Va-Yigash: He Approached
In this week’s Parshah, Joseph made himself known to his brothers. Jacob comes down to Egypt and Joseph’s continues his administration over Egypt. Years pass, however, and ultimately all the Israelites become slave of the Egyptians.
The Parshah began when Joseph, who had hidden a silver goblet in Benjamin’s bag, agreed to allow his brothers to return to their father, Jacob, but demanded that Benjamin remain in Egypt as punishment for “stealing” the goblet. Judah approached Joseph and plead for his brother Benjamin. He explained to Joseph how heartbroken Jacob would be to learn that both sons by his beloved Rachel, were killed. Judah explained how Jacob believed Joseph had been killed by a wild beast, and would be devastated if ill-fate befell Benjamin.
Upon hearing this, Joseph could no longer control his emotions. He cried out that he was Joseph, their long-lost brother. The brothers were stunned. Joseph then explained to his brothers that G~d had sent them to him so that he, Joseph could provide them with food.
When Pharaoh heard this news, he, too, was glad and urged Joseph to send for Jacob and the entire family. Jacob was stunned to learn that Joseph was still alive. At first he did not believe that Joseph could still be alive. It wasn’t until he saw the wagons that Pharaoh had lent to assist with the move, that he allowed himself to believe Joseph was still alive.
Jacob went to make an offering to G~d and G~d spoke to him in a night vision telling him that Joseph was alive and that he should not fear the trek to Egypt.
Joseph went to meet his father in Goshen. Father and son had a joyous reunion and Jacob declared he could now die a happy man. Joseph told his father to tell Pharaoh that he was a breeder of herds and wished to live in the land of Goshen, which Pharaoh granted.
Jacob and his family settled in Goshen and soon other Israelites gathered there. The land was good to them and they became wealthy off the land. In addition, the families grew and became exceedingly great.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tevet
Tevet (טֵבֵת) is the fourth month of the civil calendar on the Hebrew calendar. It is a winter month with 29 days. The month of Tevet corresponds to late December-January on the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2011, Tevet began at sundown on December 27.
The final days of Chanukah are in Tevet. The 10th of Tevet is a fast day (Asara b’Tevet).
Other events that occurred in Tevet include:
8 Tevet 246 BCE: According to legend, Emperor Ptolemy gathered 72 Torah sages and ordered them to translate the Torah into Greek. Each sage independently translated the Torah, which became known as the Septuagint, meaning “70” for the 70 or so rabbis worked on the translation.
10 Tevet 588 BCE: Asara b’Tevet. This is a fast day to commemorate the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Emperor Nebuchadnezzar.
11 Tevet 1728: Descendants of the Spanish and Portuguese Sephardic Jews who first settled in New Amsterdam purchased a plot of land in what is now Lower Manhattan for the erection of the first synagogue of New York. This synagogue was called the Congregation Shearith Israel, meaning Remnant of Israel.
19 Tevet 1854: Judah Touro (1775 – 1854) died. Touro was a wealthy American Jewish philanthropist, who supported caused in New England (where the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island is located), as well as New Orleans.
20 Tevet 1204: Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as Maimonides or the Rambam, died. Maimonides was one of the greatest Jewish physicians and philosophers.
22 Tevet 1496: Jews were expelled from Portugal during the Inquisition.
24 Tevet 1852: Mount Sinai Hospital, the first Jewish hospital in America was founded in New York.
26 Tevet 1826: Maryland was a state that was founded as a haven for Catholics, thus the denial of Christianity was a capital crime under state law. Judaism was legalized in 1776, but until the laws were changed on 26 Tevet 1826, Jews were not allowed to hold public office.
The final days of Chanukah are in Tevet. The 10th of Tevet is a fast day (Asara b’Tevet).
Other events that occurred in Tevet include:
8 Tevet 246 BCE: According to legend, Emperor Ptolemy gathered 72 Torah sages and ordered them to translate the Torah into Greek. Each sage independently translated the Torah, which became known as the Septuagint, meaning “70” for the 70 or so rabbis worked on the translation.
