Parashat Toldot (Offspring)
Beresheet (Genesis) 25:19-28:9
Haftarah I Samuel 20:18-42
Shabbat Erev Chodesh (Special Reading for the eve of the new month)

This week’s Torah portion, Toldot, along with its Haftarah, gives us a glimpse into God’s divine plan and the destructive nature of jealousy. Through these stories, we learn timeless lessons about trust, humility, and the consequences of letting emotions rule our actions.

The Torah reading opens by tracing Isaac’s lineage and the introduction of Rebekah, his wife, who initially struggled with barrenness. Isaac prayed to God, and Rebekah conceived twins. Even in the womb, the children were in conflict, prompting Rebekah to seek God’s guidance. God revealed a profound prophecy:

Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples shall be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger.
Genesis 25:23

This prophecy established that Jacob, the younger son, would surpass Esau, the elder, overturning the traditional expectations of the firstborn inheriting leadership and blessings. In ancient times, this would have been shocking, as the eldest son typically carried the hopes of the family’s future. God’s declaration here underscores His authority and ability to work beyond human traditions.

The story of Jacob and Esau continues as they grow into two very different men. Esau, a skillful hunter, loved the outdoors, while Jacob preferred the quieter life of the tents. One day, Esau came home exhausted and begged Jacob for a meal. Jacob seized the opportunity and demanded Esau’s birthright in exchange:

Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?’ Thus Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:32–34

Esau totally disregarded the spiritual responsibility and future blessings tied to his birthright, whereas Jacob was shrewdly determined to secure it.

As Isaac grew old and blind, he prepared to bestow his blessing on Esau, believing him to be the rightful heir. However, Rebekah, remembering God’s prophecy, devised a plan for Jacob to receive the blessing instead. Jacob, disguised as Esau, approached his father and received a powerful, prophetic blessing:

May peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you; be master of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you.
Genesis 27:28–29

When Esau learned of this, he was furious and vowed to kill Jacob after Isaac’s death:

So Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”
Genesis 27:41

Tragically, Esau’s jealousy blinded him to God’s plan, driving him further into bitterness and conflict.

The Haftarah echoes the theme of jealousy through the story of King Saul and David. Saul’s jealousy began when the people celebrated David’s victories more than his own. This envy consumed him, leading him to plot David’s death. However, Saul’s son Jonathan, recognizing God’s favor on David, sought to protect him. Jonathan devised a plan to warn David of Saul’s intentions:

As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.
I Samuel 20:23

Jonathan’s loyalty and humility contrast sharply with his father’s jealousy. By submitting to God’s will, Jonathan became an instrument of peace and protection, even at great personal cost. 

Jealousy has the power to blind individuals, preventing them from recognizing God’s greater plan. Instead of focusing on divine purposes, it causes people to fixate on personal grievances, leading to bitterness and destructive actions. God’s plan often transcends human traditions and expectations, as seen in Jacob’s rise over Esau and David’s anointing over Saul. These stories demonstrate the peace and blessings that come from aligning with God’s will, even when His plan challenges conventional wisdom or our personal desires.

As we enter the weekend, let’s examine our own hearts. Are we, like Esau and Saul, holding on to jealousy and resentment? Or are we embracing humility and faith, like Rebekah and Jonathan? 

God’s divine plan is often beyond our understanding, and it may seem unfair at times. Yet, it is crucial to guard our hearts against jealousy, as it can blind us to the blessings and purposes God has set before us. By trusting in His will, we can find peace and clarity, even in the midst of struggle. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran