Parshat Toldot

2,248 related texts · Page 9 of 47

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.

Kingdom of Abraham of Jacob

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 22:34

That feeling, that connection, is at the heart of this passage from the Book of Jubilees. Jubilees, for those unfamiliar, is an ancient Jewish text that retells the stories of Gene...

PatriarchsExileAbrahamKings

Abraham Dies in Jacob's Arms at Night

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 22:37

The Book of Jubilees, a text bubbling with ancient wisdom and considered canonical in some traditions, gives us a glimpse. Imagine the scene: Abraham, nearing the end of his days, ...

PatriarchsPrayerAbrahamMusic & Song

Jacob Receives Abraham's Covenant of Love

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 22:41

It’s a beautiful, almost intimate, scene from the life of Jacob, the patriarch who would become known as Israel. Specifically, we are looking at Chapter 22. Imagine old Jacob, his ...

Noah & FloodPatriarchsTorahCovenant

Isaac Blessed Because Abraham Obeyed God's Voice

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 24:21

We find ourselves with Isaac, the son of Abraham, a man who clearly inherited not only his father's land, but also, crucially, his father's unwavering faith. The text tells us, "be...

Noah & FloodPatriarchsTorahDeath

Isaac Curses the Philistines for Their Cruelty

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 24:41

We're going to dive into one of those today, straight from the Book of Jubilees. Now, the Book of Jubilees is a fascinating text. It’s considered apocryphal by many, meaning it's n...

HeavenPatriarchsJudgment

Rebecca Blesses Jacob Before He Departs in Jubilees

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 25:9

We're going to be talking about Jacob, and a very specific moment in his life as found in the Book of Jubilees. Now, the Book of Jubilees—sometimes called Lesser Genesis—is a fasci...

PatriarchsHoly LandWomen of the BibleJacob

Jacob Vows to Marry Within His Father's Kindred

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 25:13

to a fascinating passage from the Book of Jubilees, a text considered sacred by some, a valuable historical document by others. In it, we hear Jacob, later to be known as Israel, w...

PatriarchsSoulJacobHumor

Jacob's Vision of Abraham

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 27:29

This book, considered apocryphal by some but deeply important to others, offers a unique perspective on familiar biblical stories. We're looking specifically at Chapter 27. Imagine...

PatriarchsDreams & VisionsJacobHumor

Jacob Works Seven More Years for Rachel

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 28:19

Let’s look at a moment tucked away in the Book of Jubilees, chapter 28. It's a passage that, on the surface, seems simple, but whispers volumes about love, labor, and divine interv...

PatriarchsMatriarchsJacobAdam & Eve

Jacob and the Heavenly Realms of Shechem

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 30:35

Take the story of Jacob's sons and the city of Shechem. It's a brutal tale, full of moral complexities. And it's found not just in Genesis, but also amplified in other ancient Jewi...

HeavenPatriarchsPrayerCovenant

Jacob Builds an Altar at Bethel on the New Moon

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 31:8

Our scene opens with Jacob, newly blessed and carrying the weight of his future. He ascends to Bethel, a place already heavy with significance – the very spot where he had that ear...

PatriarchsTempleSacrifice

Levi's Transgression of Jacob

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 31:25

The tribe of Levi receives a unique blessing—and with it, a sacred role. They will "speak the word of the Lord in righteousness, and they will judge all His judgments in righteousn...

PatriarchsPrayerHoly LandSacrifice

God Tells Jacob to Return to His Father's House

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 32:31

That’s kind of where Jacob finds himself in the Book of Jubilees. Jacob, is about to leave Egypt. A pivotal moment. But before he goes, he receives a divine message, a glimpse into...

PatriarchsJosephEgypt

Seven Amorite Kings Plot to Ambush Jacob's Sons

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 34:4

The scene is set: the seven kings of the Amorites—ancient inhabitants of Canaan—are plotting against Jacob and his sons. They're lurking, hiding under trees, with less than noble i...

PatriarchsJosephSoulHoly Land

Isaac's Warning Against Idolatry in Jubilees

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 36:7

It’s a book filled with fascinating expansions on the stories we find in Genesis, and here, we find a heartfelt plea passed down through generations. This passage comes in the 36th...

CreationHeavenPatriarchsPrayer

Esau's Sons Force Him to Fight His Own Brother

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 37:15

A dangerous thing. That’s exactly where we find Esau in the Book of Jubilees, chapter 37. His sons, seeing an opportunity, are pushing him, demanding he lead them into battle again...

