Parsha Toldot Discussion Questions

As part of our Book of Bereshit (Genesis) Engagement Project, as we read from the Book of Bereshit,  every week we will be posting discussion questions that we hope families will use to discuss the Torah portion over Shabbat, as well as either a video D’var Torah or a unique Camp Ramah parsha quiz.

This week’s discussion questions were developed by this past summer’s Machon campers, when they were in Shoafim.   We encourage you to post any of your family’s answers to the questions in the comments section below.

Parsha Toldot Discussion Questions

Developed by

David Mayer, Joel Halpern, Ruth A. Sherman, Hannah Rabinowiz, and Elena Schwartz

• Did Jacob have the right to take the birthright from Esau?
• What would you do if you were in Jacob’s place?
• Would you have tricked your brother and your father in order to take something that wasn’t yours but that gave you power?

• Do you think Isaac subconsciously knew it was Jacob?
• Is there any evidence in the Torah that tells us that Esau was a dutiful (or not) son?
• Do you think that Rebecca did the right thing?
• What was God’s role in allowing Jacob to trick Isaac?
• What does it mean to get a blessing? Does a blessing have physical power?