Parshat Toldot: Strength through Hope

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How does one remain hopeful when facing long-term challenges and adversity? The commentaries glean insight from Yitzchak and Rivka in parshat Toldot. 

After twenty years of infertility, prayers and longing to have a child, Rivka becomes pregnant. The word for prayer here – vaye’etar –  is unique. It is used twice to mean (1) Yitzchak entreats God and (2) God responds to his plea. This mirroring of language highlights that the tefillot were heard and answered. The Sages debate the deeper meaning of the word “vaye’etar.” One interpretation: Yitzchak’s prayers become more frequent and urgent. Alternatively, it relates to the idea that prayer can overturn harsh decrees, akin to a pitchfork (a.t.r) turning over grain. This prayer becomes a model of holding out hope in the face of long-term yearning and challenges.

The midrash adds another layer, emphasizing that Rivka played an essential role in the tefillot being answered. Yitzchak prays “l’nochach ishto,” in the presence of his wife. They were both equally devoted and synchronized in their tefillot – each stood in one corner, but together in the same room – drawing strength from one another. A final midrash teaches that their prayers were ultimately answered when Yitzchak brought Rivka to Mount Moriah, the site of the Akedah. This place, likely fraught with personal trauma and pain for Yitzchak, underscores how deep healing and personal growth can enhance prayer’s efficacy.

Yitzchak is associated with gevurah (strength) in Hassidut. Perhaps this refers to strength of faith, despite hardship. The Jewish people inherit this legacy, reminding us that hope stems from persistence, inner strength, shared struggles, and collective faith. May we find inspiration through Yitzchak and Rivka to remain hopeful and resilient. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson

Parshat Vayera: Remaining Hopeful

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In Parshat Vayera, amidst the backdrop of sinfulness and destruction, Avraham stands out as a beacon of optimism and faith in human goodness. The interpretation of this story sends a strong message to his descendents about the power of prayer and not giving up hope.

Avaraham eagerly welcomes visitors (angels) and receives God’s blessing and promise that he will have a child with Sarah and become a great nation. As Avraham sees his guests off, the Torah shifts to the situation in Sodom, underscoring the stark contrast between the kindness of Avraham and the cruelty of Sodom. Yet, before Sodom’s destruction, God chooses to share His intentions with Avraham, asking, “Shall I hide from Avraham what I am about to do?” Why does God need to inform Avraham of His intentions? Similarly, a few verses later, just before Avraham pleads with God, hoping that there were a few righteous people left in the city, we hear: “Abraham remained standing before the Lord.” Bereshit Rabbah teaches that actually, it was God who waited for Avraham, inviting him to intercede. However, the Scribes revised the verse to appear less irreverent. Both these verses imply that God encouraged Avraham to protest and pray, despite the seeming hopelessness and dire state of Sodom.

A similar idea is seen in a midrashic story about King Hezekiah in Talmud Berakhot. Hezekiah prays despite Jeremiah’s prophecy that he will soon die, asserting, “I have received a tradition from the house of my father’s father: Even if a sharp sword rests upon a person’s neck, he should not prevent himself from praying.” Hezekiah prays and holds onto hope, even in the bleakest and most hopeless of times. 

Amidst our war-weariness, the rise of antisemitism across the West, and the long wait for the return of the hostages, we can draw strength from Avraham and Hezekiah, who teach us never to give up hope. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson