Toldot

Toldot is the sixth weekly Torah portion (parashah) in the Book of Genesis. Its name, toldot, comes from the Hebrew word for "generations" or "descendants," and it reflects the opening verse of the section: "These are the generations of Isaac son of Abraham" (Genesis 25:19). The parashah comprises Genesis 25:19–28:9 and is part of the broader narrative about the early patriarchs.

The narrative centers on the second generation of the patriarchs, Isaac and Rebekah, and their sons Esau and Jacob. Rebekah, initially barren, conceives twins after God reveals that two nations will emerge from her womb and that the older will serve the younger. Esau is a hunter; Jacob is a quiet man who dwells in tents. A key episode is Esau’s sale of his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew, illustrating priority given to the younger son in the family dynamic.

A further turning point occurs when Jacob, aided by Rebekah, secures Isaac’s blessing meant for the firstborn by disguising himself as Esau. When Esau discovers this deception, he resolves to kill Jacob, prompting Rebekah to counsel Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran. The portion concludes with Jacob departing Beersheba toward Haran, setting the stage for the forthcoming narrative of his sojourn and adventures.

Toldot engages themes of birthright and blessing, parental favoritism, and the tension between human schemes and divine promises. It introduces key characters—Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob—and tracks how their fortunes and relationships are shaped within the patriarchal lineage.