Parsha Toldot: The Almost Repetitive Torah

This week’s parsha (weekly Torah portion) is called Toldot which means generations, as in, “These are the generations of Yitzhak (Isaac),” which is how the parsha begins.  It seems a little strange to call this parsha, “Generations,” considering it really only focuses on one generation:  the two sons of Yitzhak, Asov (Esau) and Yaakov (Jacob).  If any of you out there want to read one idea on this subject, I invite you to look back to what I wrote for … Continue reading

Parsha Mishpatim: Torah Beyond the Words

This week we read a parsha (weekly Torah portion) called Mishpatim, which means sentences in Hebrew.  The word can be used just like the English word; for both a sentence like the one you are reading, or what a judge pronounces.  In the parsha it is used in the latter way, for the parsha Mishpatim is almost all about laws concerning how to live.  First, we read about how to treat a Hebrew slave.  We then read of laws regarding … Continue reading