This week’s parsha, Toldot, recounts the classic Jacob and Esau story. Isaac and Rebecca have twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Esau is the first born and is said to be a hunter and a “man of the field.” Jacob is said to be a dweller in the tent of learning. The resentment starts one late afternoon, when Esau gets home from a day of hunting. He is hungry and exhausted, so he sells his birthright to Jacob for a pot of stew. Esau somewhat regrets this move in the long run. Eventually Isaac grows old and blind, and wants to bless Esau before he dies. He tells Esau to prepare his favorite meal so Isaac can bless him. One day, when Esau is out hunting, Rebecca, who loves Jacob more, prepares the meal and tells Jacob to bring it to Isaac, pretending to be Esau, so Isaac would accidentally give the blessing to Jacob instead. Jacob does this and gets the blessing. When Esau returns home and finds this out, he is furious and threatens to kill Jacob. Jacob flees to Charan for his safety.

I/A Update

Hey everyone! Get excited about this month's Israel update!

The medical industry in Israel continues to do astonishing things. It was recently reported that researchers at Hebrew University have developed a way to make medical pills using a 3-D printer. This new method enables more complex shapes and forms for pills, and this flexibility allows the pills to more effectively treat patients based on each patient’s individual need. This invention is also set to pave the way for the creation of more pills that can work better than medication currently being used. This is yet another example of how Israeli innovation is helping improve lives worldwide!