Commentary on Parashat Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43
Every week, Julie Seltzer, artist and Torah scribe, bakes a challah depicting an aspect of the week’s Torah portion.
And Deborah, Rebecca’s nurse died, and she was buried below Beit-El under the oak; and it was called Allon-bakhut–The “Weeping” Tree. (Genesis 35:8)
וַתָּמָת דְּברָה מֵינֶקֶת רִבְקָה, וַתִּקָּבֵר מִתַּחַת לְבֵית-אֵל תַּחַת הָאַלּוֹן; וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ, אַלּוֹן בָּכוּת
The first time we hear of Deborah is at her death. The tree is named for her, or rather, for those that weep for her. The type of tree depicted here (Weeping Willow) reflects its Hebrew name.
Will You Help Us Answer the Call? The shofar's blast is a call to wake up and show up for what matters. My Jewish Learning answers that call all year by keeping Jewish knowledge free and open to anyone who wants it. Your gift helps us keep answering.
challah
Pronounced: KHAH-luh, Origin: Hebrew, ceremonial bread eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
Torah
Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses.