10 Tevet 588 BCE: Asara b’Tevet. This is a fast day to commemorate the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Emperor Nebuchadnezzar.
11 Tevet 1728: Descendants of the Spanish and Portuguese Sephardic Jews who first settled in New Amsterdam purchased a plot of land in what is now Lower Manhattan for the erection of the first synagogue of New York. This synagogue was called the Congregation Shearith Israel, meaning Remnant of Israel.
19 Tevet 1854: Judah Touro (1775 – 1854) died. Touro was a wealthy American Jewish philanthropist, who supported caused in New England (where the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island is located), as well as New Orleans.
20 Tevet 1204: Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as Maimonides or the Rambam, died. Maimonides was one of the greatest Jewish physicians and philosophers.
22 Tevet 1496: Jews were expelled from Portugal during the Inquisition.
24 Tevet 1852: Mount Sinai Hospital, the first Jewish hospital in America was founded in New York.
26 Tevet 1826: Maryland was a state that was founded as a haven for Catholics, thus the denial of Christianity was a capital crime under state law. Judaism was legalized in 1776, but until the laws were changed on 26 Tevet 1826, Jews were not allowed to hold public office.
Mikeitz / Genesis 41:1 ~ 44:17
Mikeitz: At the End Of.
This Torah portion marks the end of Joseph's time in prison and concludes when his brothers stand before him for help.
Pharaoh has some rather disturbing dreams. He dreams that seven fat cows are standing on banks of the Nile when they are swallowed by seven thin cows. In another dream, seven healthy ears of grain are swallowed by seven thin grains. The cupbearer, whose dream had previously been interpreted by Joseph while in prison, remembered that Joseph could read dreams. He told Pharaoh, who then summoned Joseph.
Joseph informed Pharaoh that the dreams foretold seven years of feast followed by seven years of famine. Joseph also convinced Pharaoh to hire him to administer the land of Egypt, so that people could store supplies to survive the seven years of famine. Pharaoh appoints Joseph as the prime administrator and gives him the name Zafenath-paneah, which is Egyptian for "G~d speaks and lives." Joseph is also married to Asenath, Joseph and Asenath have two sons ~ Manasseh and Ephraim.
When the famine years begin, it is as harsh in Egypt as it is in Canaan. Egypt, however, is ready for the famine, where as Canaan is not. Jacob sends his sons , with the exception of Benjamin, to Egypt to procure food. The brothers are brought to Joseph, who recognizes his brothers, although they do not recognize him. Joseph uses his knowledge to deceive his brothers. First, he accuses them of being spies and imprisons them. Joseph tells them that to prove their innocence, they must bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. The brothers realize that they are being punished for their previous treatment of Joseph. Finally, Joseph allows the brothers to return for Benjamin, provided that one brother remain in prison. Simeon remains in Egypt, while the other brothers return to Jacob, each carrying a sack of grain.
Jacob is reluctant to let Benjamin go to Egypt, but is finally forced to let him go due to the severity of the famine in Canaan. When the brothers return to Joseph with Benjamin, Joseph brings them into his house and prepares a huge feast. Once again, however, Joseph decides to test his brothers.
Joseph has a silver goblet hidden in Benjamin's sack of grain, before the brothers set off for Canaan. After they begin their return journey, Joseph has his soldiers run after them to accuse them of stealing the cup. The soldiers search the sacks of grain and discover the silver cup that Joseph has hidden in Benjamin's sack. Benjamin is caught and Joseph threatens to throw him in jail. Judah, however, steps up to plead on behalf of Benjamin.
In the year 2011, this Torah Portion fell on December 24.
This Torah portion marks the end of Joseph's time in prison and concludes when his brothers stand before him for help.
Pharaoh has some rather disturbing dreams. He dreams that seven fat cows are standing on banks of the Nile when they are swallowed by seven thin cows. In another dream, seven healthy ears of grain are swallowed by seven thin grains. The cupbearer, whose dream had previously been interpreted by Joseph while in prison, remembered that Joseph could read dreams. He told Pharaoh, who then summoned Joseph.
