Toldot Videos

Is a bowl of lentil soup worth selling your birthright for? Find out in this really funny video some guys made!

Topics include: Rebecca’s pregnancy, Jacob and Esau as reincarnations of Cain and Abel, why Jacob carried the fragrance of the Garden of Eden.

The relationship between Abraham and Isaac as embodiments of love and fear teaches us the proper emotional balance in our relationship with G-d. Presenter: Rabbi Levenger

The seemingly repetitious verse "Isaac was the son of Abraham; Abraham begat Isaac" contains a secret for Jewish survival.

Discover why Eisav was compared to a swine.

Parents and children should both have nachas and Jewish joy from each other.

Why is it so important to perform all the details of halachah in such an exacting manner? Should not the focus merely be about our sense of devotion and love and care for one another? A deeper look into the genetic makeup and rivalry of the identical twins Yaakov and Eisav offers insight into this matter. (A lecture at the Jewish Women’s Retreat in Toronto in 2015)

When Yitzchak bestows the blessing of the first-born, rather than invoking the name of G-d associated with mercy and benevolence, he invokes the name of G-d associated with judgment and severity. This class will explain this oddity and offers an encouraging message for our times.

The very name Yitzchok (Isaac) means joy. Yet Yitzchok is classically described as personifying the properties of discipline, awe and strict justice. How are we to reconcile these contrasting attributes and what is the lesson for our personal lives? (Likutei Sichos vol. 30)

Jacob and Esau wrestled with each-other while yet in their mother's womb. Their struggle, explain our Sages, was over possession of both this world – the physical, and the hereafter – the spiritual. But why the battle over both worlds?! Jacob desires the world of holiness and spirituality and Esau the sensual, material world. So what's to fight about? Each to his own! (Likutei Sichos vol 20)

Esau married his uncle Ishmael's daughter Machalat. Was Machalat righteous or wicked? Scripture gives us evidence to argue both ways.

Emulating our forefather Isaac's financial success and how he apportioned his wealth to tzedakah—charity.

This portion begins with the verse, “These (Jacob and Esau) are the offspring of Yitzchak" but the Hebrew word for offspring (toldot) is missing a letter vav. Also, when it says that Rebecca is pregnant with twins, the Hebrew word for twins (te'omim) is missing a letter aleph.

The Torah records minute details about Rebecca’s first and only pregnancy. Did her twin sons, Jacob and Esau, have free choice to become who they wanted to be or were their personalities predestined from the womb?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The parsha of Toldot contains 106 verses and the mnemonic for it is the word ‘ulo’ (yoke). Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

The birth and development of Yaakov and Eisav was rife with inexplicable tension and conflict. Explore the genome, nature and nurture of these wrestling twins in the womb, and how their phenomenal twin birth may correlate with modern science.

The story of Yaakov deceiving his father and stealing the blessings from his brother Eisav is full of mystery. One peculiar detail is Eisav’s special garment that Yaakov wears for the scheme.

Erudite elucidation of the Parsha’s opening establishes its primary narrative; leading into cryptic and conflicting traditions about the terrestrial years our Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob spent in unison. Exploring diverse meanings of these cherished teachings leads us into a profound new understanding and appreciation of foundational Torah commentary. The emerging enlightenment ultimately provides incredible insight for the possibility of Jewish unity in these stormy times!

A child shouldn’t be expected to be a miniature replica of his parent. Individual character traits need to be honed and channeled.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

We learn so much from a seed. One tiny seed can yield a tree overflowing with fruit. True abundance comes from a special kind of planting, with a certain kind of attitude. Learn how to invest in a way that will yield abundance and blessing.

Are you the ultimate uninhibited extrovert? Or perhaps you are a definitive introvert? No need to conform. Cultivate your own unique path in your service of our Creator!

A closer look at the opening narrative in the Torah portion of Toldot about Isaac and his offspring—examining the differencing approaches in the commentaries, with special emphasis on Rash’s interpretation through the lens of the manuscripts.

