Two Minute Torah Podcast

Toldot 5769 by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik

Shalom! My name is Gerry Skolnik, and I am the Rabbi of the Forest Hills Jewish Center in Queens, NY. Welcome to Koach's Two-Minute Torah, a project of the College Department of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Parashat Toldot begins with the birth of Jacob and Esau, an occasion of great joy for the formerly barren Rebecca and her husband Isaac. But by the time the parasha ends, Jacob has bartered from his brother his first-born's share of Isaac's estate for the astoundingly cheap price of a bowl of lentil soup, and also, with his mother's blessing and at her directive, has deceived his father and deprived that same brother Esau of the choice spiritual blessing that was coming to him. The parasha ends with Jacob fleeing for his life from his furious brother Esau, who feels unloved, unwanted, and unsure of what the future might hold.

There are, of course, many different ways to view this story. The ancient rabbis were sure that Jacob was the right son to inherit his father and the responsibility for the new covenant with God, and their certainty fed many legends and traditions about Esau's alleged negative qualities. Others, particularly modern commentators, are bothered by the painting of Esau as the “bad child,” citing the absence of corroborating evidence from the text itself.

But no matter how one chooses to understand the implications of what transpires in Parashat Toldot, Esau emerges hurt, and vengeful. And it's hard to blame him. For me, the sad evidence of his anger and hurt are found in the closing verses of the parasha.

When Esau hears that Isaac and Rebecca have sent Jacob to his uncle Laban's house, both for his physical safety and also, just as importantly, to find a suitable wife from within the clan, Esau realizes that his father Isaac wants no part of the Canaanite women for Jacob. But he too is looking to marry. So what does he do? He marries Mahalat, the daughter of Yishmael. The alienated and unhappy Esau marries the daughter of the other great alienated member of the clan- Yishmael, who was expelled from his father Abraham's home.

Thanksgiving has a way of bringing together family members who “have issues.” It might be helpful to remember that families have been struggling with "issues" since the days of Genesis…

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!