Joseph informed Pharaoh that the dreams foretold seven years of feast followed by seven years of famine. Joseph also convinced Pharaoh to hire him to administer the land of Egypt, so that people could store supplies to survive the seven years of famine. Pharaoh appoints Joseph as the prime administrator and gives him the name Zafenath-paneah, which is Egyptian for "G~d speaks and lives." Joseph is also married to Asenath, Joseph and Asenath have two sons ~ Manasseh and Ephraim.
When the famine years begin, it is as harsh in Egypt as it is in Canaan. Egypt, however, is ready for the famine, where as Canaan is not. Jacob sends his sons , with the exception of Benjamin, to Egypt to procure food. The brothers are brought to Joseph, who recognizes his brothers, although they do not recognize him. Joseph uses his knowledge to deceive his brothers. First, he accuses them of being spies and imprisons them. Joseph tells them that to prove their innocence, they must bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. The brothers realize that they are being punished for their previous treatment of Joseph. Finally, Joseph allows the brothers to return for Benjamin, provided that one brother remain in prison. Simeon remains in Egypt, while the other brothers return to Jacob, each carrying a sack of grain.
Jacob is reluctant to let Benjamin go to Egypt, but is finally forced to let him go due to the severity of the famine in Canaan. When the brothers return to Joseph with Benjamin, Joseph brings them into his house and prepares a huge feast. Once again, however, Joseph decides to test his brothers.
Joseph has a silver goblet hidden in Benjamin's sack of grain, before the brothers set off for Canaan. After they begin their return journey, Joseph has his soldiers run after them to accuse them of stealing the cup. The soldiers search the sacks of grain and discover the silver cup that Joseph has hidden in Benjamin's sack. Benjamin is caught and Joseph threatens to throw him in jail. Judah, however, steps up to plead on behalf of Benjamin.
In the year 2011, this Torah Portion fell on December 24.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Va-Yeishev / Genesis 37:1 ~ 40:23
Va-Yeishev: He Dwelt
This week’s Parshah (וַיֵּשֶׁב) tells the story of Jacob and his family; how Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, was sold into slavery in Egypt; how Judah wronged his daughter-in-law; and how Joseph was thrown in prison in Egypt after being falsely accused of accosting Potiphar’s wife.
Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons and bestowed many gifts upon him, including the infamous coat of many colors. Joseph’s brothers were envious of him. Joseph had a knack for interpreting dreams. Once, Joseph had a dream in which he and his brothers were in the field binding sheaves and all the brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his sheaf. In another dream, the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed down to Joseph. Joseph told his family that this meant they would all be bowing down to him one day.
The brothers conspired to kill Joseph and tell Jacob that a wild beast had devoured him. Reuben, however, persuaded his brothers not to kill Joseph, but to throw him into a pit and rescue him later. Joseph’s brothers took his coat of many colors and threw him in a pit. Soon, soon traveling Ishmaelites came by. Judah convinced his brothers to sell Joseph to the traveling merchants came by. Joseph was sold and brought to Egypt, where he became enslaved to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard.
This transpired without Reuben’s knowledge. Reuben was quite upset when he learned that Joseph was no longer in his custody. The brothers took Joseph’s coat of many colors and dipped it in goat’s blood. They brought it to Jacob, who recognized it as his beloved son’s garment. Jacob was grieved, believing at his son had been killed by a wild beast. Jacob could not be consoled by the lost of his beloved son.
The narrative then takes a turn and focuses on Judah. Judah had married the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua. He and his wife had three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Er was supposed to marry Tamar, but because Er was a wicked man, G~d had him killed. Under existing law, the next son was supposed to step in and perform a brother’s duty and have children with Tamar in Er’s name. Knowning that any children born of this union would not be considered his, Onan “spilled his seed” and G~d killed him. Judah told Tamar that she could remain as a widow in his house until his youngest son was of a marriageable age. Judah, however, had no intention of letting his youngest son marry Tamar.
