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Sh’mot (Genesis 47:28-50:26)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’mot (Exodus 1:1−6:1)

“We are family (Hey, y’all)
I got all my siblings with me …”

In Genesis, we were a family. In Exodus, we are called for the first time a People. No longer just a family, we became a Nation.
From the beginning of our story, with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation” to the first time we are called a People, being Jewish is much more than a faith and a religion. Being Jewish is being part of a people, part of the people of Israel.

Sh’mot Summary:

The new king of Egypt makes slaves of the Hebrews and orders their male children to be drowned in the Nile River. (1:1-22)
A Levite woman places her son, Moses, in a basket on the Nile, where he is found by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in Pharaoh’s house. (2:1-10)
Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian. (2:11-15)
Moses marries Zipporah, the daughter of Midian’s priest. They have a son named Gershom. (2:16-22)
God calls Moses from a burning bush and commissions him to free the Israelites from Egypt. (3:1-4:17)
Moses and Aaron request permission from Pharaoh for the Israelites to celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh refuses and makes life even harder for the Israelites. (5:1-23)

This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’mot (Exodus 1:1−6:1)

“We are family (Hey, y’all)
I got all my siblings with me …”

In Genesis, we were a family. In Exodus, we are called for the first time a People. No longer just a family, we became a Nation.
From the beginning of our story, with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation” to the first time we are called a People, being Jewish is much more than a faith and a religion. Being Jewish is being part of a people, part of the people of Israel.

The new king of Egypt makes slaves of the Hebrews and orders their male children to be drowned in the Nile River. (1:1-22)
A Levite woman places her son, Moses, in a basket on the Nile, where he is found by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in Pharaoh’s house. (2:1-10)
Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian. (2:11-15)
Moses marries Zipporah, the daughter of Midian’s priest. They have a son named Gershom. (2:16-22)
God calls Moses from a burning bush and commissions him to free the Israelites from Egypt. (3:1-4:17)
Moses and Aaron request permission from Pharaoh for the Israelites to celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh refuses and makes life even harder for the Israelites. (5:1-23)

Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)

This week’s Torah Portion marks the end of the tales of Genesis, the legendary tales of the legendary lives of our ancestors from long ago: Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob, Rachel, and Leah; and finally Joseph. And while their lives were far from perfect, each in their own way displayed the courage, faith, determination, and wisdom to do more than just survive, but to fulfill their destiny as the ancestor of a people, our people, numbering like the stars in the sky and the sands of the sea.

We are the children of a hundred generations of our people, the descendants of greater ancestors than perhaps any of us can imagine ourselves to be. And yet, more importantly, we are and will be the ancestors which generations to come will look back upon as the builders and shapers of the world they will inhabit, for better and for worse, for blessing or for curse. Let us be good ancestors for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations yet to be.

Vayechi Summary:

Jacob blesses his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh. (48:1-20)
Jacob’s twelve sons gather around his deathbed, and each receives an evaluation and a prediction of his future. (49:1-33)
Joseph mourns his father’s death and has Jacob embalmed. Jacob is buried in Hebron in the cave of the field of the Machpelah in the land of Canaan. (50:1-14)
Joseph assures his concerned brothers that he has forgiven them and promises to care for them and their families. (50:15-21)
Just before he dies, Joseph tells his brothers that God will return them to the Land that God promised to the patriarchs. The Children of Israel promise Joseph that they will take his bones with them when they leave Egypt. (50:22-26)

Vayigash (Genesis 44:18−47:27)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayigash (Genesis 44:18−47:27)

Here in Parashat Vayigash, Joseph stands at a crossroads and the entire history of the Jewish people stands in the balance. What path will he choose? Joseph’s brothers stand before him, the same brothers who had thrown him into a pit and sold him into slavery in Egypt. Many years have passed and despite all odds, Joseph stands now as second only to Pharaoh.

And now his brothers stand before him, not recognizing the brother they had betrayed so many years ago. Joseph could have them killed, or imprisoned, or sold as slaves – just as they had done to him. Or he could provide for them life giving food and a prosperous future under his protection in Egypt. What path will he choose? And then, Vayigash Yehudah, and then Judah draws near and offers his life in exchange for his brother Benjamin.

