
If My Father Were Here Today… In Parshat Toldot, Yitzchak tries to continue Avraham’s path exactly. He digs the same wells. He gives them the same names. And when famine strikes, he prepares to do what Avraham did — go down to Mitzrayim. But Hashem stops him.“Al teired Mitzraymah. Gur ba’aretz hazot.” Ramban explains that…

Some stories don’t begin at birth. They begin before. Rivka feels a storm inside her and runs to ask Hashem what is happening. His answer sets the tone for all of Jewish history: “Two nations are in your womb… two regimes will separate from within you.” This isn’t a sibling rivalry. It’s the opening chapter…

In this week’s Parsha, Toldot, Yitzchak Avinu asks Eisav, “V’asei li matamim ka’asher ahavti”—make me delicacies like what I love—not just food, but delicious, enjoyable dishes. At first glance, this might seem surprising. Why would Yitzchak, one of our greatest spiritual leaders, place so much focus on the pleasure of food before giving the brachot?…