Parshat Toldot

1,962 related texts · Page 20 of 218

The birth of Jacob and Esau, Esau sells his birthright, Isaac and the Philistines, and Jacob receives Isaac's blessing through deception. Genesis 25:19-28:9.

Jacob's Legacy and Esau

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:272

After seemingly settling things with his brother Esau, Jacob was soon to discover that the past isn't always ready to stay buried. Imagine this: Jacob, still grieving the loss of h...

PatriarchsMatriarchsShabbat

Esau: Death of Jacob

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:426

And it raises a fascinating question: who takes responsibility? Who steps up to handle the sacred duty of burial? Interestingly, Jacob's other sons, his children besides Joseph, th...

PatriarchsJoseph

The Binding of Isaac and Jacob

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 10:34

We remember him most vividly, perhaps, from the Binding of Isaac, the Akeidah. A moment of ultimate faith, ultimate sacrifice averted at the last possible second. But what about th...

PatriarchsTemple

Abraham Isaac and Jacob

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 8:2

Jewish tradition offers a powerful and comforting message: that those who choose righteousness are deeply loved and cherished by God. In fact, the Midrash, specifically Bamidbar Ra...

HeavenPatriarchsJosephMoses

Abraham Isaac and Jacob of Chodesh

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 6:3

Take the creation story in Genesis, for example. We read in Genesis 1:16 that God made "two great lights" – the sun and the moon – to rule the day and the night. Seems straightforw...

CreationPatriarchsTorahMessiah

Isaac in Heaven and Esau

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 65:10

The ancient rabbis grappled with these questions constantly, poring over scripture for answers. One particularly poignant example comes from Bereshit Rabbah 65, as it tries to unde...

HeavenAngelsAdam & EvePatriarchs

Jacob and the Patriarchs and Blessings

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 66:1

We’re looking at section 66, and it all starts with the phrase, "And may God give you from the dew of the heavens." What’s so special about dew, anyway? The rabbis, masters of clos...

PatriarchsJobTorah

Esau: Jacob at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 67:7

"By your sword you will live, and you will serve your brother; it will be when you will revolt, you will remove his yoke from your neck" (Genesis 27:40). It’s a confusing mix of do...

CreationPatriarchsTorahProphecy

Esau: Jacob's Journey

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 68:1

Our ancestor Jacob certainly did. His journey to Ḥaran, fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau, is more than just a road trip; it's a masterclass in facing your fears. "Jacob depart...

CreationPatriarchsSolomon