Joseph sees that his brothers have changed. Joseph sees that he has changed. And Joseph chooses to draw them near and forgive. Joseph chooses the path of repentance and return and we are the heirs of that choice. Seeking and granting forgiveness has been our path for righteous living ever since that day.

Vayigash Summary:

Judah pleads with Joseph to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. (44:18-34)
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. (45:1-15)
Although the famine still rages, Pharaoh invites Joseph’s family to “live off the fat of the land.” (45:16-24)
Jacob learns that Joseph is still alive and, with God’s blessing, goes to Egypt. (45:25-46:33)
Pharaoh permits Joseph’s family to settle in Goshen. Pharaoh then meets with Jacob. (47:1-12)
With the famine increasing, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food. The Israelites thrive in Egypt. (47:13-27)

Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1−44:17)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1−44:17)

Joseph is a dreamer of dreams – always was, always will be.

In his youth, Joseph’s dreams all revolve around himself. And when he shares them with others, he seems either unaware or unconcerned about the impact they will have on the lives of those around him.

As Joseph grows, there grows within him a recognition of the significance of other people’s dreams. He listens to their words and interprets there meanings, but still he lacks the empathy to understand how these interpretations will affect the lives of others.

Through Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph learns to enter into the dreams of others for good: seeing what others must see, saying what others fear to say. Joseph learns that the dreams and fears of others matter to his life, and that through our lives we can make a difference in fulfilling the best of our dreams together.

We are all Joseph, still dreaming of a better world and sharing such dreams with others, but still needing to enter those dreams to bring them to fruition, still believing in a greater redemption which awaits us and all the world. It says in the Talmud: “May the world we live in be the world of your dreams.” (Talmud Berachot 17a) May this be our blessing. Amen.

Mikeitz Summary:

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s two dreams and predicts seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. (41:1-32)
Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of food collection and distribution. (41:37-49)
Joseph marries Asenath, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (41:50-52)
When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He holds Simeon hostage while the rest of the brothers return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin for him. (42:3-42:38)
The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin and for more food. Joseph continues the test, this time falsely accusing Benjamin of stealing and declaring that Benjamin must remain his slave. (43:1-44:17)

Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)

God’s name never appears in the entire opening chapter of Parashat Vayeishev. That is a pretty rare thing in the Torah, most Torah portions begin with God’s name, you would think God’s name would be mentioned, particularly because Vayeishev marks the beginning of the Joseph tales, his journey from slavery to redemption which will parallel the story of Exodus soon to come. Where is God in the story of Joseph?

God is there, just not in name. God is there in the hard times so it is sometimes difficult to see. Joseph’s brothers throw him into a pit and plot to kill him, but then a caravan just happens to pass by, so they sell him into slavery instead. Joseph becomes a slave, but then Potiphar buys him and raises him to rule over his entire household. Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses Joseph and he is sent to prison, but there he meets the cupbearer to Pharaoh and miraculously finds himself standing before Pharaoh interpreting his dreams. Pharaoh places him in charge of all Egypt and most miraculously, his brothers somehow find their way down to Egypt seeking life giving food from the brother they once threw in a pit and sold as a slave.

Where is God in the story of Joseph? God is there in every difficult step along the way.

Vayeishev Summary:

Jacob is shown to favor his son Joseph, whom the other brothers resent. Joseph has dreams of grandeur. (Genesis 37:1-11)
After Joseph’s brothers had gone to tend the flocks in Shechem, Jacob sends Joseph to report on them. The brothers decide against murdering Joseph but instead sell him into slavery. After he is shown Joseph’s coat of many colors, which had been dipped in the blood of a kid, Jacob is led to believe that Joseph has been killed by a beast. (Genesis 37:12-35)
Tamar successively marries two of Judah’s sons, each of whom dies. Judah does not permit her levirate marriage to his youngest son. She deceives Judah into impregnating her. (Genesis 38:1-30)
God is with Joseph in Egypt until the wife of his master, Potiphar, accuses him of rape, whereupon Joseph is imprisoned. (Genesis 39:1-40:23)

Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4−36:43)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4−36:43)

“Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28)
We are called Israel because we continue to struggle with the Divine. Trying to understand what God wants us to be! Trying to become what we ought to be! Trying to understand our sacred texts that our tradition bestowed us with!