One day after Shelah had grown and his wife had died, Judah went to Timnah. Tamar took off her widow’s robes and put on a veil and sat by the road waiting for Judah. Judah, thinking she was a harlot, offered Tamar a goat for her services. He gave Tamar his signet ring and staff as a pledge for payment. He lay with her and she conceived.
Jacob later learned that Tamar had played the harlot and become pregnant. He ordered her to be burned. She still held the signet ring and staff, however, and presented them to Jacob, saying that they belong to the father of her child. Judah acknowledged the items as his and spared her life, noting that she was more righteous than he was because he had failed to give her his youngest son in marriage.
In keeping with the motif of Genesis, Tamar gave birth to twin boys. One baby put a hand out and the midwife tied a red string around his wrist. He drew his hand back in and his brother ultimately was born first.
The narrative again turned to Joseph and his work with Potiphar. Joseph was very handsome and Potiphar’s wife continually tried to get him to sleep with her. He was not interested. One day, however, she pulled off his garment, even though he fled. When Potiphar returned home, his wife held up Joseph’s clothing and accused Joseph of rape. Potipher had Joseph thrown into prison.
Two of Joseph’s cell mates were also the Pharoah’s butler and baker. Each of them had dreams, which they asked Joseph to interpret. The butler’s dream foretold of his release from prison. The baker’s dream foretold of his demise. Joseph asked the butler to let Pharaoh know of his ability to interpret dreams. Unfortunately, once the butler had been freed, he forgot about Joseph.
This week’s Parshah (וַיֵּשֶׁב) tells the story of Jacob and his family; how Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, was sold into slavery in Egypt; how Judah wronged his daughter-in-law; and how Joseph was thrown in prison in Egypt after being falsely accused of accosting Potiphar’s wife.
Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons and bestowed many gifts upon him, including the infamous coat of many colors. Joseph’s brothers were envious of him. Joseph had a knack for interpreting dreams. Once, Joseph had a dream in which he and his brothers were in the field binding sheaves and all the brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his sheaf. In another dream, the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed down to Joseph. Joseph told his family that this meant they would all be bowing down to him one day.
The brothers conspired to kill Joseph and tell Jacob that a wild beast had devoured him. Reuben, however, persuaded his brothers not to kill Joseph, but to throw him into a pit and rescue him later. Joseph’s brothers took his coat of many colors and threw him in a pit. Soon, soon traveling Ishmaelites came by. Judah convinced his brothers to sell Joseph to the traveling merchants came by. Joseph was sold and brought to Egypt, where he became enslaved to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard.
This transpired without Reuben’s knowledge. Reuben was quite upset when he learned that Joseph was no longer in his custody. The brothers took Joseph’s coat of many colors and dipped it in goat’s blood. They brought it to Jacob, who recognized it as his beloved son’s garment. Jacob was grieved, believing at his son had been killed by a wild beast. Jacob could not be consoled by the lost of his beloved son.
The narrative then takes a turn and focuses on Judah. Judah had married the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua. He and his wife had three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Er was supposed to marry Tamar, but because Er was a wicked man, G~d had him killed. Under existing law, the next son was supposed to step in and perform a brother’s duty and have children with Tamar in Er’s name. Knowning that any children born of this union would not be considered his, Onan “spilled his seed” and G~d killed him. Judah told Tamar that she could remain as a widow in his house until his youngest son was of a marriageable age. Judah, however, had no intention of letting his youngest son marry Tamar.
One day after Shelah had grown and his wife had died, Judah went to Timnah. Tamar took off her widow’s robes and put on a veil and sat by the road waiting for Judah. Judah, thinking she was a harlot, offered Tamar a goat for her services. He gave Tamar his signet ring and staff as a pledge for payment. He lay with her and she conceived.
Jacob later learned that Tamar had played the harlot and become pregnant. He ordered her to be burned. She still held the signet ring and staff, however, and presented them to Jacob, saying that they belong to the father of her child. Judah acknowledged the items as his and spared her life, noting that she was more righteous than he was because he had failed to give her his youngest son in marriage.
