Toldot: Genesis 25:19-28:9
Parsha Summary:
After the three deaths in last week’s portion, Sarah, Abraham and Ishmael, this is about the birth of Jacob and Esau. Rebecca was barren and Isaac prayed to G-d. The text tells us that Isaac was 40 when he married Rebecca and 60 when she finally gave birth. That is a long period of infertility, something women still struggle with today. What do we make of these fantastical numbers in the book of Genesis. Was Sarah really 90 when she gave birth? Isaac really 60? Does it matter?
Her pregnancy is not easy and she wonders why she even exists. She goes to “inquire” of G-d what is going on. G-d responds that there are two nations in her womb and the younger will serve the older foreshadowing much of what is to come. Esau is born first, hairy and red. Jacob, meaning heel comes out next, holding onto Esau. Isaac preferred Esau and Rebecca preferred Jacob. Esau trades his “first born” birthright for a pot of lentil stew.
There is an interlude repeated almost verbatim the scene with Abraham and Sarah, with Abimelech, Kind of the Philistines. Is Rebecca Isaac’s sister or his wife? Is this an early #MeToo Moment? Then more fighting over wells. Fighting over water rights continues to this day. One only needs to look to the Western United States and treaties over the use of the mighty Colorado River. These battles will continue to intensify as water sources continue to diminish.
When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim, he called Esau to him to bless him. What made Isaac’s eyes dim? His experience on the mountain with Abraham and the tears he must have shed? Something more like cataracts or macular degeneration? Could modern medicine helped here?
With Rebecca’s help, Jacob tricks Isaac into giving him the blessing reserved for the first born. Esau pleads with Isaac for some blessing which Isaac offers, sadly, differently. Esau threatens to kill Jacob.
Table Topics:
- What do you think of the debate about nurture versus nature? Do you see examples of this question in this week’s portion? How does this play into sibling rivalry?
- When Rebecca who was barren went to l’derosh G-d, to seek out G-d, how is she different, or alike women today who struggle with infertility and go to a fertility clinic. How could modern science have helped Isaac and Rebecca?
- What legacy do we want to leave our children? What blessings do we want to give them?
- How do we feel about Esau? About Jacob? Did the right person get the birthright? Was there a way to share? Did Jacob (and Rebecca have to trick Isaac?
Labs at Home:
Read this summary about nurture versus nature about whether grit is learned or genetic. It is about twins. https://characterlab.org/tips-of-the-week/nature-versus-nurture/
The full, academic abstract from a Spanish genetics team is here: https://www.pnas.org/content/102/30/10604
Songs::
He Aint Heavy, He’s My Brother
We are Family—I’ve got all my sisters with me
Acts of Kindness:
Write an ethical will. This is most often a spiritual, emotional, values based letter to your descendants outlining your wishes and hopes and dreams for your children and grandchildren. It is not how to disperse property or the living will/durable power of attorney. There are plenty of examples here:
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/writing-an-ethical-will-how-to-get-started/
Alternatively, make a pot of lentil stew and share it with friends, family, neighbors. It is a good source of protein and it may even help with climate change—but that is a story for another day. Here is a recipe:
Lentil Barley Soup
2 cups red lentils
3/4 cup pearl barley
2 carrots, diced
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
8 cups water or stock
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
Add all ingredients together in a soup pot, bring to boil and simmer one hour. Stir occasionally. The soup thickens as it cooks, so add water as needed to desired consistency.
Very hearty, thick soup… and it freezes well!
From the More with Less Cookbook and Anne Schwartz