Parashat Toldot focuses on the impacts of lies and emphasizes the underlying importance of connection to one’s own family. This parasha begins with Rebekah, married to Isaac, praying to Hashem for a child. When Rebekah experiences violent kicking within her, she turns to God, who tells her that she has two nations within her and that one will be mightier than the other. He states that the mightier one will serve the less mighty one.

Esau and Jacob are born. Esau, the firstborn, grows to be a skillful hunter favored by Isaac, while Jacob, a quiet man who keeps to himself, is favored by Rebekah. One day, Esau comes back from the fields starving and begs Jacob for some of his stew. Jacob agrees to trade his soup for Esau’s birthright, and Esau agrees to the deal, as he does not see any need to hold on to his birthright.

Years later, Isaac develops blindness and is close to the end of his life. He orders Esau to hunt him some deer for dinner and bring it back so he can bless him before he passes away. Rebekah hears this and orders Jacob to fetch her some goat so she can prepare it and Jacob can bring it to his blind father, posing as Esau, to receive the blessing instead. Fearful of this plan, Jacob remarks to his mother that Isaac will figure out it is him rather than Esau because he is smooth-skinned and Esau is not. After Jacob fetches the goat, Rebekah dresses him in Esau’s clothes and places goat skins all over his body.

Jacob approaches Isaac, claiming to be Esau. After some interrogation, Isaac blesses him with the blessing meant for Esau. Moments later, Esau returns with the deer and asks for his father’s blessing, but Isaac has no blessing left to give. Isaac and Esau panic, realizing that Jacob is now master over Esau and all his brothers. Furious, Esau plots to kill his brother. When Rebekah learns of this, she tells Jacob to escape to Haran and stay with his Uncle Laban until Esau calms down. Rebekah explains to Isaac that they don’t want Jacob marrying a local Canaanite, so he will find a wife in Haran. The parasha comes to a close when Esau hears of this and goes on to marry a daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son.

Throughout Parashat Toldot, the constant betrayal within the family is a central theme. Jacob deceives Esau. Rebekah betrays Esau. Rebekah deceives Isaac. Esau turns against Isaac. A cycle of lies permeates the family. One lesson from this parasha is that it is never healthy to lie—especially to one’s family. Honesty is always the best approach, as one lie from Jacob to Isaac led to long-term consequences, including Jacob’s need to flee the city.

This Shabbat, I encourage all of you to reflect deeply on the importance of family trust and pure honesty in our lives.
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Shabbat Shalom BBYO,
Aubrey Engel, Delta Region #72