Esau
What Only a Father Can Do
Father’s Day is a delightful blend of a secular and religious holiday, combining consumerism with the Biblical mandate to “Honor thy father.” But is it artificially amplified? Are fathers really that important? Mothers are clearly...
Was Esau the Father of Christianity?
While she was pregnant, Rebecca complained of pain. God reassured her that the twins she was carrying would both establish great nations (Genesis 25:23). The Bible follows the story of Jacob as his family grows into the nation of Israel....
How to Get High on God?
What's the difference between getting high on drugs and getting high on God? Rabbi Shlomo Katz explains based on the Torah portion of Toldot that a Godly high keeps you high, but getting high on drugs, leaves you feeling low.
Learn Hebrew Through the Torah Portion of Toldot
Have you ever wanted to learn the Bible in Hebrew? Rabbi Elan Adler goes through the weekly Torah portion of Toldot and offers insights into the Hebrew meaning of the stories between Jacob and Esau.
Sibling Rivalry Between Jacob and Esau
Sondra Oster Baras explains the sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau. Jewish Bible commentaries explain that the rivalry between Jacob and Esau is carried out by their descendants, Jews and Christians. She brings many fascinating...
The Older Will Serve the Younger
Two nations are in your womb, two separate peoples shall issue from your body; one people shall be mightier than the other, and the older shall serve the younger. "וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה לָהּ שְׁנֵי גיים [גוֹיִם] בְּבִטְנֵךְ וּשְׁנֵי לְאֻמִּים...
How to Cook Jacob’s Lentil Stew
Jacob then gave Esau bread and lentil stew; he ate and drank, and he rose and went away. Thus did Esau spurn the birthright. וְיַעֲקֹב נָתַן לְעֵשָׂו לֶחֶם וּנְזִיד עֲדָשִׁים וַיֹּאכַל וַיֵּשְׁתְּ וַיָּקָם וַיֵּלַךְ וַיִּבֶז עֵשָׂו...
The Truth About Jacob’s Lentil Stew
Esau returned home from the field to find Jacob cooking lentil stew. Famished from a tiring day of hunting, Esau demanded that Jacob give him some lentil stew to eat, Jacob agreed on the condition that Esau would sell him his birthright....
The Land of Israel is the Birthright of the People of Israel
Yaakov said, “First sell me your birthright.” And Esau said, “I am at the point of death, so of what use is my birthright to me?” But Yaakov said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Yaakov. Yaakov then gave...
The Portion of Vayishlach
In this week’s portion, Jacob prepares to face his brother after many years apart, cognizant of Esau’s vow to destroy him one day. He readies his camp and prays, and sends gifts to appease his brother. Before the encounter, Jacob...
