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Vayeitzei – וַיֵּצֵא (Genesis 28:10−32:3)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeitzei – וַיֵּצֵא (Genesis 28:10−32:3)

“Surely יהוה is present in this place, and I did not know it!” (Genesis 28:16). We can only learn and acquire knowledge when we realize we do not know. When we think we are smart and know it all, we are ignorant and not very smart.

Parsha Vayeitzei – וַיֵּצֵא Torah 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) Vayeitzei – וַיֵּצֵא “Surely יהוה is present in this place, and I did not know it!” (Genesis 28:16). We can only learn and acquire knowledge when we realize we do not know. When we think we are smart and know it all, we are ignorant and not very smart.

Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת (Genesis 25:19−28:9)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת (Genesis 25:19−28:9)

Rebecca is the first person in the world to demand / inquire of God. She is suffering and she demands an explanation. Jews do not suffer quietly, we kvetch, we want to understand why, and we inquire and demand. It all starts with Rebecca.

Parsha Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת Torah Summary:

Rebekah has twins, Esau and Jacob. (25:19-26) Esau gives Jacob his birthright in exchange for some stew. (25:27-34) King Abimelech is led to think that Rebekah is Isaac’s sister and later finds out that she is really his wife. (26:1-16) Isaac plans to bless Esau, his firstborn. Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing. (27:1-29) Esau threatens to kill Jacob, who then flees to Haran. (27:30-45) Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת Rebecca is the first person in the world to demand / inquire of God. She is suffering and she demands an explanation. Jews do not suffer quietly, we kvetch, we want to understand why, and we inquire and demand. It all starts with Rebecca.

Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה (Genesis 23:1−25:18)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה (Genesis 23:1−25:18)

What is the most important quality in a person? What is the most important thing you would look for in a partner / spouse?

Abraham is looking for a wife for Isaac. The only thing that seems to be important in the search, is a person of “Hesed” loving kindness, caring and compassion. That is the only thing that matters.

Parsha Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה Torah Summary:

Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah in order to bury his wife Sarah. (23:1-20) Abraham sends his servant to find a bride for Isaac. (24:1-9) Rebekah shows her kindness by offering to draw water for the servant’s camels at the well. (24:15-20) The servant meets Rebekah’s family and then takes Rebekah to Isaac, who marries her. (24:23-67) Abraham takes another wife, named Keturah. At the age of one hundred and seventy-five years, Abraham dies, and Isaac and Ishmael bury him in the cave of Machpelah. (25:1-11) Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה What is the most important quality in a person? What is the most important thing you would look for in a partner / spouse? Abraham is looking for a wife for Isaac. The only thing that seems to be important in the search, is a person of “Hesed” loving kindness, caring and compassion. That is the only thing that matters.

Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא (Genesis 18:1–22:24)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא (Genesis 18:1–22:24)

וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם׃
Then Adonai appeared to Abraham under the trees of Mamre, as he was sitting at the entrance to his tent, during the heat of the day… (Genesis 18:1)

Experiencing the divine isn’t always about searching and doing; sometimes we can find the most powerful spiritual experiences by taking a moment for ourselves and just being, instead of doing! 

Parsha Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא Torah Summary:

Abraham welcomes three visitors, who announce that Sarah will soon have a son. (18:1-15) Abraham argues with God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (18:16-33) Lot’s home is attacked by the people of Sodom. Lot and his two daughters escape as the cities are being destroyed. Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt. (19:1-29) Lot impregnates his daughters, and they bear children who become the founders of the nations Moab and Ammon. (19:30-38) Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah as his wife after Abraham claims that she is his sister. (20:1-18) Isaac is born, circumcised, and weaned. Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are sent away; an angel saves their lives. (21:1-21) God tests Abraham, instructing him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. (22:1-19) Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם׃ Then Adonai appeared to Abraham under the trees of Mamre, as he was sitting at the entrance to his tent, during the heat of the day… (Genesis 18:1) Experiencing the divine isn’t always about searching and doing; sometimes we can find the most powerful spiritual experiences by taking a moment for ourselves and just being, instead of doing!