The weekly reading for the week of 4 Kislev, 5764 - November 29, 2003 Parashah: Toledot Genesis 25:19 to 28:8; Haftarah: Malachi 1:1 to 2:7; Brit Chadashah: Romans 9:1-33


The Bagel: Patient love. When Isaac sent away Jacob it was because he loved him for his ultimate good. The Parashat Toledot text tells why: Isaac didn't want Jacob to marry the wrong kind of girl. Jacob's life was in danger for Esau wanted to kill him. Isaac had to exercise patient love. He had to send away Jacob to do was in Jacob's best interest. Gone were the years of the warm fatherly embraces, for Jacob had to labor for a wife. Gone were a son's concern for an aging father, because he had to live in another land. But Isaac had a better purpose in view. Isaac chose G-d's ways and G-d's promises over any selfish desires. He waited and committed Jacob and the outworking of G-d's plan to the loving care of the L-rd. This kind of patient love waits to allow another person to receive their best interest. This human love at its best.

The Haftarah reading speaks of a different kind of patient love. G-d continued to love and aid Israel, even when Israel behaved like Esau. He didn't give up, but tried to rebuke them into shame, so they would turn back to him. Many centuries G-d worked to preserve Israel. His love endured the centuries. In Malachi's day, the people and leaders behaved like ingrates. They despised the things of G-d. They kept the best portions for themselves and threw the scraps to the L-rd. G-d name was dishonored by their actions. But Adonay never gave up. He still hasn't given up for Am Yisroel chai! This kind of patient love waits for the day when there will be change and the people return His love. This is divine love at its best.

The reading of the Brit Chadashah speaks of yet another kind of patient love. The theme of the reading is divine election. G-d knows who will believe and who won't. He is the one who transforms sinners into saints. He knows who it is that will respond. Yet, He doesn't give up on those who resist His constant overtures of love. Adonay wants repentance and faith that will be shown by righteous living. But there are those who steadfastly refuse that which is in their best interest. G-d is like the patient counselor wooing the potential victim from jumping over the bridge to certain death. Right to the very end His love never ceases. This kind of patient love works toward the best interest of someone even when that love is utterly rejected, spent, and wasted on those who will never turn. This is divine love at its mysterious best.

Cream Cheese: Because He waits, we should wait, even in the face of evil.


The weekly reading for the week of 4 Kislev, 5764 - November 29, 2003 Parashah: Toledot Genesis 25:19 to 28:9; Haftarah: Malachi 1:1 to 2:7; Brit Chadashah: Romans 9:1-33

• Torah:
  Genesis 25:19 to 28:9.
  
• Haftarah:
  Malachi 1:1-2:7.
  
• Mei Kituvim:
  Psalm 47:1-10(9).
  
• Brit Chadashah:
  Romans 9:1-33.