In keeping with the motif of Genesis, Tamar gave birth to twin boys. One baby put a hand out and the midwife tied a red string around his wrist. He drew his hand back in and his brother ultimately was born first.
The narrative again turned to Joseph and his work with Potiphar. Joseph was very handsome and Potiphar’s wife continually tried to get him to sleep with her. He was not interested. One day, however, she pulled off his garment, even though he fled. When Potiphar returned home, his wife held up Joseph’s clothing and accused Joseph of rape. Potipher had Joseph thrown into prison.
Two of Joseph’s cell mates were also the Pharoah’s butler and baker. Each of them had dreams, which they asked Joseph to interpret. The butler’s dream foretold of his release from prison. The baker’s dream foretold of his demise. Joseph asked the butler to let Pharaoh know of his ability to interpret dreams. Unfortunately, once the butler had been freed, he forgot about Joseph.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Va-Yishlach / Genesis 34:4 ~ 36:43
Va-Yishlach: He Sent
In this week’s parshah (וַיִּשְׁלַח), Jacob reconciled with his brother, Esau. He also wrestled with G~d in the middle of the night. Dinah may have been abducted by Shechem and her brothers took revenge by killing all the residents of the city, forcing the family to flee. Along the way, Rachel gave birth to her second son, Benjamin, but died in childbirth.
Jacob was very apprehensive about reuniting with his brother, Esau. He sent out messengers to alert Esau that he was returning home. The messengers reported that Esau was coming to meet Jacob with a force of 400 men. This scared Jacob, fearing that his brother was out for revenge for his behavior many years earlier. Jacob divided his camp in two, thinking that if Esau was out to destroy him, only half of his family and camp would be harmed.
Jacob further gathered his flock of goats, sheep, cattle and camels and prepared to present them to Esau as a gift. While some of his messengers brought the animals to Easu, Jacob spent a night alone praying. During the night, he wrestled with an angel. As dawn was about to break, and Jacob appeared to be winning the fight, the angel touched Jacob’s thigh and strained it. The angel then asked Jacob to let him go, but Jacob replied that he needed a blessing first. The angel blessed Jacob, after telling him that he was being given the new name of Israel, because he had fight with god and prevailed. To this day, Jews do not eat the sinew of the vein that is in the leg of an animal because this is where the angel had touched Jacob’s thigh.
When Esau and Jacob finally met, Esau ran to Jacob and hugged and kissed him. Esau seemed genuinely glad to see his brother. He told Jacob that the gift of livestock was not necessary, but Jacob convinced him to take them anyway. Esau suggested that the two brothers and families travel together, but Jacob said he had young children who would slow down the travel and sent Esau on his way, promising to meet up with him later. Once again, however, Jacob deceived his brother and traveled in a different direction. This is the last we see of Esau.
Jacob settled in Shechem and purchased land outside the city gates. Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob who is named, began a friendship with the women of Shechem. She caught the eye of Shechem and may have forced himself on her. As was the custom at the time. a rapist was forced to marry his victim, although the text hints that this was actually a love match. Shechem’s father approached Jacob to arrange a marriage between Dinah and his son. Jacob appears to have been willing, but Dinah’s brothers were grieved and became very angry.
When Shechem promised to give Jacob and Dinah’s brothers whatever they asked for as a bride price because he so lived Dinah. Dinah’s brothers, however, had no intention of letting their sister marry Shechem, so said that Shechem could marry Dinah only if he, and all the men of his land, would agree to become circumcised. Perhaps the brothers thought that Shechem would refuse this price. Instead, Shechem eagerly agreed.
All the men of the town underwent circumcision. On the third day, when the men were in the most pain from the procedure, Simeon and Levi entered the city and killed all the men and brought their sister home. The brothers then looted the city, stealing the women, children, animals and wealth.
Jacob became frightened by what his sons had done. G~d told Jacob to move his family. During their travels, Rachel went into labor with her son, Benjamin. Her labor was difficult and she died in childbirth.
Jacob met with his father, Isaac in Hebron. Isaac died at the old age of 180 and was buried by his sons, Esau and Jacob.
