Parashat Toldot

God's expectations for the Israelites and the priests.

My Jewish Learning:Toldot: Pardes 5769

In this portion, children fall into the unfortunate trap of repeating their parents' mistakes.

The younger son and the enslaved people need not stay downtrodden forever.

Now is the time for the Jewish people to respond to regional and global concerns about water scarcity.

It is important to see the value in Esau as well as Jacob.

Jacob inspires us to overcome our Esau-like desires for instant gratification and physical power.

Isaac and Rebecca provide us with two models of parenting--love dependent on a specific interaction and love that is unconditional.

In their relationships with each other, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau, struggle between models of unity and connection and separation and deceit.