Toldot – Rabbi Jon 's Website and Blog

December 27, 2024

A Year of Jewish Ethics #7: Competition

The story of Yaakov and Esav is basically about an unending competition, which begins even in the womb over who will be born first. Esav wins, earning the birthright which would be relevant for inheritance way later — but Yaakov manages to get it from him in a deal for some lentil stew. The brothers… Continue reading

A Year of Jewish Ethics, Ethics, Parashat Hashavua, Psychology, Talmud, Toldot, Torah

November 21, 2023

Yitzchak’s Wells: Digging and Re-Digging Today

Genesis 26:17-18, from the Torah reading for the past week:“Yitzchak (Isaac) went from there and encamped in Nachal Gerar and lived there. And Yitzchak went back and dug all the wells of water that they had dug in the days of Avraham his father, and the Philistines had stopped them up after Avraham’s death, and… Continue reading

Antisemitism, Community Relations, Current Affairs, Gaza, History, Hope, Israel, Parashat Hashavua, Terrorism, Toldot, Torah

December 1, 2016

Torah Reflection on Truth and Peace as of Right after Thanksgiving

I just wanted to get on record some reflections on what it's like as a rabbi and leader right now, a snapshot in time. I have spoken previously about the prophetic verse Ha-emet v'ha-shalom ehavu – "Love truth and peace." In the Talmud, the verse is quoted in the course of an exploration of a debate between… Continue reading

Community Relations, Current Affairs, Election, Ethics, Freedom, Inclusion, Islam, Leadership, Parashat Hashavua, Rabbi, Thanksgiving, Tikkun Olam, Toldot, Tzedek, USA

November 4, 2010

Parashat Toldot: How Different is Different? Election 2010 Through the Lens of Jacob and Esau

Parashat Toldot begins with the pregnancy of Rivka. It is a difficult and uncomfortable pregnancy — "the children were running around inside her". She and Yitzchak approach God, who informs them: "Two peoples are in your belly, and two nations will separate from your insides. One nation over the other shall be stronger…" (Genesis 25:22-23).… Continue reading

Election, Parashat Hashavua, Toldot

November 19, 2009

Parashat Toldot: The Voice and Hands of Yaakov

"Jews are not an electrical people." One of my rabbinical school classmates quoted this line in a seminar, said I think by one of her friends. It rang true at the time; I knew very few Jewish people who finished their own basement or did anything involving wiring. Up here in New Hampshire the story… Continue reading

Parashat Hashavua, Toldot