isaac and family sojourn to Gerar during a time of famine in Canaan. God re-affirms the Covenant made with Abraham and instructs Isaac not to travel to Egypt. During the Gerar adventure, Isaac identifies Rebekah as his sister (sound familiar?) in order to spare his life. We then learn how Isaac prospered during the time of famine.

What We Include:

Our triennial reading picks up near the end of the global reading of our saga. As God previously directs Rebekah to insure that Jacob (and not Esau) assumes clan leadership, she devises a scheme, which enables Jacob to stealthily “acquire” the first born blessing intended for Esau. Having dressed Jacob up as his hunter brother would have appeared, Jacob approaches his elderly, nearly blind father pretending to be Esau. Jacob is convincing and receives the blessing; a binding, legal statement about Jacob’s anointment as clan leader. Isaac’s blessing includes some beautiful words:

May God give you
Of the dew of heaven
And the fat of the earth…
Abundance of new grain and wine

The frame of reference for the blessing is agricultural (depicting the family environment); yet the ultimate message in the blessing is that Jacob will rule over his brother’s descendants. Anyone challenging Jacob will be cursed. When Esau discovers what has happened he pleads for a similar blessing. Isaac can offer nothing except the reality of Esau living primarily by the sword. Filled with rage, Esau threatens to kill Jacob. Prompted by her disdain for the local single women of marital age, Rebekah uses the women as an excuse to send Jacob away to live with her brother. Rebekah certainly did not want Jacob to marry one of the locals (we know that Esau, to Rebekah’s chagrin, already married a local). Rebekah however, needing to convince Isaac that Jacob had to be sent away to find a suitable, future partner. Although Rebekah was pulling the strings, ancient custom demanded that Isaac had to at least be the titular leader of his clan. Isaac therefore, instructed Jacob to travel to Rebekah’s family for marital reasons. Rebekah’s end game was really to get Jacob far, far away from his enraged brother.

The portion ends with Esau taking another wife whom he knew his mother would disapprove.

Thoughts to Consider

*The text suggests that Jacob was uncomfortable about lying to his father. He was manipulated by his mother; the first of several paybacks for deceiving his brother. Knowing that Jacob was a reluctant participant in the blessing scheme re-enforces the notion that Rebekah alone was responsible for manipulating future clan history. She must ensure that Jacob would become clan successor.

*On a more visceral level, imagine the words and the tone of any conversation Isaac and Esau would have with Rebekah. The Torah does not include such details. Try to fill in the missing gaps…

*As much as we love and adore our children and grandchildren, can we imagine a scenario - personal or professional - in which we might elevate a younger child over the elder. How might you handle such a circumstance?

Remember that we are reading the Genesis stories on two levels. Genesis is a Book intended to detail our origins, but also to set the stage for a community enslaved in Egypt. Were ancient history to be altered, there might not be a slavery in Egypt or even a future Jewish people.

Haftorah Reading – 1 Samuel 20:18-42

Whenever the new month (Rosh Hodesh) falls on a Sunday, the Sabbath before we read a special Haftorah about an event that took place on the eve of a new month. This Haftorah is the poignant and tragic story about David and Jonathan. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, the future king, were wonderful friends. David was like a son to Saul, often joining them for meals. Unfortunately, over time Jonathan’s father became very jealous of David’s popularity and accomplishments. Saul became so enraged that he threatened to kill David. When Jonathan learned about his father’s intentions, he devised a plan to warn David about imminent danger. David was forced into hiding, no longer able to continue his wonderful friendship with Jonathan. Eventually, Saul and Jonathan died in battle.

While this story demonstrates the highest ideals of friendship, it also shares the tragic jealousy of a king who destroyed that friendship.

We parents are known for being overprotective of our children. In the case of Saul, the issue was not overprotectiveness but envy and rage. Saul denied his son a special friendship.