Parshat Toledot; Genesis 25:19 – 28:9, By Rabbi Denise L. Eger

With this weekly portion the focus of the Torah’s story shifts to the second generation of the patriarchs and matriarchs, namely the lifetimes of Isaac and Rebecca. In the opening verses of the parasha we learn of the infertility of Rebecca and Isaac. This already hearkens to the story of his parents, Abraham and Sarah. Abraham and Sarah could not conceive until the miracle of angel’s announcement of Isaac’s birth in his parents’ old age. But unlike Isaac’s father Abraham who questions God about the lack of heirs, it seems Isaac takes a different tact with God. Isaac prays to God on Rebecca’s behalf to conceive. The text tells us too that God was prayed to and indeed moved to remedy Rebecca’s and Isaac situation. God heard their prayer and they were blessed with children.

If only the challenges of infertility were as easy as this!

But more often than not—the challenges of infertility bring with it an emotional roller coaster that can play havoc on the lives of a couple or a single person who goes through this process. Conception can be regulated by timing, regime, and fertility drugs. Conception can be taken out of the context of intimate relationship by test tubes, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, sperm donors, egg donors and doctors’ offices. The hard realities of the technicalities and medical interventions necessary to conceive and have children for the infertile can eat away at the joys and hopes of a life blessed with children. The medical processes and procedures can actually add layers of stress that further inhibit the ability to conceive.

That is why Isaac and Rebecca’s response to their situation is so helpful even in the 21st century. They used the tools available to them in their day. That tool was prayer. Isaac’s spiritual side and ability to pray for his wife also speaks of the loving care a spouse can show to another in difficult times. That Isaac would pray to God on their behalf for children shows his deep faith and hope.

But surprisingly that tool is also available to us. Not that it will necessarily solve medical and/or physical issues but prayer can be of great support on the many spiritual issues that infertility raises.

Infertility can affect a couples’ bond with one another. It can eat away at the loving and holy fence that surround partners. Infertility in a single person who desires children and will use medical means to achieve the goal of offspring is even more trying when there is no one to share the journey and travails. That is why prayer is important. It can strengthen our resolve. Prayer can bring us comfort in difficult hours and provide a chance to open the channels of body, mind and soul to a different divine energy that perhaps when flowing through us allows us to prepare our body our sacred vessel and our home for the gift of a child. Prayer can help us alleviate some of the stresses that come with the processes needed to overcome infertility. Prayer can help us give voice to our worries, fears and concerns and prayer to God can help us reflect upon the values and teachings that we wish to impart to our offspring.

Prayer can build our faith in God and in the future.

This is not limited to those who seek to have children and whose infertility issues have thus far prevented that option.

Prayer can be a tool of great assistance in overcoming many different kinds of difficulties.

Isaac’s example this week, in Parshat Toledot provides us with guidance and hopefully, opens us up to the possibility that God too will hear our entreaty with the same swiftness and caring.

Posted by Lee at November 20, 2006 08:41 AM