From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, December 5, 6, 2025/15,16 Kislev 5786
Last week Torah portion was from Vayetze (Genesis 28:10-32:3)
The Haftarah (Hosea 12:13-14:10)
Last Sabbath in the Torah Jacob has the dream of a heavenly-ladder where he experienced the Presence of G-d. Jacob became a member of Laban’s family. Jacob marries Leah, older sister to Rachel, and works seven more years to marry Rachel. (He tricked his father Isaac, and Laban tricked Jacob to marry his older daughter, Leah first…that is why the bridegroom lifts up the bride’s veil!). Then Jacob’s flight from Laban.
Vayishlach begins with Jacob wrestling with aman-angel who changes his name to Israel (means “champion of g-d” and each Hebrew letter of Israel represents all the patriarchs’ and matriarchs’ names). Jacob and Esau meet and part peacefully. Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, is violated in Shechem and the plundering of the city. Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried near Bethlehem. Isaac dies and is buried in Hebron near his parents Abraham and Sarah. The listing of the genealogy for Jacob and Esau.
Some interesting insight from the Torah portion:
If one looks at the Hebrew (Genesis 33:4) “And Esau ran to meet him, and embrace him; and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they wept”, the Hebrew word VYESHKHO is marked with dots! Our ancestors had numerous encounters with various peoples and the “Orientals” kissed and were emotional when greeting loved ones. Knowing Esau from the commentary, Rashi and rabbis question this “KISS” as unusual and out of character for Esau. A midrash from the Talmud tells that G-d hardened Jacob’s neck because Esau was going to bite his brother’s neck and kill him. Instead G-d broke his TEETH when he tried to bite Jacob! The dots represent the teeth. Also, the Edomites were Israel’s fierce barbaric enemy and would never show such warmth and tenderness.
Esau brought 400 warriors, while Jacob had his children, wives, people, livestock, and more items leading, with him all the way in the back of the tribe. One of the many questions: Why did Jacob have everyone and animals before him? Was it to show how wealthy and how the tribe of Israel really was? Was Jacob showing strategy in this reconciliation (sending a delegation to represent him; humility, prayer, and gifts to reduce his brother’s hostility)? He has been praised by many scholars who are interpreters of the Torah.
Also notice the name changes…Jacob is used to show when he is weak (remember he followed his mother’s orders). Israel has donated strength since the wrestling episode, and that the name was given to him by G-d.
As the commemoration of Hanukkah nears, the Jewish people realize that they are blessed to practice their faith freely. Today, as one looks at our history and that the Jewish people live almost all over the world, we are stronger when we stand together.
May this Sabbath bring good health to all that are ill.
May this Sabbath bring each of us a full rest, energy, and happiness.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
