Parashat Toldot and a little bit of neuroscience

This week's Parashah is a very interesting account of how Yaakov obtained the blessing from Isaac. Rivka played a huge role, which included some deception. (sounds like a great soap opera!)
The beginning of the story begins with a difficult pregnancy. Rivka asks why me? Why is this happening?

Hashem tells her - that she is going to have twins! Not one boy but two! However. The older shall serve the younger. Will the older do this willingly? Will there be a stuggle?

The Rebbetzin's Husband writes so eloquently about this struggle the Jewish people have had throughout our history. So many sad events, and we ask why? We are comforted that there is a divine purpose beyond our comprehension.

As a Jewish people, although we accept that Hashem has chosen us, and has a purpose - that does not stop us from asking why? Not only why us, but why is there suffering. As long as we do not know this answer. We will alway ask why. We should also ask - how do we stop it? How can we, as humans, as the Chosen behave with more compassion, rise up against injustice and help others.

We can ask why, but do we really want to know why? Wouldn't having a reason, give us a reason, to not rise up? If we knew there was a specific, logical reason, then wouldn't suffering be completely rationalized? Would Hashem ever be able to give an explanation that our human brains can be satisfied with?

My best friend said of 9/11 - that it is better not to know why - because when we have that understanding, then we will think like those who perpetuate injustice. We will understand them, and then it will somehow be O.K.

It is better then to ask - how - how to rise up, how to prevent, how to teach, how to remember so that we can always move foreward and upwards. How is physical action that humans can do.

Two nations in the womb of Rivka - we each have two nations - good and evil, left brain and right brain. As humans, Hashem gave us a choice. We are able to experience ambivalence - choosing one thing over another. Then we must live with the consequences - some of which are good, like making the world a better place.

We can stay in our warm beds, cocooned from the world. We can get up a little earlier to Daven and make a connection with Hashem. We can use our pay checks to buy a Starbucks Tall Latte (non-fat) or we can take the $4 and put it in the Tzedakah box. One choice brings us a moment of pleasure, the other, a lifetime.

The following TED video is a beautiful lecture on the struggle of the two sides of the brain. I thought a wonderful "application of the Two Nations story. And its by a scientist!

This video is especially touching to me, as my grandfather suffered a stroke before passing and his Yahrtzeit is this week. He was the most religions person in my family. The one I would watch pray with Tefilin. He was compassionate and kind, and made me proud of my faith.



Shavuah Tov!