Todlot - 11 times... Chronicles of families

Genesis 25:19 – new Parashah: Toldot

◊ Phrase elle todlot – used 11 times in Genesis

• Typically followed by family tree, such as for Ishmael in Gen ___.

• However, in this case, there is no tree; better translation here is “chronicles.” There is no Isaac “begot” because there is no child yet. Chain of procreation is interrupted

◊ Vav at beginning, why?

• It can mean “and” and a letter that changes verb tense; here it’s “and.” Implies conti-nuity. Isaac will also have two sons, like Abraham, one wicked and one good. Note: Ishmael is portrayed in midrash as “wicked;” Torah doesn’t.

◊ Why are we told Isaac is the son of Abraham? It seems to be redundant.

• Rashi – people still gossiped about Sarah’s pregnancy and her residence with Avimelech. To remove all doubt, God formed Isaac’s face to resemble Abraham and to confirm his paternity.

• Further confirms that Isaac is the sole successor to Abraham’s legacy.

• Isaac’s life is defined by the fact that he’s Abraham’s son.

• Isaac is a shadowy figure in Torah, compared to Abraham and Jacob. There is little infor-mation on him in Torah. Yet there are hints about his nature; he was unique in that:

◊ Only one of patriarchs that was monogamist

◊ He never left Israel

◊ Only patriarch who engaged in agriculture

◊ First mention of husband-wife loving

◊ Didn’t bring concubine to conceive when Rebecca was found to be barren.

• Genesis 25:20 - Isaac was 40; no age information on Rebecca. Some traditions have her very young, 3 to 13.

◊ Munk – married young for Isaac to train her out of the bad habits in her family; Isaac waited for the right person.

◊ Rashi – Rebecca comes from evil family, but did not learn such behavior.

◊ Some use their family as an excuse/rationalization for bad behavior, an excuse for not improving their character. Hardly a valid reason for behaving badly. “It’s not my fault” doesn’t cut it.

• Genesis 25:20, Aramean, where Lavan lived.

◊ “wandering Aramean” probably refers to Abraham, who lived in their territory.

◊ Now part of Hagaddah.

• Genesis 25:21

◊ Elie Munk cites Talmud Bava Batra 110, on fertility problem based on Exodus 6:23 on line of Aaron – most sons take after their mother’s brother (uncle)

◊ Isaac pleads for his wife, who is barren. Continuation of the “barren wife” motif. How ironic in that the last thing said by her family as she rides off: have lots of children.

◊ Va-yah-tar - unusual verb for “pray”, more like supplicate.

• Rashi, prayed a lot, urgently, based on verb for abundance

• This word also appears in Proverbs 27:6

• Munk –idea of insistent prayer, entreaty

• One tradition: they prayed at Mt Moriah

• Rashi: they were praying opposite of one another or facing one another

• Also could mean assuring compatibility with one another; let’s have a child together.

• Etz Hayim [Torah Commentary]– Isaac’s prayer is on behalf of Rebecca, for her fulfillment; what it takes to make her happy. Gottman, Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, suggests that people should understand and appreciate spouse’s dreams and goals. Get close to God (and your spouse) by opening your heart.

◊ Isaac and Rebecca do not bring in a concubine, as did Sarah and Abraham. This is inter-preted as a sign of great faith. Sarah and Abraham took matters into their own hands when prayer didn’t seem to work.

◊ Midrash/Talmud – Barrenness suggests that God longs to hear prayers of the righteous.

(notes from Howard -thanks)