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B"H

Thursday, Kislev 8, 5777 / December 8, 2016

 

In this week’s Parsha, Vayeitzei, we read the story of how Yaakov leaves his parents, who lived in Be’er Sheva, and went to the city of Charan, where his mother’s brother, Lavan, lived. There was a double purpose for this journey; to escape his brother, Esau, who wants to kill him and also to find a wife from Lavan’s daughters.

 

Q.How old was Yaakov when he came to his father-in-law, Lavan?

 

A.Although he left his parents at the age of 63, he didn’t go directly to Lavan. Yaakov stopped off at the study hall (Yeshiva) of Eiver – a great great grandson Noach (Noah). Thus, Yaakov was seventy seven when he came to Lavan.

 

After working seven years for Rachel, Lavan fooled him and gave him Leah instead. When Yaakov complained, he told him that for another seven years of work, he will give him Rachel too.

 

Q.Yaakov was eighty four when he married Leah. How much later did he marry Rachel?

 

A.The first seven years, Yaakov worked before Lavan gave him his daughter Leah. But the second seven years he worked off after marrying Rachel. A week after his wedding to Leah he married Rachel. Yaakov was 84 when he married Leah and Rachel.

 

Q.What was the significance of waiting one week?

 

A.According to Halacha (Jewish law) there is a seven day celebration period for bride and groom after their wedding. Only after the seven-day celebration period for Leah, was he able to marry Rachel.

 

Q.How many years did Yaakov stay with his father-in-law, Lavan?

 

A.Twenty years. During this time, eleven of his sons and his daughter, Dina, were born.

 

Q.How old were his children when he left Lavan’s home?

 

A.His oldest son, Reuven, was over Bar Mitzvah and his youngest at that time, Joseph, was 6.

 

Q.Did Yaakov leave on good terms with his father-in-law?

 

A.No. In fact, Yaakov had to leave with his family and possessions while Lavan was away from home. Yaakov was too valuable to be let go, as G-d blessed Lavan with great wealth as a result of Yaakov. When Lavan found out that Yaakov and his family were gone, he chased after them and wanted to harm them. G-d appeared to him in a dream and warned him not to harm them. Yaakov was 97 when he left Lavan; he was 99 when he rejoined his father, Yitzchak, who was 159. His mother Rivkah had already passed away.

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY