Toldos 5785: Beseeching Hashem For Children

Toldos 5785: Beseeching Hashem For Children

The parshah begins with a story out of the life of Yitzchok and Rivkah. It tells us that they – who had gotten married in such a wonderful and miraculous way through the hands of Hashem – had a difficulty with having children. At the time, Yitzchak was 40 years old, and his bride, Rivka, was a young girl. Yitzchak understood he wasn’t going to have children right away, but then “right away” became a longer period of time. The Torah tells us “Yitzchak pleaded with Hashem” because his wife was barren.

Toldos 5784: The Danger of Leitzanus

Toldos 5784: The Danger of Leitzanus

“These are the children of Yitzchak ben Avraham. Avraham fathered Yitzchak” (Bereishis 25:19). The question is, after the Torah mentions that Yitzchak was ben Avraham, why does it need to say after that Avraham fathered Yitzchak? If I tell you Yitzchak is ben Avraham, most geniuses, even simple folks like me and you, could figure out that Avraham fathered Yitzchak.

Toldos 5783: Which Way Are You Getting Pulled?

Toldos 5783: Which Way Are You Getting Pulled?

In the Torah, we see statements or episodes that to the simple mind and eye might seem insignificant. The Torah tells us that Rivka, the wife of Yitzchak, finally becomes pregnant, and the Torah states, ויתרוצצו הבנים בקרבה – and the children struggled in her womb (Bereishis 25:22). Onkelos teitches (translates) this to mean ודחקין בניא – her children were pushing within her womb.