Dvar Torah - Parshat Toldot

Dvar Torah Parshat Toldot

There are two different kinds of runners. Those who can run for miles, and those who excel in sprinting. Many people who chose to sprint, do so because they do not have the stamina to keep themselves running for longer than a 100 yard dash. Stamina is something which could be built up. Someone who has only been able to sprint can train himself to be able to run an entire marathon.  As an athlete it is important to constantly be working on yourself and building up what you are able to do.

The premise of this week's Parsha, which we all know very well, is that Yaakov and Esav are born to Rivkah Imeinu."וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ"    Before these twins are even born, there is an internal struggle that is felt by Rivkah. While trying to understand this conflict, she turns to Hashem to get words of comfort. Hashem explains that there are two different nations that are inside of her, and that one will become stronger than the other.

The twins are born as very different people, each with his own strengths and weaknesses. Both Yaakov and Esav were born with assets and shortcomings. Esav was born as a very strong person, and he spends his life using that strength in many things he does. Yaakov was a very sweet and calm person, who was not born with the same strength that Esav is born with.

Over the course of their lives, Yaakov recognizes that he has some shortcomings, and builds on those areas. By the end of the Parsha, Yaakov has learned how to fight for himself and be brave. Esav was born with many good and bad qualities but he never attempts to change the weaknesses in his life.

Each of us are born with our own strengths and weaknesses. It is a great thing to embellish on our strengths, as they were given to us for a reason. But it is also important for us to look at ourselves and realize that we have some weaknesses as well. Each of these weaknesses is something we could work on and make better.

Yaakov and Esav were twins - they had equal potential. One went on the be a father of the Jewish people, someone who our nation, Bnei Yisrael, is name for. The other went on to be something completely different. Each with their strengths and weaknesses, but it was how they managed their weaknesses which made them who they ended up becoming.