In this week’s parsha, Vayishalach, Jacob is on his way to meet Esau. Jacob is scared that Esau will want to kill him for stealing his birthright, so Jacob splits his camp in two to keep them safer. On his way, Jacob wrestles with an angel who, upon realizing that Jacob is winning, strains Jacob’s thigh. The angel gives Jacob a new name, Israel. The angel blesses Jacob and then leaves.
When Jacob meets Esau, they embrace, and all is forgiven. The two brothers separate and they go off to continue their lives, coming together again to bury Isaac, their father, who dies at 180.
Friday, December 13, 2019
Friday, December 6, 2019
D'var for Vayeitei
Sorry I forgot to do last week (Toldot) while on Thanksgiving break! Woops!
Anyway, here’s this week’s d’var:
In this week’s parsha, Vayeitzei, Jacob is on the run after having stolen his brother’s blessing. He slept on a stone for a pillow and dreamed of angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. They told him that the land where he slept would be where his descendants will live. Jacob awoke and named the place Bethel. Jacob then met Rachel, (who I think was his cousin-once-removed or something) her father Laban. Jacob loves Rachel, so Jacob promises to work for seven years for Laban in exchange for marriage to her. However, Laban tricks Jacob and has him marry Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Laban explains that the custom in the area is to marry the older daughter before the younger one, so he had no other choice. Jacob agrees to work for Laban another seven years in exchange for marrying Rachel in addition to Leah. Jacob marries a few other women and has a bunch of children.
After Jacob has finished his work for Laban, God says that God has not left Jacob and God tells him to go back to the land of his fathers. Jacob does so secretly, taking his family, servants, and possessions (and some of Laban’s possessions) with him while Laban is out working. Rachel also takes some of her father’s idols. Laban follows them, but only wants to say goodbye. However, he wanted to know who stole his idols. He was unable to find them, and he makes a covenant with Jacob. Laban says goodbye and leaves.
Anyway, here’s this week’s d’var:
In this week’s parsha, Vayeitzei, Jacob is on the run after having stolen his brother’s blessing. He slept on a stone for a pillow and dreamed of angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. They told him that the land where he slept would be where his descendants will live. Jacob awoke and named the place Bethel. Jacob then met Rachel, (who I think was his cousin-once-removed or something) her father Laban. Jacob loves Rachel, so Jacob promises to work for seven years for Laban in exchange for marriage to her. However, Laban tricks Jacob and has him marry Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Laban explains that the custom in the area is to marry the older daughter before the younger one, so he had no other choice. Jacob agrees to work for Laban another seven years in exchange for marrying Rachel in addition to Leah. Jacob marries a few other women and has a bunch of children.
After Jacob has finished his work for Laban, God says that God has not left Jacob and God tells him to go back to the land of his fathers. Jacob does so secretly, taking his family, servants, and possessions (and some of Laban’s possessions) with him while Laban is out working. Rachel also takes some of her father’s idols. Laban follows them, but only wants to say goodbye. However, he wanted to know who stole his idols. He was unable to find them, and he makes a covenant with Jacob. Laban says goodbye and leaves.
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