Torah Commentary

The brothers could not speak peacefully with Joseph because they allowed their anger and resentment to control them.

Judah merits the position of kingship because of his ability to acknowledge and overcome his mistakes.

Parashat Vayeshev teaches us the importance of ensuring that we enact justice in light of the ease with which our systems of justice can be abused.

The consequences of what we say are extremely far-reaching, demanding that we choose our words carefully.

We can learn from Jacob's encounter with Esau to meet others as we would meet God.

Esau and Jacob are able to reconcile only when each is secure in his achievements.

By asking Jacob his name, his wrestling adversary challenges him to examine himself.

To be fully educated and human we must study a range of disciplines--humanities and sciences, secular and Judaic.

Joseph's status as an outsider, and the outsider status of the Jewish people, allow for critical insight into the deeper truths of the surrounding people.

Jacob sends Esau the message that despite having lived with Laban, he has kept the commandments and learned to stand up to powerful figures.