Vayishlach Summary:

Jacob prepares to meet Esau. He wrestles with a “man,” who changes Jacob’s name to Israel. (32:4-33)
Jacob and Esau meet and part peacefully, each going his separate way. (33:1-17)
Dinah is raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who was chief of the country. Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi take revenge by murdering all the males of Shechem, and Jacob’s other sons join them in plundering the city. (34:1-31)
Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried in Ephrah, which is present-day Bethlehem. (35:16-21)
Isaac dies and is buried in Hebron. Jacob’s and Esau’s progeny are listed. (35:22-36:43)

“Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28)
We are called Israel because we continue to struggle with the Divine. Trying to understand what God wants us to be! Trying to become what we ought to be! Trying to understand our sacred texts that our tradition bestowed us with!

Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10−32:3)

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

“Surely Adonai is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16)
True knowledge can be acquired only when we realize that we do not know. True encounter with the Divine can happen when we realize we do not know.

Vayeitzei 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)

“Surely Adonai is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16)
True knowledge can be acquired only when we realize that we do not know. True encounter with the Divine can happen when we realize we do not know.

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)

Tol’dot (Genesis 25:19−28:9)

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

“The babies jostled each other within Rebecca, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of Adonai.” (Genesis 25:22)
Rebecca is the first person in the world that “inquires” of Adonai.
The Hebrew verb used here is לדרוש meaning “to demand” to inquire” to make a Drashah (commentary or story)”. Rebecca is the founder of a long Jewish tradition. We do not accept the world as it is, we demand explanations, we demand a better world for ourselves and for all humanity.

Tol’dot Sarah 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)
“The babies jostled each other within Rebecca, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of Adonai.” (Genesis 25:22)
Rebecca is the first person in the world that “inquires” of Adonai.
The Hebrew verb used here is לדרוש meaning “to demand” to inquire” to make a Drashah (commentary or story)”. Rebecca is the founder of a long Jewish tradition. We do not accept the world as it is, we demand explanations, we demand a better world for ourselves and for all humanity.

Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1−25:18)

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

“Abraham spoke to the Hittites. He said, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. …The Hittites replied to Abraham, “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us.” (Genesis 23:4-5)

Our history begins with Abraham, who was a stranger and a foreigner, and was treaded by the citizens of the land as a mighty prince, with kindness and respect. We should become at list as kind and nice to the strangers and foreigners in our land and treat them with kindness and respect.

Chayei Sarah 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)
“Abraham spoke to the Hittites. He said, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. …The Hittites replied to Abraham, “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us.” (Genesis 23:4-5)

Our history begins with Abraham, who was a stranger and a foreigner, and was treaded by the citizens of the land as a mighty prince, with kindness and respect. We should become at list as kind and nice to the strangers and foreigners in our land and treat them with kindness and respect.

Chayei Sarah 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)

Vayeira (Genesis 18:1–22:24)

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

Tales of Destruction abound in the literature of the ancient world. Flood stories, fire stories, stories of war and plague and destruction. And, in many ways, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is just a Jewish version of that same sort of terrifying tale. And yet, the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah takes these tales and turns them on their heads to ask some deeper questions about the nature of God, the meaning of justice, and the role which we, God’s children, are commanded to play.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is not about the destruction of two cities, lost to the sand and salt of time. The moral of this story is a more lifted legend. The lesson of Sodom and Gomorrah is simply this: God is not in the whirlwind, not in the destructive hand. God is in the still small voice which murmurs beneath the blessing, beneath the pain, beneath the lives we all lead upon this earth. God is in Abraham’s willingness to provoke God, and God is in God’s listening to Abraham’s call. The moral of our story is: never be afraid to provoke, even God, for the cause of justice.

Vayeira Summary:

First, Abraham welcomes three visitors. They announce that Sarah will soon have a son. (18:1-15)
Then, Abraham argues with God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (18:16-33)
Moreover, Lot’s home is attacked by the people of Sodom. So Lot and his two daughters escape as the cities are being destroyed. And then, Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt. (19:1-29)
After that, 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)
Yet, Isaac is born, circumcised, and weaned. Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are sent away; an angel saves their lives. (21:1-21)
In conclusion, God tests Abraham. Most importantly, God instructs him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. (22:1-19)