WRJ Voices: Tol'dot

We are all recognizing the challenges in our complicated world whether from the devastation of hurricanes, fires, tornados, floods, mass killings, or prejudice, poverty, famines, and the list grows longer. We ask what we can do and how we can do whatever is needed. We feel frustration, fear and anger. There is little comfort in knowing that history repeats itself along with blessings and curses.

The constant still remains that we are human beings with dreams and ideals, flaws and strengths, opportunities and limitations. In Parashat Toldot we learn about the family of Isaac and Rebecca and their twin sons, Esau and Jacob. How difficult family life becomes when children are favored by one parent or the other, and the parents make choices and act in ways that are less than truthful, dramatically affecting the relationships within their families. Or, when adult complicity involves children leading to deeply troubled relationships.

More introspectively, the importance of listening, words, and actions based on different perceptions is the basis of most conflicts biblically and, certainly, today.

Some scholars have wondered if Isaac’s blindness prevented him from knowing that he was blessing Jacob rather than Esau. Where was Jacob’s integrity when he agreed to participate in the conspiracy with his mother to steal the birthright that birth order denied him. Why did Esau not demand his inheritance? Rights, inheritance, and opportunity are not equal or necessarily fair. Leaders and leadership do not develop because of specific personal skills or interests. The hunter contributes as well as the scholar or the farmer. Each can be a successful leader. And so goes the story we follow in Parashat Todolt.

I believe that we can learn to listen, to examine our perceptions, to seek truth, and to try to make choices by taking the time and making the effort to be responsible, soothe ourselves, and separate our needs from our wants. Perhaps, then we can deal more effectively with blessings and adversity.

Right now we are choosing our own leadership paths and fulfilling our own desires aware that there are opportunities to guide us in meaningful directions. Together in our women’s groups, as individual members, with our districts and our North American and world partners, we can choose to participate in the Fried Leadership Conference; we can work at many levels in social action, social justice, and advocacy; we can support communities devastated by disasters through Women of Reform Judaism. Your sisterhoods/women’s groups can create and submit project or program applications for a WRJ Outreach Grant that fosters connections to Judaism for interfaith families and non-Jews.

We can be blessings and create blessings.

Lindie Henderson is a WRJ Board Member completing board service in March and a Past President of Pacific District.