The inner conflict within the Kiss of Esau
The Kiss of Esau When Jacob left home, his brother Esau wanted to kill him fortaking the blessing of their father, Isaac, as discussed above. Yearslater when they finally meet – the night after Jacob wrestles withthe angel – the Torah describes the meeting: “Esau ran towardshim [Jacob], embraced him, fell upon his neck, and […]
Watch Amazing Parshat Toldot Videos
Pathways Through the Orchard The Torah portion of Toldot begins by discussing Yitzhak praying for his wife to be able to bare children. Based on the text, we explore the idea that God was also praying. This concept is actually found in the Talmud and arouses deep questions and ideas. We further discuss Yitzchak’s attachment […]
In The Blessing Jacob Criticizes Reuben, Unstable Like Water
Reuben – Unstable Like Water Before he died, Jacob blessed his sons. He began with his firstborn: “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and my first vigor, foremost in rank and foremost in power. Unstable like water – you can not excel, because you went up on your father’s bed and defiled Him who […]
Amazing Insight into the Seven Crowns in the Name Yisrael
Seven Crowns When Jacob begins his journey to Egypt after being informed that Joseph is still alive, God comes to him in a night vision and addresses him as Yisrael (Genesis 46:2). The Ba’al HaTurim points out that there is a tradition that the letter shin of Yisrael (ישראל) has seven crowns instead of the […]
Two Fascinating Perspectives of the Word Brokenness
Two Perspectives of Brokenness As will be explained shortly, there is a deep allusion in Mikeitz to a fundamental teaching in Kabbalah. The catastrophic, cosmological event termed “the shattering of the vessels” occurred, according to the Arizal, when the initial lights of creation shattered the still immature vessels of creation. Yet, one should not imagine […]
Embracing Challenges in Your Life While Maintaining Inner Tranquility
The Search for Tranquility “And Jacob dwelt in the land in which his father had dwelt, in the Land of Canaan” (Genesis 37:1). Rashi’s comments on this verse taken from the Midrash are both unsettling and profound: “Jacob sought to settle in tranquility but the incident of Joseph thrust itself upon him. The righteous seek […]
Having A Sense of Humbleness Is Actually Elevating
“I have become small (katonti) from all the kindnesses and from all the truth that You have rendered Your servant, for with my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps” (Genesis 32:11). This statement is part of Jacob’s plea to God to protect him from his brother Esau who is […]
Jacob Left the Well of Seven Steadfast for Growth
This portion, which contains Jacob’s famous dream of a ladder reaching the heavens, commences with the following verse: “And Jacob went out from Beer Sheva and he went towards Haran” (Genesis 28:10). Rebbe Natan, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s closest disciple, explains this verse’s inner meaning and symbolism in the following manner. Since “Beer Sheva” literally […]
Isaac and Rebecca They Prayed Fervently Opposite One Another
The beginning of the portion of Toldot recounts the struggle of Isaac and Rebecca to have children: “And Isaac prayed to God opposite his wife because she was barren, and the Lord accepted his prayer, and Rebecca his wife conceived” (Genesis 25:21). One tradition states that Isaac and Rebecca stood on opposite sides of the […]
The Powerful Crying Of Abraham Over Sarah’s Death
“And Sarah died in Kiryat Arba, which is Hebron, in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to eulogize Sarah and to cry [mourn] for her” (Genesis 23:2). In this verse, there is a small letter chaf in the word “to cry (ולבכתה).” There are many different commentaries on the meaning of this diminished letter. […]