In this week’s parshah (וַיִּשְׁלַח), Jacob reconciled with his brother, Esau. He also wrestled with G~d in the middle of the night. Dinah may have been abducted by Shechem and her brothers took revenge by killing all the residents of the city, forcing the family to flee. Along the way, Rachel gave birth to her second son, Benjamin, but died in childbirth.
Jacob was very apprehensive about reuniting with his brother, Esau. He sent out messengers to alert Esau that he was returning home. The messengers reported that Esau was coming to meet Jacob with a force of 400 men. This scared Jacob, fearing that his brother was out for revenge for his behavior many years earlier. Jacob divided his camp in two, thinking that if Esau was out to destroy him, only half of his family and camp would be harmed.
Jacob further gathered his flock of goats, sheep, cattle and camels and prepared to present them to Esau as a gift. While some of his messengers brought the animals to Easu, Jacob spent a night alone praying. During the night, he wrestled with an angel. As dawn was about to break, and Jacob appeared to be winning the fight, the angel touched Jacob’s thigh and strained it. The angel then asked Jacob to let him go, but Jacob replied that he needed a blessing first. The angel blessed Jacob, after telling him that he was being given the new name of Israel, because he had fight with god and prevailed. To this day, Jews do not eat the sinew of the vein that is in the leg of an animal because this is where the angel had touched Jacob’s thigh.
When Esau and Jacob finally met, Esau ran to Jacob and hugged and kissed him. Esau seemed genuinely glad to see his brother. He told Jacob that the gift of livestock was not necessary, but Jacob convinced him to take them anyway. Esau suggested that the two brothers and families travel together, but Jacob said he had young children who would slow down the travel and sent Esau on his way, promising to meet up with him later. Once again, however, Jacob deceived his brother and traveled in a different direction. This is the last we see of Esau.
Jacob settled in Shechem and purchased land outside the city gates. Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob who is named, began a friendship with the women of Shechem. She caught the eye of Shechem and may have forced himself on her. As was the custom at the time. a rapist was forced to marry his victim, although the text hints that this was actually a love match. Shechem’s father approached Jacob to arrange a marriage between Dinah and his son. Jacob appears to have been willing, but Dinah’s brothers were grieved and became very angry.
When Shechem promised to give Jacob and Dinah’s brothers whatever they asked for as a bride price because he so lived Dinah. Dinah’s brothers, however, had no intention of letting their sister marry Shechem, so said that Shechem could marry Dinah only if he, and all the men of his land, would agree to become circumcised. Perhaps the brothers thought that Shechem would refuse this price. Instead, Shechem eagerly agreed.
All the men of the town underwent circumcision. On the third day, when the men were in the most pain from the procedure, Simeon and Levi entered the city and killed all the men and brought their sister home. The brothers then looted the city, stealing the women, children, animals and wealth.
Jacob became frightened by what his sons had done. G~d told Jacob to move his family. During their travels, Rachel went into labor with her son, Benjamin. Her labor was difficult and she died in childbirth.
Jacob met with his father, Isaac in Hebron. Isaac died at the old age of 180 and was buried by his sons, Esau and Jacob.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Va-Yeitzei / Genesis 28:10 ~ 32:3
Va-Yeitzei: He Went Out
This parsha tells the story of Jacob’s exile and return from Haran, where he had been living with his uncle, Laban. Jacob’s had his famous dream of the ladder to heaven in this parsha. He also fell in love with Rachel and agreed to work for 7 years in order to gain her hand. His uncle, however, deceived him, and instead of marrying Rachel, Jacob was tricked into marrying her sister, Leah. Jacob worked another 7 years so he could marry Rachel. The parsha ends with Jacob taking his family and returning to the home of his birth.
On his way to Haran, Jacob stopped for the night, laying his head on a stone for a pillow. During the night, he had a dream in which he saw a ladder reaching to heaven. Angels were going up and down the ladder. In his dream, G~d appeared to him and promised that his descendants would be granted the land on which he lay sleeping. When Jacob awoke, he named the place Beth-el, which means House of G~d.
