by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 15, 2015 | The Portion of Vayeitzei
After receiving his parents’ blessings to go seek a wife among his mother’s relatives, Jacob leaves his home in Beersheba and heads in the direction of Haran. Along the way, he stops to rest, dreaming that night of a tall ladder reaching up to the heavens. In his...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 15, 2015 | The Portion of Vayeitzei
As Jacob’s wealth increases, Laban’s sons become jealous of their cousin. Jacob realizes the climate is turning against him and tells his wives it is time to leave, with or without Laban’s permission. Through his conversation with them, we learn that Laban has changed...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 15, 2015 | The Portion of Vayeitzei
God is acutely aware of Jacob’s preference for Rachel over Leah, and thus grants Leah children first. With the birth and naming of each child, Leah’s hope for her husband’s affection is evident. Reuben, meaning “See — a son!”, Simeon, meaning “God has heard”,...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 15, 2015 | The Portion of Vayeitzei
With the birth of Joseph, Jacob decides the time has come to return to his homeland. The Israel Bible explains that according to a verse in Obadiah (1:18), Joseph is compared to a flame and Esau to “a house of straw”. Thus, once the “flame” destined to combat Esau is...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 15, 2015 | The Portion of Vayeitzei
Jacob turns eastward, towards his uncle’s home-town. There he encounters a group of shepherds gathering to water their sheep. He comments that the day is yet young, asking why they are waiting at the well rather than watering their sheep and moving on. The shepherds...
