by Shlomo Ressler | Nov 25, 2022 | 1:6-Parshat Toldot, Bereshit / Genesis, Weekly Dvar
While living in Gerar, Yitzchak (Isaac) unearths the wells originally dug by his father Avraham and digs a few of his own. In reference to one of the wells, the passuk records “and he named it ‘shiva,’ and that is why the city is named Be’er Sheva until today”...
by Shlomo Ressler | Nov 4, 2021 | 1:6-Parshat Toldot, Bereshit / Genesis, Uncategorized, Weekly Dvar
As Yitzchak blesses Yaakov and sends him off, Eisav enters with his own food and demands blessings. When he learns that Yaakov received the blessings meant for him, Eisav cries bitterly (27:34). Yitzchak informs Eisav that there are no blessings left to give him...
by Shlomo Ressler | Nov 19, 2020 | 1:6-Parshat Toldot, Bereshit / Genesis, Weekly Dvar
While living in Gerar, Yitzchak (Isaac) reopens the wells dug up by his father Avraham and digs a few of his own. The passuk records that one well “was named ‘shiva,’ and that is why the city is named Be’er Sheva until today” (26:33). Why does the Torah claim that...
by Shlomo Ressler | Nov 26, 2019 | 1:6-Parshat Toldot, Bereshit / Genesis, Weekly Dvar
Parshat Toldot tells the story of Rivka bearing twins, Esav and Yakov, and how Esav was drawn to brothels when she walked them, and Yakov was drawn to study halls when she walked by those (25:22). Considering the Midrash that babies learn the entire Torah inside the...
by Shlomo Ressler | Nov 8, 2018 | 1:6-Parshat Toldot, Bereshit / Genesis, Weekly Dvar
Sefer Bereishit is full of stories about Avraham and Yakov, but there are very few stories exclusively about Yitzchak (the Akeida is really Avraham’s story, and Yakov tricking Yitzchak over the blessings is really about Yakov). This week’s Parsha, Toldot, does include...
by Shlomo Ressler | Nov 16, 2017 | 1:6-Parshat Toldot, Bereshit / Genesis, Weekly Dvar
Parshat Toldot tells the story of Yaakov (Jacob) and Esav, two brothers that couldn’t be any more different. When their father Yitzchok (Isaac) decides that it’s time to bless his two sons, Yaakov ends up getting the better of the two blessings. In comparing the two...
