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Most often, readers of the portion Vayishlach focus on the encounter between Jacob and Esau near the river Jabbok. For good reason!
When you ask any of our students or even their parents what they remember about Jacob, they may tell you about how he deceived Isaac to obtain Esau's birthright.
Parashah Overview
Our father Jacob is a man in motion. Even in the womb, he struggled to get out. Of all the patriarchs, we know him best. We've followed the ups and downs in his life.
Our Torah portion begins with Jacob's seeking to find ways to make peace with his brother, Esau. After all, Jacob knows that he attained his status through trickery and by deceiving Isaac.
Focal Point
On the eve of my own exciting, uncertain journey, I sit down to write about the journeys of our ancestors in the Torah portion Vayishlach.
This year, we in the United States read Parashat Vayishlach on the weekend of Thanksgiving.
Focal Point
The rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) is one of the most disturbing stories in the entire Tanach.
Difficult stories do raise questions. Some that are familiar to us today from the Dinah/Shechem incident include: Where is Dinah in this story?
Toward the end of my comments on Parashat Vayeitzei, I noted that the collator of the Genesis stories had before him a real challenge.
Just as we did not expect a wrestling match would give way to a nation, neither did we expect it to be the source of the name for that nation. Dr.
Because we know how it ends, we may not feel the suspense as Parashat Vayishlach opens. Jacob prepares to return home and confront his estranged brother, Esau, after 20 years apart.
Rabbi Segal highlights the tension and anxiety likely felt by both brothers prior to their dramatic encounter.
Jacob, the ancestor for whom the entire people Israel comes to be named, turns out to be a pretty divisive character.
Rabbi Pankin, in his d'var Torah, writes eloquently about the concept of division that is inexorably linked with the Yaakov/Yisrael narrative.
At the beginning of the Passover seder, the youngest person asks the Four Questions. Here's a handy guide to the questions in English and Hebrew, with a downloadable melody and printable version.
Don't be overwhelmed by hosting your own seder. Use this handy checklist to help you prepare!
A rabbi shares his personal experience of finding his spiritual home.
Learn the blessing for placing a mezuzah on the doorposts of your house.
If you're curious about Judaism, thinking of converting, or know someone who is, here are some excellent resources to learn more about Judaism.
The Eternal One spoke to Moses after the death the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew too close to the presence of the Eternal. - Leviticus 16:1
Want to explore Reform Judaism but have no in-person opportunities to study? This class is for you! Register now.
There's a deep relationship between Judaism and social action.
Learn why Anat Hoffman fights for women's rights in Israeli society.
Mattan loves his homeland while disagreeing with its government.
The artwork on this note card was created by 5768 WRJ Art Calendar artist Césan d’Ornellas Levine.
$7.50/pack
Show your WRJ pride with this zippered canvas bag. Features the phrase "Well-behaved women rarely make history" and the WRJ logo.
$18 $15
