But Jacob is a trickster. We are meant to identify with him because he is so very human, and he makes very human mistakes. In chapter 32 of Genesis, Jacob is preparing to meet Esau again as he is ...

In this week’s Torah portion, Toldos, we are introduced to Jacob and Esau. On the surface, the story is one of sibling rivalry, but its mystic depths contain some of the most profound secrets of ...

When Jacob supplanted Esau’s blessing, Esau cried, וַיִּצְעַק (Gen 27:34), because of this crying, Esau hated Jacob and wanted to kill him and Jacob had to flee to Laban, where he met ...

Esau and Jacob (and their descendants) become and remain enemies. As Parashat Vayishlach begins, however, Esau still represents a complicated mix of conflict and brotherly love.

Jacob and Esau today By MICHAEL M. COHEN DECEMBER 31, 2014 14:50 The opening paragraph of the Israeli Declaration of Independence not only references the connection of Jewish people to the Land of ...

The encounter between Jacob and Esau offers an insight into this debate. Skip to content. All Sections. Subscribe Now. 88°F. Thursday, June 19th 2025 Daily e-Edition. Evening e-Edition.

The biblical story of Jacob and Esau story opens with Rebecca, who is pregnant with twins, feeling them struggle inside her. She consults God who tells her that she will give birth to two nations.

Jacob and Esau are prototypes of our lower and higher selves and strivings. As twins, we might think of the brothers as one person combining two natures doing battle.

As Esau said to Jacob, “Let us start on our journey [together],” (Genesis 33:12), and may it lead us to trust, hope and peace. Jack Paskoff is rabbi at Congregation Shaarai Shomayim in ...