B"H

Thursday, Kislev 3, 5784 / November 16, 2023

This week’s Parsha, Toldot, tells the story of the birth of Yaakov (Jacob) and Esau, who were born to Yitzchak (Isaac) and Rivkah (Rebecca). We read about the blessings which Yitzchak gave to Yaakov instead of Esau. As a result Yaakov had to flee to his uncle Lavan.

Q.   How old were Yitzchak and Rivkah when their twin sons, Yaakov and Esau were born?

A.   Yitzchak was sixty and Rivkah was twenty-three.

Q.   Which of the twins was born first?

A.   Esau was born first.  He later sold his first-birth rights to Yaakov in exchange for some lentils which Yaakov was cooking.

Q.   Why was Yaakov cooking lentils?

A.   It was during the Shiva (the seven-day mourning period) after their grandfather Abraham.  It was customary to eat lentils during the mourning period.

Q.   How old were Yaakov and Esau when Abraham passed away?

A.   They were 15 years old.  Thus, the three patriarchs, Abraham, Yitzchak (Isaac) and Yaakov, lived together for 15 years. G-d took Abraham’s soul back at that time so he would not have to endure the suffering of seeing his grandson’s bad behavior.

Q.   How old were Esau and Yaakov when they married?

A.   Esau was forty.  Yaakov was eighty-four.

Q.   In the Parsha we find the story of how Yitzchak wanted to bless Esau but ended up blessing Yaakov instead.  How old was Yitzchak then?  How old was Yaakov when he was blessed?

A.   Yitzchak was 123 years old. Yaakov was 63.

Q.   The blessings which Yitzchak gave to Yaakov in this Parsha, were given on the same day which, many years later, a significant Jewish holiday would be celebrated. Which holiday is it?

A.   The holiday of Passover (Pesach) when we celebrate the miracle of the Exodus, which took place 277 years after this episode. Yitzchak was also born on Passover.

The blessings which Yitzchak gave to Yaakov, and his descendants, the Jewish people, is recited every Saturday night after the Havdalah service. We begin every new week with these very special blessings.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL