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 Vayichi: The Torah Ends an Era

This week’s parsha (Torah portion) marks more then the end of the first book of the Torah.  It also marks the passing of an era.  We start by discovering Yakov (Jacob) is dying and we end with the death of Yoseph (Joseph). Both of these have something in common:  neither want their remains left in Egypt.  We do not hear of this request from anyone else.  And interestingly, the parsha is entitled Vay’chi which can mean he lived or he … Continue reading