Weekly D'Var Torah

Parashat Toldot – by David Aston

Life was not being very good to Isaac in this week’s parashah. There was a famine in the land. The natives were not exactly friendly. The men had their evil eyes on his wife Rebekah. They were jealous of his wealth and drove him away from where he had settled. They regularly cut off his water supply, so that Isaac had to move until he could find a place where hostile natives would let him live in peace.

No one would blame him if Isaac was frightened! There seemed to be no peace for him. With constant threats from neighbors and nature, fear must have been his frequent companion. When he finally seemed to find a place to settle safely, God spoke to him, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid! I am with you and I will bless you.” (Genesis 26:24) Reassured, Isaac built an altar, pitched his tent and had his servants dig another well. Why not! God was with him!

Life is not entirely wonderful for us these days. Prices are soaring. Antisemitism is on the rise. The government is in turmoil. Even nature threatens with exceptionally powerful hurricanes prowling in both major oceans. Yet there is reason to be confident. “Don’t be afraid.” The God of Abraham and Isaac, Sarah and Rebekah is with us too. If we follow the Torah, we can be confident that God will be with us. 

Everything may not suddenly become easy. It wasn’t for Isaac either. But like our ancestors, we will survive and thrive. The God of our ancestor Abraham is with us too!