Va-Yishlach / Genesis 32:4 ~ 36:43

Va-Yishlach: He Sent

There are three major themes in this week's Torah portion: (A) Jacob reunites with his brother, Esau; (B) Dinah and Shechem; and (C) the Family of Jacob.

The Torah portion begins with Jacob preparing to meet his brother. When they were last together, Esau had threatened to kill Jacob, so Jacob was obviously concerned about their meeting. Jacob sent out servants who returned with information that Esau was coming with 400 men. Jacob feared that his brother was coming armed with war, so he divided his group into two camps. In addition, he sent a large selection of animals from his herds as an appeasement gift to Esau.

Before meeting his brother, Jacob spent the night at the River Jabbok where he wrestles with a mysterious being. Jacob's hip is wrenched from its socket. Jacob, however, refuses to let go of this being until he receives a blessing. The being gives Jacob a new name, Israel, saying "you have struggled with G~d and with human beings, and you have prevailed. From this day forward, Jacob had a limp. It is also the reason why the meat of an animal around the sciatic nerve is not eaten.

Jacob and his brother meet in peace. Instead of joining forces, however, Jacob and Esau part ways. Jacob journeys to Shechem where he purchases some property.

Dinah, daughter of Leah and Jacob, visits with the local women. She catches the eye of Shechem, son of Hamor, the local prince. He grabbed her and they had sex. Shechem falls in love with Dinah and wants to marry her. Dinah's brother's react violently. They tell Shechem that he may marry Dinah only if he agrees to become circumcised. Shechem agrees, and all the men of the city are circumcised. While they are recovering from their surgery, Dinah's full brothers, Simeon and Levi conspire to kill all the men of Shechem and capture all the women and children.

When Jacob learns what his sons have done, he is angry. He moves his family to Bethel. Rachel struggles and dies giving birth to Benjamin. Isaac dies at the age of 180 and Esau and Jacob/Israel bury him. The Torah portion ends with the genealogy of Esau.