On the Weekly Torah Portion of Toledot

This week’s Torah portion, toledot (Genesis 25:19 – 28:9), introduces the dramatic life story of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau, and their complicated relationship. Jacob, of course, is the third patriarch, the one who was given the name Israel and after whom the People of Israel are named. It was therefore very tempting for Jewish thinkers throughout the ages, from the days of the Talmud to the present day, to see the story as symbolizing the relationship between the Jewish people and the other nations of the world.

But the story of Esau and Jacob may be more usefully understood as a story about two fundamental motivations that abide within all of us: the motivation towards God and the motivation towards the world. These motivations come to the forefront of our awareness when we try to live the religious or spiritual life in earnest. We become like the pregnant Rebecca, who recognizes the two twins whirling and fighting for supremacy in her womb (Genesis 25:22). Like Rebecca, it is our task to ensure, by hook or by crook, that the Jacob in us has the upper hand, even as we realize that Esau is part of the picture and cannot be denied. (more…)