The weekly reading for the week of 4 Kislev, 5767 - November 25, 2006 Parashah: Toledot Genesis 25:19 to 28:9; The regular Haftarah: of Malachi 1:1 to 2:7 is replaced by the Rosh Chodesh reading of 1 Samuel 20:18-42; Mei Kituvim: Psalm 47:1-10(9); Brit Chadashah: Romans 9:1-33



Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings below)

The Bagel: Birthday regrets.

"Jacob said, 'Swear to me now.' so he swore to him and he sold his birthright to Jacob" (Genesis 25:33).

Esau didn't have much use for his birthday inheritance. He sold it. It was a desperate situation for him. He thought that he was going to die. His logic: his life was more important than an amorphous birthright. His problem was not the birthday gift, but his view of the Giver. Because Adonay was not seen in the birthright promise, then the birthday gift turned from a gift to a regret. He despised his birthright before the conditions came that gave him justification to despise it.

Many people blame Jacob. Some even portray Jacob as an unsavory character. He was a conniver in their eyes. But this denigrates someone who valued the birthright as from G-d. If Jacob didn't "grab" the birthright out of Esau hands, then it would have been lost forever. Esau sooner or later would dump his obligations to preserve the inheritance for future generations.

Sometimes we have things that are durable, but outdated. We wished that they would just break, so we can have an excuse to get the latest and greatest. Our lack of interest in a good product leads to neglect of it. It isn't long before the dust and dirt collect on the item, because it no longer is in a cherished place. Instead, it is now outdoors in the elements quite close to the items ready to be discarded. A day arrives when it finally winds up in the trash. Esau would have trashed G-d's inheritance had Jacob not intervened to rescue it. It was regrettable that Jacob had to do this. It was regrettable that Esau failed in his responsibility.

Cream Cheese: Birthday party or birthday parting?

• 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.