As Jacob approached the land of his mother’s birth, he came upon a well. Rachel was at the well to draw water for her family’s flock. This was their first meeting and Jacob fell in love with her at first sight. Laban welcomed Jacob into his family. Jacob offered to work for Laban to gain Rachel’s hand. After working for seven years, Jacob asked Laban, a wedding was planned. Rachel, however, was the younger daughter, so Laban deceived Jacob into marrying his older daughter, Leah. Jacob was forced to work another seven years so he could marry Rachel. When Jacob married Leah, Laban gave his daughter Zilpah to be her handmaiden. Upon Rachel’s marriage to Jacob, she was given Bilhah as her handmaiden, thus Jacob’s family consisted of his two wives and their handmaidens.
Jacob favored Rachel over Leah, so G~d allowed Leah to bear many children, which Rachel remained barren. Leah’s children were: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. She also bore a daughter, Dinah. Rachel envied her sister for being fruitful, so gave Jacob her handmaiden, Bilhah, to be her surrogate. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons: Dan and Naphtali. Leah, too, offered Jacob her handmaiden, Zilpah who bore two sons: Gad and Asher. Finally, after many years, Rachel conceived and bore a son she named Joseph.
By now, Jacob had lived with Laban and his family for many years. He asked Laban to be allowed to take his household and return to his own country. Laban was reluctant, but ultimately agreed. He also agreed to allow Jacob to take certain identifiable sheep from his flock. Jacob, through his expertise in animal husbandry, manipulated the stock, so that those Laban promised him would be great in number.
Ultimately, however, Laban lets Jacob and his family return to the land of Jacob’s birth.
This parsha tells the story of Jacob’s exile and return from Haran, where he had been living with his uncle, Laban. Jacob’s had his famous dream of the ladder to heaven in this parsha. He also fell in love with Rachel and agreed to work for 7 years in order to gain her hand. His uncle, however, deceived him, and instead of marrying Rachel, Jacob was tricked into marrying her sister, Leah. Jacob worked another 7 years so he could marry Rachel. The parsha ends with Jacob taking his family and returning to the home of his birth.
On his way to Haran, Jacob stopped for the night, laying his head on a stone for a pillow. During the night, he had a dream in which he saw a ladder reaching to heaven. Angels were going up and down the ladder. In his dream, G~d appeared to him and promised that his descendants would be granted the land on which he lay sleeping. When Jacob awoke, he named the place Beth-el, which means House of G~d.
As Jacob approached the land of his mother’s birth, he came upon a well. Rachel was at the well to draw water for her family’s flock. This was their first meeting and Jacob fell in love with her at first sight. Laban welcomed Jacob into his family. Jacob offered to work for Laban to gain Rachel’s hand. After working for seven years, Jacob asked Laban, a wedding was planned. Rachel, however, was the younger daughter, so Laban deceived Jacob into marrying his older daughter, Leah. Jacob was forced to work another seven years so he could marry Rachel. When Jacob married Leah, Laban gave his daughter Zilpah to be her handmaiden. Upon Rachel’s marriage to Jacob, she was given Bilhah as her handmaiden, thus Jacob’s family consisted of his two wives and their handmaidens.
Jacob favored Rachel over Leah, so G~d allowed Leah to bear many children, which Rachel remained barren. Leah’s children were: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. She also bore a daughter, Dinah. Rachel envied her sister for being fruitful, so gave Jacob her handmaiden, Bilhah, to be her surrogate. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons: Dan and Naphtali. Leah, too, offered Jacob her handmaiden, Zilpah who bore two sons: Gad and Asher. Finally, after many years, Rachel conceived and bore a son she named Joseph.
By now, Jacob had lived with Laban and his family for many years. He asked Laban to be allowed to take his household and return to his own country. Laban was reluctant, but ultimately agreed. He also agreed to allow Jacob to take certain identifiable sheep from his flock. Jacob, through his expertise in animal husbandry, manipulated the stock, so that those Laban promised him would be great in number.
Ultimately, however, Laban lets Jacob and his family return to the land of Jacob’s birth.
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