Parshas Toldos Shabbos Times Erev Shabbos Shabbos Day Plag HaMincha 6:46pm Latest time for Shema 9:30am Candle Lighting 7:58pm Shabbos Ends 9:04pm Shkiya 8:15pm Shaarei Shabbos Riddles 1. I'm too young to be Parev. Who am I? 2. Shemoneh Esrei consists of 19 brochos. Who, when, where and in what situation does a person say 21 brochos during the repetition of the Shemoneh Esrei? 3. In what two contexts does the number 40 appear in this parsha? 4. Whose neck is mentioned in this parsha? (2 answers) SMS your answers to 0425858502 to enter into the raffle to win a prize Short Vort on the Parsha In this week's Parsha the Torah relates to us the birth and growth of Yaakov and Eisav, the twin sons of Yitzchok and Rivka. About them the Torah states: 'And the children grew, and Eisav was a skilled hunter, a man of the field. Yaakov was a simple man, who dwelled in tents'. Chazal say that Yaakov engaged in spiritual and intellectual pursuits in the study halls of Shem and Eiver. The Posuk says "And Yaakov was cooking food when Eisav came exhausted from the field. 'Give me some of that red stuff, because I'm exhausted' said Eisav. 'Sell me your birthright today,' replied Yaakov. 'I'm going to die (anyway), what do I need a birthright for,'" concluded Eisav. Eisav sold his birthright which had only to do with spiritual entitlements, for a portion of red lentils, and he didn't even give it a second thought. The Stipler, writes that Eisav thought the whole issue of the birthright was a big joke. The Midrash states that Eisav brought a group of friends who joined in the fun of belittling the birthright and lauded Eisav for getting the better end of the deal. It was only years later when Yitzchok decided to give a brocha to Eisav, his first born. Rivka overheard the conversation between Yitzchok and Eisav and tells Yaakov to take the brochos. When Eisav realises what has happened he cries an extremely great and bitter cry. Now he realised that he sold the birthright for a bowl of lentils! This event in the life of Eisav teaches us a great lesson; it analogizes the choices we face in our own lives, and their repercussions. The bowl of lentils represents the material world. Wholehearted pursuit of the material world is often at the expense of spiritual growth, and the opportunity to develop a relationship with Hashem. Material attainment often ends in disappointment. What was absolutely ridiculous to Eisav before was a source of extreme pain and regret at a later point in his life.