D'var for Vayeishev

This week's d'var is written by Sam Burg.

In this week's parshah, Vayeishev, Joseph relates to his brothers his grandiose dreams of greatness, arousing their jealousy. He is consequently sold into slavery to an Egyptian master. After being accused of rape by his Egyptian master's wife, Joseph is thrown into prison, where he interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cup-bearer and baker. The story of Judah and Tamar is also related at length.

D'var for Vayishlach

This week's d'var is written by Michael Berelowitz.

This week’s parshah is Vayishlach. After twenty years in Charan, Jacob returns and prepares to meet Esau. He wants to make up with Esau, but he finds out that Esau is about to attack him with 400 armed men. After finding this out, Jacob sends Esau a gift with livestock heads to try and make things better. On his way to the Holy Land, Jacob encounters an angel who represents Esau’s spirit. Jacob and the angel wrestle, and the angel gives Jacob a new name: “Israel.” Jacob and Esau meet, and they make up. Jacob then buys land near Shechem, where the prince rapes Jacob’s daughter, Dinah. Jacob continues on his way to the Holy Land, and Rachel dies while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin (Joseph was the first). Jacob finally arrives to Isaac (his dad) in Hebron, and Isaac dies at 180 years old. He also finds out that his mom, Rebecca, died before he returned.

The story of how Jacob and Esau reunited provides a lesson for all of us; no matter how big of a fight we have with someone, we cannot let that separate us. Whether it’s a close friend, or especially a family member, our relationship with them is too important to let go of. Jacob and Esau showed this perfectly. If they could bury the hatchet, anyone can.