Boiling Point

There seems to be a lot of food in this parsha. When we talk about the word toldot, mostly people say, “Oh, that’s the generations” – “It’s all about their lineage” – “Those are just those boring genealogy sections.” The word itself, תולדת, means just that in the Biblical context. (It can also be construed as history, and later as a result or consequence.) However, Parashat Toldot begins just after the ending genealogy given in Parashat Chayyei Sarah. I guess maybe it works as the history of Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob? Well, if this is true, that history seems to be pretty culinary.

Food is the central theme of bargaining, assumed betrayal/deceit, comfort, and tradition in this parsha. The first narrative portrays Esau’s trade of his birthright for red stew. He sees Jacob cooking – I imagine his reaction to the fragrant, boiling stew. Esau observes that the meal is almost ready – bubbling and simmering – and his senses are overwhelmed after an intense hunting session. He’s not ready to have to cook himself food, but he’s famished. The verbal giving of his birthright seems both a small price to pay and perhaps retractable.

Later, Rebekah uses food to match Esau’s ability, and this perpetuates Isaac’s blessing of Jacob, the younger twin, rather than Esau, the older. Esau is distraught (along with his father) to learn that he has lost the traditional blessing and inheritance, but Isaac cannot revoke his words and vow from his younger son. Now, Esau reaches his boiling point of anger – or so the text seems to imply. Jacob is sent away in order to escape the red-hot anger of his twin.

When have you reached your boiling point? Why? How do you react?

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This week, my komps kaos got a little more organized. I took a weekend to visit my friend and accountability partner, who helped me think through my comps project management. With a structure in place, I’m hopeful that this week I can have a fully mapped-out plan, then begin to execute and review my progress.