PatriarchsMatriarchsMysticism

Death of Jacob

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 37:22

The Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text expanding on Genesis, dives deep into such a betrayal, a family feud that echoes through generations. We find ourselves in the middle o...

PatriarchsDeathCovenant

Isaac Dies the Same Year Joseph Rises to Power

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 40:19

The Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text that retells and expands upon stories from Genesis, picks up the narrative with Joseph at a pivotal moment. It tells us that on the ver...

PatriarchsJosephMosesEgypt

Jacob Agonizes Over Sending Benjamin to Egypt

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 42:23

The famine in the land was brutal. The people were starving. Desperate, Jacob turned to his sons: "Go again," he pleaded, "and procure food for us, that we die not." But his sons w...

SoulHoly LandTribesPatriarchs

Jacob and the Patriarchs of Goshen

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 44:13

That feeling, that tension, is right at the heart of the story we find in the Book of Jubilees as Jacob, now also known as Israel, prepares to leave the familiar for the unknown. T...

PatriarchsJosephHoly LandEgypt

Jacob's Miracle of Egypt

Apocrypha Book of Jubilees 46:20

Chapter 46 tells us about a significant moment: the Israelites, after a period of time, gathered up all the bones of Jacob’s children, with one notable exception: Joseph. And where...

PatriarchsJosephHoly LandEgypt

Esau Kills Nimrod and Steals the Sacred Garments

Book of Jasher Jasher 27

Sefer haYashar, as it's known in Hebrew, is an ancient text referenced in the Bible itself (Joshua 10:13 and (2 Samuel 1:1)8), though the version we have today is likely a medieval...

PatriarchsProphecyDeath

Laban: Jacob in Battle

Book of Jasher Jasher 30

The Book of Jasher, an ancient Hebrew text referenced in the Bible itself (Joshua 10:13 and (2 Samuel 1:1)8), fills in some fascinating details.. Jacob, now on the run toward Haran...

HeavenPatriarchsMatriarchsProphecy

God Sends Terror Upon the Kings Who Threaten Jacob

Book of Jasher Jasher 35

They were definitely outnumbered, and not exactly popular with the neighbors. But then, something amazing happened. Chapter 35 of the Book of Jasher opens with all the kings of the...

PatriarchsJosephMosesPrayer

Joseph: Jacob's Journey

Book of Jasher Jasher 41

After journeying from Shechem to Hebron to be with their father Isaac, Jacob's sons settled in the valley. The pastures of Shechem were still good, and that’s where they tended the...

Hell/GehennaAngelsPatriarchsMatriarchs

Jacob Sends His Sons to Egypt for Grain

Book of Jasher Jasher 51

Remember, this is an ancient Hebrew text, not considered canon, but full of fascinating stories filling in gaps in the biblical narrative. Our story picks up with Jacob and his son...

PatriarchsJosephMosesTemple

Jacob Refuses to Send Benjamin to Egypt

Book of Jasher Jasher 52

To recap, the brothers have already journeyed to Egypt to buy food during a brutal famine, encountering the powerful and mysterious Egyptian viceroy– who is secretly their long-los...

CreationHeavenNoah & FloodPatriarchs

Jacob Before the Flood

Book of Jasher Jasher 56

Book of Jasher, a fascinating, albeit non-canonical, work that expands upon biblical narratives. According to Jasher, Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen years, reaching the ripe ol...

Noah & FloodPatriarchsJosephMoses

Esau's Grandsons Wage War Over His Unburied Body

Book of Jasher Jasher 57

Chapter 57 of the Book of Jasher gives us a glimpse into a world where old rivalries simmer, erupt, and reshape the landscape. The chapter opens with a clash: the sons of Esau wage...

PatriarchsJosephMessiahSoul

Pharaoh Forces Jacob's Sons to Build His Palace

Book of Jasher Jasher 61

The chapter opens with Pharaoh, secure in his reign, commanding the construction of a magnificent palace. And who does he enlist to help? None other than the sons of Jacob, adding ...

PatriarchsJosephMosesWisdom

The Birth Of Isaac

Ginzberg Vol. 1

According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, the story starts with a prayer. Abraham had prayed for Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, and when Abimelech recovere...

CreationAngelsHeavenTorah

The Wooing Of Rebekah

Ginzberg Vol. 1

The story begins with Abraham, who, concerned about finding the right wife for his son Isaac, sends his trusted servant Eliezer on a mission to Haran. Eliezer is laden with gifts a...

