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V'Ayleh Toldot - And these are the generations

16/11/2020 09:33:29 AM

Nov16

Dear Congregational Family,

This week's Torah portion is called Toldot and begins with the Hebrew words, "V'Ayleh Toldot - and these are the generations." The word Toldot can be translated as generations, history, offspring, or story. The opening verse can be variously translated as "This is the history/story of Isaac son of Abraham," or "These are the generations/offspring of Isaac son of Abraham." Regardless, the opening words of the Parsha connect the generations of the past, present, and future. A few verses later, the reader is introduced to Jacob, thus uniting the first three generations of Jewish history with the patriarchal names.

This past Saturday night after Shabbat, I had the privilege of officiating at a Havdalah Bat Mitzvah. At Beth Emeth, we have many different options for a young woman to celebrate her entry into Jewish adulthood. One choice is that of a creative ceremony in which the young celebrant recites Havdalah, a selection of prayers from the Siddur, and the Prophetic selection of the coming week. Because of Covid, the service took place at the family's home instead of the synagogue. Physically present were myself, the Bat Mitzvah, her parents, all four grandparents, and her two younger siblings. The Bat Mitzvah herself was a fourth generation member of our shul. Only a few months earlier, her great Zaidee had passed away, a long time member of Beth  Emeth.

The Parsha title of Toldot came to my mind last night and was an apt portion for this multi-generational family. Like the weekly Torah portion which unites Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the vitality of the Jewish family and the Jewish community stem from such families where the torch of Judaism is literally passed down from generation to generation. While many relatives and guests participated via Zoom, I visually witnessed grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren link the generations of Jewish history and tradition together.

What a way to begin the week of Parshat Toldot!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Thu, 28 March 2024 18 Adar II 5784