What's the Spiel? - Parshat Toldot

What's the Spiel?

2 Kislev 5786 - November 22, 2025

Parshat Toldot

Rabbi's Reflections

-Defining Moments: Lessons from the Field-

In this week's parsha, Parshat Toldot, we learn about the birth of the two most famous twins in the Torah: Esav and Yaakov. While there are many well-known narratives contained within our parsha, the "selling of the birthright" is one that is particularly intriguing. Our parsha teaches us, "And Yaakov boiled a stew, and Esav came in from the field, and he was exhausted. Esav said to Yaakov, 'Pour into me, now, some of that very red stuff for I am exhausted'...Yaakov said, 'Sell, as this day, your birthright to me'" (Bereshit 25:29-31).

Why does Esav's simple, innocuous request for lentil stew prompt Yaakov to ask for his Bechora, his birthright in return? To help answer this question, I would like to turn to the words of the Sforno, who writes that because Esav was so tired after occupying himself with the strenuous labors of hunting all day, he could not even identify what type of food was cooking in the pot, calling it, "that very red stuff," instead of lentils. Thus, Yaakov reasoned with himself that "doubtless, [Esav] will not be able to occupy [himself] with the responsibilities of the birthright, to serve God as befits a firstborn" (Commentary on Bereshit 25:31). In other words, Yaakov knew that Esav's passion was for the outdoors - hunting, chasing and trapping, as it says, "Esav became a man who knows trapping, a man of the field" (Bereshit 25:27). Yaakov knew that Esav, single-minded man that he was, would not be willing or able to sacrifice any of his time or energy for hunting for the sake of pursuing the rigorous and challenging spiritual responsibilities involved with being the firstborn. Therefore, when Yaakov saw how committed Esav was to his physical pursuits, to the point that he could not even recognize what lay before him, he understood that this was a man who would never be able to tear himself away from that lifestyle and commit himself to serving God with that same level of intensity.

Whether we are aware of it or not, people judge us based on the way we act at any given moment, and determine whether or not we a fit for a position, a role or responsibility. At the moment Yaakov was cooking stew, he saw Esav's behavior as an indicator that he could not do justice to the Berchora. Similarly, when we feel tired, when we feel weak and famished after a hard day's work, it is important to remember that even though our day has ended, people's views of us have not, and by acting out of tiredness- speaking gruffly, cutting in line, pushing someone aside, or just being snippy, others might come to see those moments of weakness as the definitive markers of our personalities. The moment we allow ourselves to forget ourselves is the moment others will never forget us.

This Shabbat, let us learn an important lesson from Esav: even during times of physical weakness, we should always strive to remember that as representatives of Torah and Judaism we always have an obligation to comport ourselves with dignity, honor and grace, so that everyone we encounter, especially when we feel the most faint, will say of us, "Surely a wise and discerning people is this great nation!" (Devarim 4:6).

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham

CTI Schedule 5785/2025

Friday, November 21

5:13PM - Candle Lighting

5:10PM - Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday, November 22

9:00AM - Shacharit

10:30AM Shabbat Youth Programs

5:05PM - Mincha

6:10PM - Havdalah

Sunday, November 21

8:30AM - Shacharit

Monday - Wednesday

7:05AM - Shacharit

Thursday (Thanksgiving)

8:30AM - Shacharit

Friday

7:05AM - Shacharit

Mazal Tov

Congratulations to Tayler and Joe Lonsdale on receiving the Jewish Parents Forum Award at the Tikvah Foundation's Jewish Leadership Conference held in New York City on November 16th. Tayler and Joe received this prestigious recognition for their leadership as Founders of both the Hadar Jewish Classical Academy and the University of Austin (UATX). In attendance at the event were CTI members Sean and Meredith Clifford, Bernie Groveman and Barbara Ancona, Eric and Beth Shapiro, Jonathan and Roni Saad, Michelle Almog, Aaron Webman, Dan Ledeen, Jay Rubin, and Rabbi Millner. Special thanks to Barb and Arthur Altman, Kaylen and Carol Silverberg, Camille and Sandy Kress, and Jordan and Karen Blashek for their contributions towards making CTI's presence at the conference possible.

