This Week’s Torah Portion: Tol’dot (Genesis 25:19−28:9)
“The babies jostled each other within Rebecca, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of Adonai.” (Genesis 25:22)
Rebecca is the first person in the world that “inquires” of Adonai.
The Hebrew verb used here is לדרוש meaning “to demand” to inquire” to make a Drashah (commentary or story)”. Rebecca is the founder of a long Jewish tradition. We do not accept the world as it is, we demand explanations, we demand a better world for ourselves and for all humanity.
Tol’dot Sarah Summary:
Rebekah has twins, Esau and Jacob. (25:19-26)
Esau gives Jacob his birthright in exchange for some stew. (25:27-34)
King Abimelech is led to think that Rebekah is Isaac’s sister and later finds out that she is really his wife. (26:1-16)
Isaac plans to bless Esau, his firstborn. Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing. (27:1-29)
Esau threatens to kill Jacob, who then flees to Haran. (27:30-45)
“The babies jostled each other within Rebecca, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of Adonai.” (Genesis 25:22)
Rebecca is the first person in the world that “inquires” of Adonai.
The Hebrew verb used here is לדרוש meaning “to demand” to inquire” to make a Drashah (commentary or story)”. Rebecca is the founder of a long Jewish tradition. We do not accept the world as it is, we demand explanations, we demand a better world for ourselves and for all humanity.
