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Toldot: Zemer of The Week

“Hineh Ma Tov U’Ma Na’im” (הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים)

Eli Marcus: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vkSUOeCuSvI

Miami Boys Choir version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfwti5pVtVI

הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים, שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is When brothers sit together in harmony.

Connection to Parshat Toldot:

The parsha’s central tension is between brothers who don’t sit together in harmony – Yaakov and Esav. Singing this song helps children reflect on what might have been different if the twins had found a way to live “gam yachad.” It’s a perfect opportunity to talk about sibling relationships, peace, and kindness, contrasting the song’s ideal with the Torah’s story and encouraging children to develop the type of relationship that Yaakov and Esav could not.

If you like traditional zemirot, here are two that have multiple connections to the parsha:

The zemer for this week: ברוך א-ל עליון

https://www.kolel.org/videos/428348

This zemer’s acrostic is “Baruch Chazak.” It was written by R’ Baruch ben Shmuel, a prominent Tosafist (e.g., he wrote the Tosafos for Masechet Sota) who lived in the thirteenth century. The zemer praises Shabbos observance and observers, and describes the rewards that await those who observe it.

A central element of this parsha is Yitzchak’s brachot (blessings) to his sons, Yaakov and Eisav.

Some of the connections to the parsha:

  • The first letter of each of the first 4 stanzas form the word “ברוך” 

          o Also, 2nd line of last stanza: “להניח ברכה” (“To bestow a blessing”) – Yitzchak bestowed blessings on each of his sons.

  •  3rd line of 2nd stanza: “במיני מטעמים” (“With different kinds of delicacies”) – Rivka prepared “Mat’amim” (delicacies) for Yaakov to bring to Yitzchak before he received his bracha (Bereishit 27:17).

           o Likewise, Eisav also prepared Mat’amim and brought them to Yitzchak (Bereishit 27:17)

  • Chorus and 4th line of 4th stanza: “מנחה” – According to the Gemara (Brachot 26b), Yitzchak was the one who originated the Mincha prayer. 

The zemer for this week: יום זה לישראל 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8u2XnHuFPI

According to Artscroll Zemiros, many think that the ArIzal wrote this zemer, based in part on the acrostic formed by its stanzas (“Yitzchok Luria Chazak”). However, its Hebrew language would be a divergence from the ArIzal’s usual Aramaic, leading others to doubt his authorship. The zemer brings together the Halachic and spiritual sides of Shabbos, while pleading for Hashem to redeem us because of our keeping of the Shabbos.

Central elements of this parsha include Yaakov’s buying of the bechora and Yitzchak’s brachot (blessings) to his sons, Yaakov and Eisav.

Some of the connections to the parsha:

  • The first letter of the chorus and each of the first 3 stanzas form the name “יצחק”, who takes center stage in this parsha.

          o 1st line of 3rd stanza: “קדשת ברכת” (“You hallowed, You blessed”) – Yitzchak bestowed holy blessings on Yaakov.

  • 3rd line of 3rd stanza: “עגומים” (“Grieving people”) – The Gemara in Bava Batra (16b) says that Yaakov had prepared lentil stew because of its relevance to their mourning and grieving for Avraham, who had passed away that day. Yaakov traded this stew to Eisav in exchange for the birthright.
  • 1st line of 2nd stanza: “חמדת הלבבות” (“A delight of the heart”) – Rivka prepared delicacies for Yaakov to bring to Yitzchak before he received his bracha (Bereishit 27:17).
  • End of 4th stanza: “מנחה” – According to the Gemara (Brachot 26b), Yitzchak was the one who originated the Mincha prayer.