The Torah devotes three parshios to Avraham Avinu and Yaakov Avinu. In contrast, only parshas Toldos focuses on Yitzchak Avinu. And even in this parsha, there is only one story which involves Yitzchak and no other Av; the story of his time living in Gerar, the land of the
Read more →“And Yitzchak loved Esav for game was in his mouth, but Rivka loved Yaakov.”[1] One of the most difficult aspects of Parshas Toldos is Yitzchak Avinu’s preference for Esav over Yaakov Avinu. How could such a great man as Yitzchak believe that Esav was virtuous and more fitting
Read more →If someone approached you and guaranteed that you would receive 100 million dollars if you simply follow what they asked of you, would you agree to the deal? You may be cautious because you never know what this person has in mind for you to do (something
Read more →A few years ago I was attending a conference, and I heard a talk by Bob Burg, a motivational speaker and lecturer who specializes, I think, in sales, marketing and communication strategies that promote professional success. The title of the book which he handed out at the
Read more →Avraham and Sarah and Yitzchak Rav Yaakov Weinberg ZTL held that the phrase in the first pasuk of ‘Avraham holid es Yischak’ is telling us that Avraham alone could have produced a Yitzchak. Sarah without an Avraham could not have produced Yitzchak. Obviously Sarah contributed a tremendous
Read more →Topics covered in this class: A balanced world The test of childlessness. The buying of the birthright. Yitzchak and the blessings. Esav spoke in his heart. A balanced world. Each one of the Avos had an individual he had to contend with. There was always someone trying
Read more →25:19 The Torah devotes much of Braishis to the lives of Avraham (Lech Lecha, Vayera, Chayai Sarah) and to Yaakov (Vayetze, Vayishlach, Miketz, Vayigash, Vayichi), but very little, in contrast, to Yitzchak (Toldos), Yitzchak actually lived longer than either Avrahamor Yaakov. Also we see this in the Rambam (Idol Worshippers 1:3). He writes at length about Avraham’s and Yaakov’s efforts to make Hashem known in the world, whereas by Yitzchak he only
Read more →It is valuable before looking at the questions below, to discuss what you think are the main questions that need understanding in this section. Read Ch 25:19-34 Was Rivka the only Matriarch who was to be barren? Why did G-d give them these difficulties? See Source 1
Read more →Based on Rav Noah Weinberg This week’s parsha deals with one of the fundamental pillars of Judaism: free will. It is an unshakeable foundation of Jewish belief that a human being has free will to make the proper decisions in life. But how much of one’s character
Read more →Jewish Tradition: There are two types of anti-Semitism. Isaac and the Philistines and jealousy because we’re successful. Yaakov and Esau = A spiritual hatred of the Jewish people. Judaism says Esau is the ancestor of the Romans and the spiritual ancestor of the Christian church. He’s the
Read more →Goal: Illustrate the evil of a hedonist view of life and contrast it with the Jewish view of life. Secondary goal: Illustrate the role psychology has played in legitimizing evil. Teacher’s note: You’re goring some sacred cows here. Go carefully. Ask your class to read Genesis 25,19 —
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