Toldot Audio Classes

A five minute weekly Torah insight based on the wellsprings of Torah and Chassidut.

An in depth presentation of Chassidic teachings on the weekly Parshah.

Experience the gems of the Parshah with the classic commentaries, and a kabbalistic twist.

Examining the weekly Torah reading through the lens of contemporary commentary, showing how topical and relevant the parsha's ideas really are. Both mystical and pragmatic, this lesson will elevate your spirit and refine your view of the world around you.

Uncover the mystical dimension of the puzzling story of Jacob masquerading as his brother Esau to deceive his father Isaac into blessing him instead.

Get a detailed overview of the weekly Torah portion sewn together with keen insights and timely life messages.

Welcome to M-Cast, where we take a look at topics in the weekly Torah portion and see how it relates to the coming of Moshiach.

The G-dly refinement of the world has been going on for three and a half thousand years, counting from Sinai, the refinement is obviously through man’s efforts, and the world must grow from within the natural order. It all began with Yitzchak and his wells...

A five minute weekly Torah thought based on the teachings of Chassidut.

An in depth look at the weekly Parshah based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

An advanced presentation of Chassidic teachings on the Parshah.

A short insightful message on the parshah.

Emulating our forefather Isaac's financial success and how he apportioned his wealth to tzedakah—charity.

Where am I most Jewish: in the synagogue, in the boardroom, or at my breakfast table? Look into your life and find the parsha therein.

Jacob and Essau, born as identical twins went on to lead polar opposite lives. How did they become so different? A lesson in understating our own potential with regard to our personal life circumstances.

A child shouldn’t be expected to be a miniature replica of his parent. Individual character traits need to be honed and channeled.

This portion begins with the verse, “These (Jacob and Esau) are the offspring of Yitzchak" but the Hebrew word for offspring (toldot) is missing a letter vav. Also, when it says that Rebecca is pregnant with twins, the Hebrew word for twins (te'omim) is missing a letter aleph.

Esau married his uncle Ishmael's daughter Machalat. Was Machalat righteous or wicked? Scripture gives us evidence to argue both ways.

The Torah records minute details about Rebecca’s first and only pregnancy. Did her twin sons, Jacob and Esau, have free choice to become who they wanted to be or were their personalities predestined from the womb?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The birth and development of Yaakov and Eisav was rife with inexplicable tension and conflict. Explore the genome, nature and nurture of these wrestling twins in the womb, and how their phenomenal twin birth may correlate with modern science.

The story of Yaakov deceiving his father and stealing the blessings from his brother Eisav is full of mystery. One peculiar detail is Eisav’s special garment that Yaakov wears for the scheme.

A profound, thought-provoking and fascinating exploration of how our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob might have fulfilled the mitzvah of Tefillin in their own time! Discover shocking secrets about strange practices of our hallowed ancestors that may actually be influencing your life today!

The parsha of Toldot contains 106 verses and the mnemonic for it is the word ‘ulo’ (yoke). Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

When Yitzchak bestows the blessing of the first-born, rather than invoking the name of G-d associated with mercy and benevolence, he invokes the name of G-d associated with judgment and severity. This class will explain this oddity and offers an encouraging message for our times.

The very name Yitzchok (Isaac) means joy. Yet Yitzchok is classically described as personifying the properties of discipline, awe and strict justice. How are we to reconcile these contrasting attributes and what is the lesson for our personal lives? (Likutei Sichos vol. 30)

Jacob and Esau wrestled with each-other while yet in their mother's womb. Their struggle, explain our Sages, was over possession of both this world – the physical, and the hereafter – the spiritual. But why the battle over both worlds?! Jacob desires the world of holiness and spirituality and Esau the sensual, material world. So what's to fight about? Each to his own! (Likutei Sichos vol 20)

Why is it so important to perform all the details of halachah in such an exacting manner? Should not the focus merely be about our sense of devotion and love and care for one another? A deeper look into the genetic makeup and rivalry of the identical twins Yaakov and Eisav offers insight into this matter. (A lecture at the Jewish Women’s Retreat in Toronto in 2015)

Our Sages taught, “There are three whose sins are forgiven: (a) A convert upon converting, (b) one who is elevated to a high position and (c) when one marries.” This class explores the Scriptual source for the latter and in so doing addresses the question why this final Exile has been far longer than the previous exiles the Jewish people have endured. (Likutei Sichos volume 35, Sicha 3)

A journey through the weekly Torah portion briefly explaining the text in plain English—based on the commentary of Rashi.