Genesis 32:4-36:43

Obadiah 1:1-21

In this Torah portion, God tells Jacob to return home. Worried that his brother Esau will kill him, Jacob divides his clan into two camps, so at least some will survive in case of a fight. Jacob sleeps alone in the desert and is awoken by an angel who wrestles him through the night. Jacob survives and is blessed by the angel and renamed Israel. Jacob meets his brother and, surprisingly, they embrace. Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, is raped by Shekhem, who then proposes to Jacob that he marry her. Shimeon and Levi brutally murder Shekhem and his clan. Rachel has another child, whom she and Jacob name Benjamin.

FULL SUMMARY
HAFTARAH SUMMARY

Parashat Vayishlach: Honoring the Best of Jacob

This Torah portion interperses multiple momentous encounters with the divine realm with a series of fraught incidents between humans.

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More on this Torah Portion

A Tale of Two Jacobs

This biblical patriarch’s life is marked by an unresolved conflict with his dark side.

Family Reunions and Beyond

Isn’t Jacob’s peace with Esau as important as Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers?

The Silence of Dinah and Other Rape Victims

The Bible focuses on Jacob's and his son's reactions, but not on those of the victim herself.

Confronting Our Dark Sides

Like Jacob's struggle, each of us must recognize, confront and struggle with our darker side.

Overcoming Envy

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

Why the Angel Asks Jacob His Name

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

Making Today Matter

Overcoming your name.

A Lack of Empathy

Jacob's reaction to Dinah's rape is puzzling and disturbing.

Transformative Encounters

To be a Jew is to be as Jacob: struggling, transforming, and inspiring to others.

Why Jacob Returns for His Small Vessel

Jacob views material possessions as essential and indispensable.

When Jacob Reconciled with Esau

Jacob is surprised to learn that even with estranged family members, reconciliation is possible.

The Path to Reconciliation

How do you keep the past alive without becoming its prisoner?

Silent Deliberations

We should learn to react with humanity.

Struggling With Monotheism

Jacob and his family's evolving relationship with God illustrates the complex struggle with faith and monotheism.

Exile and Survival: Jacob’s Legacy

Jacob and the Jewish people have learned powerful lessons from the experience of exile.

Being Truly Present To God And People

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

Anatomy Of An Enemy

Amalek's personal history may have fueled his descendants' anger towards the descendants of Abraham.

Living With Threat

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

Stay Here

Jacob's story warns us of the dangers of being consumed by imagined demons.

Parashat Vayishlach: Facing Fear After Loss

Jacob’s courage shows that by facing our fears, we can overcome them and move forward.

Israel Means To Struggle With God

It is possible to be a good Jew and have questions about God.

Being Content With What You Have

Sometimes we simply need a reminder to be appreciative of our lives.

Parashat Vayishlach Quiz

Test your knowledge of this Torah portion.

Parashat Vayishlach: Summary

With a video commentary from Bim Bam.

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