Toldot - Day #4

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations  

Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Genesis 26:23–29

26:23 He went up from there to Beersheba. 24 Hashem appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the Elohim of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”

25 He built an altar there, and called on Hashem’s name, and pitched his tent there. There, Isaac’s servants dug a well.

26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his friend, and Phicol the captain of his army. 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?”

28 They said, “We saw plainly that Hashem was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you, and let’s make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace.’ You are now the blessed of Hashem.”

Today’s Meditation: 

In verse 28, we see that Abimelech says to Isaac, “We saw plainly that Hashem was with you.” Can you only imagine? Isaac had something about him —the way he looked, walked, and spoke —that made others recognize that Hashem is with him. Did they even know who Isaac’s G-d was? Did they know anything about Him? Yet, somehow, in some way, they recognize the one and only Elohim of the universe in Isaac. Don’t you wish that others would see Hashem in your life? What an excellent witness that would be. And how beautiful a life you would have if it reflected the love and purpose of Hashem.

Today’s Challenge: 

Think about how you could reflect Hashem more in your life. Is there something you need to change, such as your attitude, the way you speak, or how you treat others? I challenge you to take a hard look at yourself and work hard to eliminate anything that doesn't reflect Hashem. And you study His Word more so that you know Him better, so that you can better represent His love and Way in your life.

Toldot - Day #3

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations  

Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Genesis 26:13–22

26:13 The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great. 14 He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him. 15 Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth. 16 Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

17 Isaac departed from there, encamped in the valley of Gerar, and lived there.

18 Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham. He called their names after the names by which his father had called them. 19 Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of flowing water. 20 The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21 They dug another well, and they argued over that, also. So he called its name Sitnah. 22 He left that place and dug another well. They didn’t argue over that one. So he called it Rehoboth. He said, “For now Hashem has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”

Today’s Meditation: 

Isaac was re-digging wells and trying to reclaim what his father had. Apparently, after Abraham died, the Philistines covered them up. When his servants attempt to re-dig them, the Philistines argue, and it appears they prevent them from opening them. Then, finally, in verse 22, “For now Hashem has made room for us...” they find a successful well to dig. Isaac does not give credit to himself, but to Hashem for this. Sometimes in life, we search and search for an answer to a problem. When we find the answer, we will tend to give the credit to ourselves or someone else, when all the glory should go to Hashem. Let’s try to remember that all gifts come from the Father of Lights.

Today’s Challenge: 

Are you looking for an answer or solution, and not allowing Hashem to make room for your result? What does that look like to have Him do that? To me, it means praying and worshiping Him daily, minute by minute. Then, when there is a problem, really look to Him for the answer. Watch Him move. Watch Him make room for your solution. And there will be the answer before your eyes. The only thing left to do is to give Him all the thanksgiving and glory for helping you. Your missing ingredient may only be, patience. 

Toldot - Day #2

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations  

Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Genesis 26:6–12

26:6 Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest, he thought, “the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at.” 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech King of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife. 9 Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister?’”

Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die because of her.’”

10 Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!”

11 Abimelech commanded all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”

12 Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. Hashem blessed him.

Today’s Meditation: 

Today, we learn about generational sin. We see Isaac doing the same thing his father Abraham did, saying his wife is his sister to avoid being killed. He lied. But does Hashem count that against him? Interestingly enough, Scripture continues to say that Hashem blessed his crops one hundredfold. This is reported right after we see Isaac lying.

Are there certain times when it is okay to lie? To save your life or save someone else’s life? Maybe he repented to Hashem, and He forgave him? Some Scripture is very curious and mysterious. We don’t know the entire story of what happened, so we can only speculate. That’s why it is essential to always be in the will of Hashem, so that when we feel like we don't have to tell the truth, we will hopefully know His heart in the matter.

Today’s Challenge: 

Think of a time when you stretched the truth. Was it for a life-saving reason? Or were you just making things easier? Lying is a sin. If we lie, we repent and we make restitution. Learning to restore what has been done is more effective when it can be done in tangible ways. Think today of how you can do that. Repentance brings life.

Toldot - Day #1

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations  

Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Genesis 25:19–26:5

25:19 This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife. 21 Isaac entreated Hashem for his wife, because she was barren. Hashem was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is like this, why do I live?” She went to inquire of Hashem. 23 Hashem said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb.

