Tol'dot
תּוֹלְדֹת
The Generations [of Isaac]
Genesis 25:19−28:9

When Is Tol'dot Read?
/ 29 Heshvan 5785
/ 2 Kislev 5786
/ 4 Kislev 5787
Summary
- Rebekah has twins, Esau and Jacob. (25:19-26)
- Esau gives Jacob his birthright in exchange for some stew. (25:27-34)
- King Abimelech is led to think that Rebekah is Isaac's sister and later finds out that she is really his wife. (26:1-16)
- Isaac plans to bless Esau, his firstborn. Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing. (27:1-29)
- Esau threatens to kill Jacob, who then flees to Haran. (27:30-45)
More Tol'dot Commentaries
Video: Learn About Parashat Tol'dot with Bim Bam
Toldot: Jacob, Esau, and Tough Talk About Cheating
Nechama Tamler digs into the family infighting of our ancestors, from Jacob tricking Esau into giving up his birthright to Rebekah's part in the scheme. Enjoy this video and others from Bim Bam.
Listen to Podcasts About Parashat Tol'dot
Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs discuss Parashat Tol'dot in these episodes of his podcast, On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah.
Who Will Carry Our Tradition Forward?
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Ten Minutes of Torah: Tol'dot Commentary
Accepting the Shadow
By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
In rabbinic literature, the twin brothers represent archetypes of two major civilizations: Jacob is Israel and Esau is Edom (Rome). Thus, the narrative becomes a fight between the forces of good and the forces of evil.
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