November 26, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Toldot 5786 (2025)
Genesis 25:19-25:28:9; Malachi 1:1-2:7.
Toldot, the name of this Torah portion refers to the history or family chronicle told. This is the history of Isaac’s family.
Twins in Her Womb
Once Isaac’s wife Rebekah got pregnant she felt that something was strange in her womb.
”The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.” (Genesis 25:22)
“The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Sure enough, as soon as she went to give birth, she saw that indeed there were two boys coming out. What more, the younger boy came out grasping the feet the older.
”When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.
The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau.
After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.” (Genesis 25: 23-26 NIV)
This is the beginning of a story, whereby a family is divided.
The boys were quite different in their characters. It so happened that Isaac preferred Esau, whereas Rebekah preferred Jacob. Sibling rivalry followed. Esau perhaps not fully understanding the gravity of his actions, sold his previous birthright to Jacob. And there were tragic consequences for eventually these two boys became too different nations.
“He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. )
Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”
But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.” (Genesis 25: 30-34 NIV)
Later, Esau also married local women. This became a source of misery for his parents.
“When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.
They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.” (Genesis 26:34-35 NIV)
The portion also tells us a little more about Isaac. Just like his father Abraham, he became a wealthy man, and God appeared to him. His servants quarreled with those of foreign king Abimelech and so he went to Beersheba. There he found an old well duck by Abraham, and there he found water.
“From there he went up to Beersheba.
That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”
Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well. (Genesis 27:23-25 NIV)
Prophet Malachi’s Warning
In the corresponding prophetic portion, God reminds His people of Jacob and Esau. This is a reference to their characters and how God preferred Jacob. But here God is asking His people, where is His honor among them. God is asking if they really honor Him or if they just bring Him offerings that are obligatory to bring.
God does not want his people to bring Him blemished offerings, but the best of their flocks. He is a great God known as such even among the Gentiles.
“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.” (Malachi 1:11 NIV)
Priests
There is also a strong warning here to those who speak God’s Word, His priests.
“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.” (Malachi 2:7 NIV)
Malachi’s warning is very much in line with the New Testament.
James warns that teachers will be judged.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1 NIV)
Paul recommends that Timothy keep specifically what he, Paul, has taught.
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” (2. Tim. 1:13 NIV)
Paul also refers to sound doctrine.
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2: 1 ESV)
Kristallnacht’s Consequences
The time of this Torah portion is usually November. Many are aware of the Night of the Broken Glass, Kristallnacht, on November 9-10, 1938. November is a month of commemoration events. But less well-known is the fact that the Jewish Community had to pay for its damages. The payment was called atonement payment. This was a terrible burden.
But the truth is even worse because German Jews’ bank accounts were controlled and effectively frozen from that moment on. They could not sell valuables freely. They lost their driving licenses and had to hand over their car ownership papers. They and often had to sell their cars to Germans at such low prices that it amounted to theft.
These economic actions made emigration an opportunity for very few of them. Without financial resources everything became difficult and hopeless. The situation was such that many German Jews even committed suicide in the aftermath of the Kristallnacht.
It has been said that this was the point of no return.
We are witnessing a terrible rise in antisemitism both from the political left and the right. Our society is in danger because this hatred is rising. So we need to stand firm before we arrive at that moment when the clock can no longer be turned back.
*For an explanation of the terms see the first The Torah Portion Blog.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