Our Sages taught, “There are three whose sins are forgiven: (a) A convert upon converting, (b) one who is elevated to a high position and (c) when one marries.” This class explores the Scriptual source for the latter and in so doing addresses the question why this final Exile has been far longer than the previous exiles the Jewish people have endured. (Likutei Sichos volume 35, Sicha 3)

Discover layers of significance to the mitzvah of tzedakah, which is so much more that simple charity.

A profound, thought-provoking and fascinating exploration of how our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob might have fulfilled the mitzvah of Tefillin in their own time! Discover shocking secrets about strange practices of our hallowed ancestors that may actually be influencing your life today!

What’s the deeper meaning of Yitzchok’s wells and their correlation to the three Holy Temples?

A simple expression in Rashi opens a profound insight into our unique ability to change nature, even spiritual nature.

Yitzchak's blessing to Yaakov highlights the greatness of a Ba'al Teshuvah.

Analysis of Rashi’s interpretation of three perspectives and a powerful insight into not speaking badly of others.

A lesson in the standards we expect of ourselves and of others.

Analysis of Rashi’s commentary on Eisav going to marry the daughter of Yishmael.

Children typically resemble their parents, why is it such a big deal for Hashem to make Yitzchak resemble his father?

A fascinating insight into Avraham and Yitzchak's relationships with their respective wayward sons.

There are two models of serving Hashem represented by Yaakov and Eisav. Discover what Eisav teaches us about spiritual development.

Learning Rashi’s commentary explains why Hashem's blessing to Avraham only manifested to Yaakov.

Taking matters into her own hands, Rivka made a difficult decision that needed to be done.

Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld of Lisbon, Portugal asks why our forefather Jacob had to go so far from home in order to start his life

Is it lentil soup or a dessert look-alike? Create a fun treat for Parshat Toldot!

Ch. 25, verses 19 - 23: Introduction, begins with the genealogy of Yitzhok. He marries Rivkah. She is barren, they pray to Hashem and she becomes pregnant. She finds the pregnancy difficult and so she goes to prophet to inquire about her situation. He tells her that she is pregnant with twins, and that the older one would serve the younger one.

Ch. 25, verse 24 - 34: The birth of Esua and Yaakov. Eisav sells his firstborn birthright to Yaakov for a bowl of lentils.

Ch. 26, verses 1 - 22: There is a famine in the land. Yitzhok moves to Gerar, the land of the Philistines. The people are jealous of his success and they ask him to leave. He re-digs the same wells that his father dug but there is contention. He then digs a third well which no one contends with.

Ch. 26, verse 23 - Ch. 27, verse 10: Yitzhok makes a treaty with a king. Eisav marries and Yitzhok prepares to bless Eisav.

Ch. 27, verses 11 - 27: Based on his Mother's insistence, Yaakov puts on Esau's clothing. He places goat's hair on his arms and takes the food that his mother has prepared to his father. His father is not sure who is standing in front of him since the voice is the voice of Yaakov but the hands are those of Esau. Yitzhok eats the food and prepares to bless the son who is standing before him (Yaakov).

Ch. 27, verses 28 - 38: Yitzhok unwittingly blesses Yaakov with the firstborn blessing. Yaakov exists just before Esau enters with the food for his father. Esau cries bitterly when his realizes that Yaakov had duped him and taken the blessing. He asks his father for another blessing but Yitzhok tells him that there is no other blessing. He refuses to take no for an answer and finally his father tells him that he will bless him.

Ch. 27, verse 39 – Ch. 28, verse 9: Esau receives his blessing from his father. Rivkah warns Yaakov about Esau's intention to kill him. She tells him to flee to her brother Lavan. Yitzhok tells Yaakov to go to Padan Aram and to take a wife from the daughters of Lavan. Esau sees what his father told Yaakov so he too takes a new wife from the daughters of Yishmael.

Two animated stick men trying to maintain balance on a seesaw-like floor. Can you relate to this scene?

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