Toldot
Toldot means “generations” or “family records,” referring to the lineage of Isaac. The
troubled sibling rivalry of Jacob and Esau is the focus here. Jacob will eventually steal
Esau’s birthright and blessing before running away. But as crafty as Jacob is he will find
his uncle Laban even more deceitful and it is Laban who will outmaneuver Jacob for 20
years before Jacob gains advantage again. We also have the third occurrence—this time
with Isaac and Abimelech II—of a wife (Rebecca this time) being passed off as a “sister”
because a patriarch was afraid for his life. The portion ends with Esau taking another
wife.
