by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 4, 2021 | Toldot
Yaakov said, “First sell me your birthright.” And Esau said, “I am at the point of death, so of what use is my birthright to me?” But Yaakov said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Yaakov. Yaakov then gave Esau bread and lentil stew;...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 3, 2021 | Education, Light Unto the Nations, Toldot
Although they were twins, Jacob (Yaakov) and Esau couldn’t have been more different. Esau was a skillful hunter, an outdoorsman while his younger brother Jacob was a meditative and thoughtful man who “dwelled in tents.” As a forefather of the Jewish people, Jacob...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 21, 2015 | Marriage and Relationships, Parenting, Vayeitzei
Jacob has been promised by God that his children will inherit the Land of Israel. Indeed, he is the first forefather to pass on this promise and blessing to all of his children. This week’s portion tells of Jacob’s flight from Beersheba, escaping just in time from his...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 20, 2015 | Community, Good and Evil, Kindness and Compassion, Vayeitzei
The sun is setting, and Jacob rests his head after a harrowing day. He is fleeing from his brother Esau. In an open field, Jacob gathers stones and makes a pillow of sorts so he can sleep before moving on in the morning. Amazingly, the Midrash describes a “fight” that...
