Questions - Parsha Toledot Adot Adonai 1

Torah Study Questions

Parsha Toledot - B’reshit (Gen) 25:19-28:9

Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas

Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically? What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play? What is the

significance of each role? Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play? What is the

significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha? What are the subdivisions, if any?

Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Chapter 25

Why does this portion begin with the statement that Yitzchak was a son of Avraham? How old was

Yitzchak when he married Rivkah (Rebecca)? How many years passed between verses 20 and 21, the

period that Rivkah was barren? What situation confronted Yitzchak that his father also faced? How did

Yitzchak respond to that condition and who was it different than his father’s response. What was the

result? What condition did each of the matriarchs (Sarah, Rivkah, and Raquel (Rachel)) have in common

and what is the explanation the Sages offer?

What words describe Rivkah's pregnancy? What did she do as a result and what was the response? What

was the significance of YHVH's prophetic statement? Who are the nations described? What was the

outcome of her pregnancy? What names were they given and why? Describe the contrasting lifestyles of

the two sons of Yitzchak and Rivkah. Which parent favored which son and why?

What important possession did Esav have, how did he receive it and what was his attitude towards it? To

whom was it sold and what was received in exchange? How did this affect his name? How is this reflected

in the Brit Chadashah and how does it affect the life of Y'shua? What lessons can we learn from this

transaction, its motivation, and its result?

Questions - Parsha Toledot Adot Adonai 2

Chapter 26

Compare and contrast the response of Yitzchak to the famine with that of his father. How were their

responses similar and how were they different? What significance is attached to the instruction of YHVH

to Yitzchak? What promise did he make to Yitzchak regarding the oath that he swore to Avraham and

why he did he make this promise? In what way did Yitzchak follow in the steps of his father in relationship

to Avimelech and what was the result? What lessons can we learn from these story that are applicable to

life today?

How did Yitzchak become wealthy in the land and what was the response of the inhabitants? How did they

demonstrate their response? What did Yitzchak have to do as a result? What significant contribution did

he and his servants make to the land in which they dwelt? Describe the significance of the wells in the lives

of the people of that land. How were Avraham and Yitzchak "evangelists" in the land? What lessons can

we learn from the patriarchs and their witness of YHVH as described in this parsha?

Where did YHVH appear to Yitzchak? What did he say to Yitzchak and what was Yitzchak's response?

With whom did Yitzchak make a covenant, why and with what result? How did this location receive its

name and what is its significance?

Who did Esav marry? Where were they from? What was the effect on the relationship with his parents

and why?

Chapter 27

What was the significance of the firstborn blessing, both in the short-term and in the eternal plan of YHVH?

Who was entitled to it and how did he become entitled? What confirmation had been received from

YHVH and by whom? What other factors may have contributed to the decision by Rivkah to direct and

assist Ya'akov in his deception of Yitzchak? What was her plan and what was the key to its success?

How can the acts of Rivkah and Ya'akov be justified? Why was Yitzchak suspicious and how did he

alleviate those suspicions? List the specifics of the blessing that Yitzchak conveyed on his son and describe

the prophetic significance of each.

What happened when Esav arrived and sought his blessing from Yitzchak? What was his father's response

and why? List the specifics of the blessing and prophetic words that he extracted from Yitzchak and

describe the significance of each. What was the response of Esav and what was he on the verge of doing

to his brother and what restrained him? How has the controversy between these brothers been manifested

throughout Biblical history, the time of Y'shua, and until today? What world views are represented by

Esav and Ya'akov? Which is acceptable to YHVH and blessed by him? Why?

What actions did Rivkah take to protect her favored son from his brother? What instructions did she give

to Ya'akov? How did she influence Yitzchak in regard to Ya'akov and his future?

Questions - Parsha Toledot Adot Adonai 3

Chapter 28

When Yitzchak summoned Ya'akov, what did he do and how did he instruct his son? List the specifics of

the blessing that Ya'akov received at this time and compare them to the firstborn blessing he received.

What lesson did Esav learn from these instructions of Yitzchak to Ya'akov? What was his response?

What may have been his motivation? How does the Brit Chadashah describe Esav and his actions?

What further mention does the Torah make of Yitzchak? What lessons may be learned from the Torah's

account of the life of Yitzchak? What seemingly contrasting attributes of YHVH work together to benefit

his people and why? Which characteristic did Yitzchak embody and why? Which did his father, Avraham,

embody and why?

What role do you believe the favoritism shown by the parents played in this story? What lessons can be

learned by parents today? What lessons may be learned about deception, its motivation, and its results?

What is the ultimate result in this case both short-term, long-term and eternally? What does the Brit

Chadashah teach us about the sovereignty of YHVH in relationship to this parsha? Read Philippians 2:5-13

and compare the description of Messiah Y'shua with the life of Yitzchak and the character traits that are

common to both.

Closing Questions: For Personal Introspection

Why do you believe our loving Father provided us with this particular portion of his words? What was his

purpose and objective in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day? What benefit do they have

for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like

to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the study?

What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life?

How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently pray for the Ruach HaKodesh to implant his words like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart,

and to enable you to respond fully as they do.