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“Toldot | תולדות | Family history or Generations”

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Tol’dot, Toldos, or Tol’doth (תּוֹלְדֹת‬ — Hebrew for “generations” or “descendants,” the second word and the first distinctive word in the parashah) is the sixth weekly TORAH portion(פָּרָשָׁה‬, parashah) in the annual Jewish cycle of TORAH reading. The parashah tells of the conflict between Jacob and Esau, Isaac’s passing off his wife Rebekah as his sister, and Isaac’s blessing of his sons.

It constitutes Genesis 25:19–28:9. The parashah is made up of 5,426 Hebrew letters, 1,432 Hebrew words, 106 verses, and 173 lines in a TORAH Scroll (סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה‬, Sefer Torah).^[1] Jews read it the sixth Sabbath after Simchat TORAH, generally in November, or rarely in early December.^[2]

TORAH:

Genesis 25:19-28:9

HAF-TORAH or HAFTARAH (a.k.a PROPHETS or WRITINGS) – Prophets:

Malachi 1:1-2:7

BRIT CHADASHAH (a.k.a NEW COVENANT/TESTAMENT) – Gospels:

Matthew 10:21-38

Luke 3:1-18

Note: The regular readings above are often interrupted with special readings on Jewish holidays, special Sabbaths, and Rosh Chodesh. Refer to the annual Torah Portion schedule for these special portions.

Portion Summary

The sixth reading from the book of Genesis is named Toldot (תולדות), which means “generations.”It is so named because the TORAH portion begins with the words “Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac” (Genesis 25:19). Toldot tells us the story of the birth of Jacob and Esau and their struggle for the birthright and blessing of their father, Isaac. We also learn about Isaac’s trials and difficulties in the land of Canaan. The portion concludes with Jacob’s deception of Isaac in order to procure the family blessing.

Portion Outline

TORAH
- Genesis 25:19 | The Birth and Youth of Esau and Jacob
- Genesis 25:29 | Esau Sells His Birthright
- Genesis 26:1 | Isaac and Abimelech
- Genesis 26:34 | Esau’s Hittite Wives
- Genesis 27:1 | Isaac Blesses Jacob
- Genesis 27:30 | Esau’s Lost Blessing
- Genesis 27:41 | Jacob Escapes Esau’s Fury
- Genesis 28:6 | Esau Marries Ishmael’s Daughter