JUDAISM
at AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY
Shabbat Parashat Tol'Dot - 2 Kislev 5769 - Who is your praying partner?
November 29, 2008 / 2 Kislev 5769
By: Reb Mimi Feigelson, Mashpiah Ruchanit
Torah Reading: Genesis 25:19 - 28:9
Haftarah Reading: Malakhi 1:1 - 2:7
It is a unique occurrence to find a husband and wife praying together in the Torah the way we find Yitzchak and Rivka:
"Yitzchak entreated (va'ye'e'tar) with God on behalf / in the presence (no'chach) of his wife, because she was barren; and God responded to his plea, and his wife Rivka conceived" (Breishit/Genesis 25, 21).
When opening a Mikra'ot Gedolot edition of the chumash there is not a commentator on the page that does not pay homage to this verse. Some will take up the uniqueness of the word va'ye'e'tar in an attempt to understand the nature of Yitzchak's prayer, and how it is different than va'yit'palel, (and he prayed), for example? For many commentators it will be the intensity of his prayer, for others it reflects a quality - a prayer that turns over heaven and earth as the pitchfork (eter) turns over land. Regardless of the etymology of the word there seems to be consensus that Yitzchak is demanding of God to overturn their natural predicament.
Walking with God
Walking with God is an adult education course comprising twelve learning units.
Walking with God has been created by the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in partnership with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly. It has been made possible by the generous support of the Held Foundation, and is dedicated to the memory of Louise Held.
Our tradition teaches that Talmud Torah has no prescribed measure, that it yields benefit both immediately and in the time to come. It is our earnest hope that the Walking with God project will awaken a passion for learning and provide a stimulating and positive educational experience in the short term. We pray, also, that in the longer term it will help to strengthen our people's connection to God and to a life of spirit and mitzvot.