The classic wrestling match in Biblical literature is that between the most dissimilar twins, Jacob and Esau. They began their struggle with each other even before they were born, in their mother ...

Even before they were born, Jacob and Esau struggled in the womb. They were destined, it seems, to be eternal adversaries. Not only were they different in character and appearance. They also held ...

We read about the children of Isaac, but we also read about the legacy of Isaac, and about how his sons define and carry – or fail to carry – that legacy. Legacy is, in fact, the next note the verse ...

Rebekah’s motivation was not malicious, but her method was rooted in profound fear, resulting in a critical lack of necessary ...

The first ethnic joke in the Bible is in chapter 25 of Genesis. Rebekah gives birth to twins, and the first comes out red and hairy all over, so she and Isaac name him Esau. They name him “Hairy.” ...

Parashat Toldot includes one of my favorite parts of the Torah — specifically, the stealing of the blessing. We can see the warm relationship between Isaac and Esau. We see the comfort in their ...

The aged, nearly blind Isaac has just been deceived by his son Jacob and wife Rebecca. Jacob, impersonating his twin Esau, stole the blessing Isaac intended for Esau. Isaac reacts immediately to the ...

This is an adaptation of Looking Forward, a weekly email from our editor-in-chief sent on Friday afternoons. Sign up here to get the Forward’s free newsletters delivered to your inbox. I was thrilled ...

Sometimes Torah simply refuses to give us the straight dope. Were man and woman created simultaneously from God’s command (Genesis 1:26-27)? Or did God sculpt Adam out of clay (Genesis 2:7) and then ...

In the foreign land of Canaan lives Isaac, son of Abraham, with his clever, strong-willed wife Rebekah and his twin sons Esau and Jacob. The first-born, Esau, is a strong and fearless hunter with a ...

In Memory of David Schwartz who fell in battle in Gaza on 27 Tevet, 5784 (8 January 2024). First published on the occasion of his marriage to Meital Gitler, David’s unique Torah thoughts that delve ...