Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations
Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9
Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7
Shabbat: Genesis 28:5–9
28:5 Isaac sent Jacob away. He went to Paddan Aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take him a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;” 7 and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Paddan Aram. 8 Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan didn’t please Isaac, his father. 9 So Esau went to Ishmael, and took, in addition to the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.
Today’s Meditation:
In verse 7, we read that Jacob “obeyed his father and his mother”. I find this interesting because he also obeyed his mother to trick his father into believing he was Esau. This verse makes you feel that he earnestly wants to obey them. We were not there to understand everything, but we do understand and should follow this commandment.
When my parents were old and getting ready to die, I remembered this commandment to honor them. No matter how hard it was, the sacrifices that had to be made were significant. It was a blessing in the end. I made sure, with the help of others, that my parents were well cared for, loved, and had every need met to the best of my ability. I tried to respect them until the day they died. It was so important, and I am so glad I obeyed Hashem in this way.
Today’s Challenge:
If your parents are still alive and you are having a hard time honoring them, remember Hashem’s commandment to do so. As challenging as it may seem, you will be glad you did it in the end. If you hold any anger or hurt toward them, settle it today. They may not be here tomorrow.
This Week’s Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7
1 A revelation, Hashem’s word to Israel by Malachi.
2 “I have loved you,” says Hashem.
Yet you say, “How have you loved us?”
“Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” says Hashem, “Yet I loved Jacob; 3 but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.” 4 Whereas Edom says, “We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places,” Hashem of Armies says, “They shall build, but I will throw down; and men will call them ‘The Wicked Land,’ even the people against whom Hashem shows wrath forever.”
5 Your eyes will see, and you will say, “Hashem is great—even beyond the border of Israel!”
6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? Says Hashem of Armies to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 You offer polluted bread on my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ In that you say, ‘Hashem’s table is contemptible.’ 8 When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says Hashem of Armies
9 “Now, please entreat the favor of Elohim, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?” says Hashem of Armies.
10 “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says Hashem of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, My name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for My name is great among the nations,” says Hashem of Armies. 12 “But you profane it, in that you say, ‘Hashem’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ and you have sniffed at it”, says Hashem of Armies; “and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?” says Hashem.
14 “But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to Adonai a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says Hashem of Armies, “and My name is awesome among the nations.”
2 “Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If you will not listen, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says Hashem of Armies, “then I will send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and will spread dung on your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may be with Levi,” says Hashem of Armies. 5 “My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might be reverent toward Me; and he was reverent toward Me, and stood in awe of My name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and turned many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Hashem of Armies.
Today’s Haftarah Meditation:
Hashem wants the best from us. As in verse 11, “For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, My name is great among the nations...” There is no other god, no other Name to be worshiped. So, our offerings, whether they be physical or spiritual, should be daily unto Him. He deserves only the best. As we honor our parents, we honor G-d first. Remember this.
Today’s Haftarah Challenge:
The next time you get depressed, remember that Elohim is L-rd of all. He knows what you are going through, and He wants to help. All we need to do is be obedient and faithful. To honor Him in all our ways. May His light shine through us daily, serving as a witness to His love for others. Rise above your problems and focus on Him alone. It will change your life, change your day.
