Vayeitzei

When Is Vayeitzei Read?

November 29, 2025 / 9 Kislev 5786

November 21, 2026 / 11 Kislev 5787

December 11, 2027 / 11 Kislev 5788

Summary

Jacob dreams of angels going up and down a ladder. God blesses him. Jacob names the place Bethel. (28:10-22)
Jacob works seven years in order to marry Rachel, but Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah, Rachel's older sister. (29:16-25)
Jacob marries Rachel but only after having to commit himself to seven more years of working for Laban. (29:26-30)
Leah, Rachel, and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah, give birth to eleven sons and one daughter. (29:31-30:24)
Jacob and his family leave Laban's household with great wealth. (31:1-32:3)

Ten Minutes of Torah: Vayeitzei Commentary

Photo of a woman praying at the Western Wall

God of Leah

By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler

There is reason to argue, however, that Hannah is not actually the first biblical woman to pray: that this female spiritual path maker is actually our foremother Leah, as seen in this week's Torah portion of Vayeitzei.

More Vayeitzei Commentaries

Growth Requires Truth

God’s Favorites

Inspirational Leadership

The Power of Our Dreams, Both Asleep and Awake

Soul-Making: Living in the Peaks, the Valleys, and Everything in Between

A Divine Moment When Heaven and Earth Touch

How Can We Avoid Conflict Among Siblings?

But Wait, There’s More!

Vayeitzei for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps

A Strong Ladder to Spiritual Awareness

Video: Learn More on Parashat Vayeitzei with Bim Bam

Vayietze Bim Bam

In this week's Torah portion, meet Jacob's family...and pay attention: there's a lot of members. Count yourself lucky - you've got expert Esther Kustanowitz helping you keep score in a soap opera of, well, biblical proportions. Enjoy this video and others with Bim Bam.