Dear Friend,

This week’s Torah reading takes us into the heart of a complex, emotional family drama, the story of Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau. It is a story full of tension and misunderstanding, but also a parshah that reveals something essential about growth: blessings come to those who seek them.

Rebecca sees what Isaac does not. Jacob desires a spiritual path, Esau desires the here and now. When Rebecca sends Jacob to receive the blessing, she tells him the words that echo for generations, “Upon me be your curse, my son.” It is an extraordinary statement. She is not simply taking responsibility. She is teaching him, and us, that sometimes, in order to grow, a person must step into discomfort, risk misunderstanding, and stretch beyond his natural personality.

Jacob is the quiet one, the “dweller of tents,” the introvert. Yet Rebecca pushes him to act boldly, even awkwardly, because future greatness often requires stepping outside our familiar self. Her message is that spiritual identity is not something we only inherit, but something we must pursue.

Toldot comes each year to remind us: do not wait for inspiration to find you. Go toward it. Seek blessing actively. Step into the role G-d wants from you, even when it feels unfamiliar. Every one of us has moments when we must become a “new version” of ourselves, a Jacob who can stand with confidence, take initiative, and claim the blessings meant for him.

We’re are thrilled to share that we’ll be celebrating the 1st night of Chanukah at Palisades Village on Sunday, December 14th! Festivities will begin at 4:00 PM, with the Menorah Lighting Ceremony at 5:00 PM on Monument Street between Albright and Bashford. We can’t wait to celebrate together and bring even more light to our community! Click here to RSVP.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin