Cold as Ice Isaac was Abraham’s successor but who would take over after Isaac? Two possibilities: Jacob or Esau? Their mother (Rebecca) knew that Jacob was the rightful heir and she masterminded a scheme. Esau didn’t take his loss well and jealously pursued his brother. But aside from that, Jacob’s life was wrought with misfortune, […]

And these are the generations of Isaac the son of Abraham; Abraham begot Isaac. (Genesis 25:19)For the past three weeks, the main character in each Parsha has been Abraham. This week, Isaac hits center stage but his appearance is enigmatic. Our first exposure to Isaac’s world is framed by his being the son of Abraham. Both […]

Abraham clearly left Isaac as his successor but who would take over after Isaac? There were two sons; would it be the upstanding Jacob or the deceitful Easu? Rivka (Rebecca), their mother, took leadership of the situation and knew that Jacob was the rightful heir and was the mastermind behind a scheme, which required deception, […]

And these are the generations of Isaac the son of Abraham; Abraham begot Isaac. (Genesis 25:19) For the past three weeks, the main character in each Parsha has been Abraham. This week, Isaac hits center stage but his appearance is enigmatic. Our first exposure to Isaac’s world is framed by his being the son of Abraham. […]

  The birth and development of two of the most seminal personalities in Jewish consciousness is the subject of this week’s Parsha.   And the youths grew up, and Esau was a man who understood hunting, a man of the field, whereas Jacob was a wholesome man, dwelling in tents. (Genesis 25:27) Rashi quoting the Midrash interprets […]

Over the centuries many people have debated the morality of the Biblical story of Jacob taking the blessings of the birthright from his brother, Eisav. Destiny had it that Jacob was supposed to receive the blessings from Isaac, his father, and ultimately the blessing came about in a circuitous way. Why did it have to […]