CTI Announcements

Attention young families! On Sunday, December 7th from 9:30 AM to 11 AM, please join Kid's Club to learn about Chanukah! We will make holiday cards, decorate candles, play dreidel, and enjoy sufganiyot.Kid's Club of Hadassah is a free monthly event for families in the Austin area.

Questions? Contact austin@hadassah.org. with the subject line "Kids Club". This program is made possible due to a generous grant from Shalom Austin.

Registration link: https://hwzoa.networkforgood.com/events/94108-west-gsw-austin-december-kid-s-club-2025

Hadassah is having a happy hour on December 11. Please join us for our monthly happy hour at a wine bar in the Northwest Hills. We'll get to know one another over drinks and grow sisterly bonds through our shared passions.

More information HERE.

Light Up the Night: Latkes & Spirits with Austin Hadassah

Sunday, December 7th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Honoring: Michal Ilai, One of Hadassah's 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know

Michal Ilai is the senior Israel educator at Shalom Austin. Her 30-year career has focused on Jewish identity, Israel-diaspora relations and Zionism, and she has founded programs, facilitated workshops and designed curricula to strengthen Jewish peoplehood.

More information HERE!

Help Renew Israel's Economy and Agricultural Heritage

Ehud Adler, father of five and commander in the Golani reconnaissance unit, and brother of CTI member Hagit Cohen, has been serving on the frontlines in Gaza and Lebanon since October 7th.

Before the war, Ehud was ready to plant a vineyard on ancestral Jewish land — the same hills where our people grew wine 2,000 years ago. His grapes would supply Jerusalem Winery, producing kosher wine rooted in Jewish history and faith.

But while Ehud defends Israel, he cannot fund this dream. And this year, new farmers receive no state support.

This vineyard is more than wine.

It is life. It is resilience. It is our future.

Help Ehud plant deep roots in our homeland. Donate today to Jerusalem Winery.

https://www.amyisroelchai.com/donate

Shmira, watching over the deceased, is a sacred mitzvah. If you would like to find out more information about how CTI engages shmira, or think you might be interested in participating in this mitzvah, please contact Larry Smith, CTI's Shmira Coordinator at lsmith@egsanalytics.com, or (512) 923-3964. Registering as a shomer does not obligate you, but it includes you in the list of people who will be notified when there is a death in our community and a need for shomrim.

Support Israel

SHALOM AUSTIN EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN

AIPAC

FRIEND OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES

ISRAEL AMERICAN COUNCIL

HADASSAH

ACH GADOL FOR LONE SOLDIERS

WORLD ZIONIST ORGANIZATION

ISRAEL BONDS

JNF

Thank you Joshua and Mor Baum for sponsoring Kiddush in loving memory of Didi Baum zl.

Kiddush sponsorship is a great way to honor a loved one's memory or celebrate a special occasion while also giving a little back to the community.

If you have a special day you would like to commemorate with a kiddush, now is a great time to reserve your sponsorship for the Shabbos of your choice. If your date is not visible yet on the kiddush calendar, you can still email Beth and ask about reserving that date. Thank you so much for your support of CTI’s kiddush program.

Sponsor A Kiddush

Mazel Tov!

Rhonda Kamen, Birthday November 22
Rosemary Klein-Robbins, Birthday November 25
Sampson Glassman, Birthday November 25
Gloria Wallner, Birthday November 25
Larry Smith, Birthday November 26
Daniel Ledeen, Birthday November 27
Barb Altman, Birthday November 28
Henna E. Tatham, Birthday November 28

*Please update your shulcloud account with birthdays, anniversaries, and Yahrzeits to make sure they're highlighted in the Spiel. If you have any questions on how to do so, please email admin@tiferetaustin.org*