Two people will be separated from your body.

Some people will be stronger than others.

The elder will serve the younger.”

24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau. 26 After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

27 The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with some of that red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore, his name was called Edom.

31 Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”

32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”

33 Jacob said, “Swear to me first.”

He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.

26 There was a famine in the land, in addition to the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, to Gerar. 2 Hashem appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about. 3 Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

Today’s Meditations: 

In the last few verses of today’s reading, we see Hashem promising to Isaac the land (Israel) and the people. And in the very last verse, He explains this because Abraham followed “Hashem’s commandments, statutes and laws.” You may wonder, like I did, how this could be. The Law has not yet been given on Mt. Sinai. 

But maybe it has. The Law is eternal. It has always been and will always be. So, it was given to man beginning with Adam. Maybe not in its entirety, but progressively. Remember, Abel sacrificed an animal. So did others. There were also clean and unclean animals entering the ark. We see many glimpses of the Law up to this point.  If the Law is eternal, we need to be following it to the best of our ability. We need to be seeking Hashem with our whole heart, soul and strength.

Today’s Challenge: 

We are just beginning to learn about the Law, the Commandments of Hashem. Today, I challenge you to consider whether you are obligated to follow the Commandments. And I am not just talking about the Ten Commandments, but ALL of them. Of course, there are some we cannot follow today, like those regarding the Temple or priestly duties. Think and pray about this. As we continue to read the Torah this year, we gain a deeper understanding of the Law. It would be good if, in your heart, it is settled whether the Commandments are for you or not.

Chayei Sarah - Day #7

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31   

Shabbat: Genesis 25:12–18

25:12 Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up his spirit and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.

Today’s Meditation:

Tradition has it that Ishmael is the father of Islam. I don’t know the total implications of this, but we have history to look at. There has been great contention between Muslims and Jews for centuries. Lives have been lost, and families/communities have experienced significant pain on both sides. That makes me think about today. The things that separate our families. Feuds can begin with issues such as marriage, differing political views, and, often, financial disputes. In my own family, my husband’s siblings fought over an inheritance. It is sad and so destructive to be at odds with your family. Maybe it is time for that to stop. It takes two to tango. Suppose we could only step down and concede for the sake of peace. Is that possible?

Today’s Challenge:

Think of someone in your family with whom you don’t get along, or maybe you have stopped talking to. I challenge you to reopen that door of your relationship with that person. Seek forgiveness, restitution, and healing. It won’t be easy, but I believe that every restoration of a friendship/relationship is like planting a seed toward healing our world. And don’t we want the world to be healed when the Mashiach comes?

This Week’s Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

1:1 Now King David was old and advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he couldn’t keep warm. 2 Therefore, his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” 3 So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom. 7 He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. 9 Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants; 10 but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it? 12 Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life, and your son Solomon’s life. 13 Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord, king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’ 14 Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. 16 Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Hashem your Elohim to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it. 19 He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant. 20 You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

22 Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!”

When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’ 25 For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live king Adonijah!’ 26 But he hasn’t called me, even me, your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon. 27 Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 The king swore, and said, “As Hashem lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 30 most certainly as I swore to you by Hashem, the Elohim of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

King David is picking his son to be the next king. There is some interference with this decision, but ultimately King David’s decision stands. Why do people constantly challenge the decisions of their authority?  In this story, Adonijah decides he would make a better king. However, he was not the chosen one to do so. 

Have you ever been in a situation where someone takes authority over an issue when they haven’t been given that charge? What should you do when that happens? I believe it would be essential to consult with the person in charge to determine the appropriate course of action. Do not take matters into our own hands; let those in leadership handle the situation. Just like King David did, it is the right way. 

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

Think about how you feel about authority. Do you have a situation in your life where you are usurping authority on the basis that you think you have the right to do so? Check your heart and go to the leadership in this circumstance, telling them what is going on and what you think needs to be done. Or even admit to them that you have taken authority in a particular situation, and see if they agree or feel that it is right. There is always a line of authority that all of us must follow. We must respect those in leadership positions above us (i.e., bosses, employers, etc.). If you are justifying stepping out of line because it is the right thing to do, double-check it. It is the right and proper thing to do. Scripture teaches us so.