CreationAngelsHeavenTorah

The Birth Of Jacob's Children

Ginzberg Vol. 1

It’s a tale of love, rivalry, prayer, and a whole lot of divine intervention. the Torah tells us about Jacob’s preference for Rachel over Leah. But the ways of God, as Legends of t...

CreationAngelsHell/GehennaTorah

Isaac Blesses Levi And Judah

Ginzberg Vol. 1

But imagine the weight of a vow to the Almighty, left unfulfilled. According to Legends of the Jews, as retold by Ginzberg, Jacob found himself in just such a predicament. He'd mad...

AngelsHeavenHell/GehennaPatriarchs

The Blessing Of Ephraim And Manasseh

Ginzberg Vol. 2

It all starts with Jacob, also known as Israel, nearing the end of his life in Egypt. Asenath, Joseph's wife, notices Jacob's declining health. Knowing the power of a righteous man...

CreationAngelsTorahPatriarchs

The Blessing Of The Twelve Tribes

Ginzberg Vol. 2

What would you say? Would you offer blessings, warnings, or maybe even a bit of both? That's what happened with Jacob, also known as Israel, as he lay dying in Egypt, surrounded by...

CreationAngelsHeavenMessiah

Jacob Passes the Torch From His Deathbed to Moses

Ginzberg Vol. 2

The traditional texts give us some fascinating, and sometimes surprising, details. So, picture this: Jacob, having blessed each of his sons individually, gathers them all together ...

AngelsHell/GehennaMessiahPatriarchs

Abimelech in Battle

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:184

Dreams have always held a powerful sway over our imaginations, and in the world of the Torah, they're often a direct line to the divine. But what happens when a dream delivers a wa...

Noah & FloodPatriarchsMatriarchsProphecy

Abimelech Took Sarah and God Struck His Household

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:187

Let’s delve into a fascinating encounter in the lives of Abraham and Abimelech and see what we can uncover. Remember the story? Abraham, fearing for his life in Gerar, tells everyo...

PatriarchsMatriarchsMosesRepentance

Abimelech Brought Twenty Advisors to Strike a Deal with Abraham

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:205

Turns out, even he had to deal with pushy neighbors and the occasional diplomatic dance. After a twenty-six-year stay in Philistine lands, Abraham moved near Hebron. Can you imagin...

PatriarchsAbrahamHumorSamson

Isaac Blessed God for Reviving Him from the Altar

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:238

The story doesn’t just end there. There’s more to the tale, details that paint a richer, more complete picture of this pivotal moment in Jewish history. According to Legends of the...

DemonsAdam & EvePatriarchsJob

When Sarah Died the Blessings Left the Land

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:264

Her death, according to Legends of the Jews, wasn't just a family tragedy. It was a blow to the whole land. Imagine the shift: while she lived, things flowed smoothly, blessings ab...

PatriarchsMatriarchsDeath

Isaac Kept the Sabbath Before It Was Commanded

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:281

It wasn’t just about being chosen; it was about who he was. The text tells us, in Legends of the Jews, that all the blessings showered upon him weren't undeserved. He was “clean of...

PatriarchsTorahTempleSoul

Abraham — Isaac and the Patriarchs

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:296

It’s a poignant moment, and the Torah is silent about Isaac's immediate reaction. But Jewish tradition, ever eager to fill in the gaps, gives us a fascinating glimpse into what mig...

PatriarchsMatriarchsTorahWomen of the Bible

Abraham Refused to Bless Isaac to Avoid Jealousy

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 5:300

It’s a question that echoes through the ages, and the ancient texts offer a fascinating glimpse into the heart and mind of this pivotal figure. Even though Abraham knew in his hear...

AngelsPatriarchsPrayerShabbat

Jacob and the First Humans

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:13

Take the tale of Jacob and Esau. As babies, they were basically indistinguishable. Like a myrtle and a thorn bush just sprouting – you can't tell them apart yet. But give them time...

Adam & EvePatriarchsJoseph

Abraham — Isaac Among the Fathers

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:35

Take Isaac, for example. His life, as the great compilation Legends of the Jews tells us, reads like a mirror image of his father Abraham's. Abraham had to leave his homeland. So d...

PatriarchsJosephTempleHoly Land

Laban Consulted a Prophet About How Long to Keep Jacob

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:116

Laban, in the Bible, certainly felt that way about his nephew, Jacob. Now, Laban wasn't exactly known for his generosity. When he heard about Jacob's arrival, penniless and seeking...

PatriarchsPrayerShabbatJudgment