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Parshas Toldos
How About Them Apples?
"And these are the offspring of Yitzchak son of Avraham - Avraham gave birth to Yitzchak" (25:19)
Parshas Toldos records the births of Yaakov and Eisav. The introductory verse states "these are the generations of Yitzchak, the son of Avraham - Avraham gave birth to Yitzchak". Citing the Midrash, Rashi explains the necessity of the apparent redundancy regarding Yitzchak's relationship to Avraham; it was in response to cynics of the generation who cast aspersions as to the legitimacy of Yitzchak's lineage.
In this week's reading, Toldot, Jacob and Esau are born. Isaac relocates to Philistine where he digs wells, resulting in friction between him and the locals. Rebecca and Jacob successfully deceive Isaac, tricking him into giving to Jacob the blessings he had intended for Esau.