B"H
Thursday, Kislev 11, 5785 / December 12, 2024
In this week’s Parsha, Vayishlach,the Torah tells us about Yaakov’s (Jacob) encounter with his brother, Esau. In the beginning Yaakov was very fearful of Esau, who many years earlier wanted to kill him. Yaakov sends messengers with gifts to Esau to tell Esau that he wants peace. When they finally meet after 34 years of separation, Esau shows affection for Yaakov and his family. He hugs and kisses Yaakov and Yaakov introduces his family to Esau.
Q. The Parsha begins with the encounter between Yaakov and Esau as Yaakov was on his way returning from his father-in-law Lavan, where he spent 20 years. How long was Yaakov on the road until he came back to his parents?
A. It took two years until Yaakov and his family came home to his parents. However, by the time Yaakov came home his mother, Rivkah, had already passed away.
Q. The Torah tells us that before meeting Esau, “Yaakov took his wives and his eleven children and crossed them over the stream.” Yaakov, at this time, had eleven sons and one daughter, Dina. What happened to child number twelve?
A. Our sages say that Yaakov was worried that Esau may fall in love with Dina and want to marry her. To avoid this, Yaakov placed her in a box, so that his brother, Esau, will not see her.
Q. In the Parsha we read how, on the way, Rachel gave birth to her second son, Binyamin. She passed away in childbirth. How old was Rachel when she passed away?
A. The Torah doesn’t give us her age, but our sages say that she was only thirty six.
Q. Why did Rachel pass away at such a young age?
A. When Yaakov left his father-in-law, Lavan, who was an idol worshipper, Rachel “stole her father’s idols,” so that he wouldn’t worship idols anymore. Yaakov had no idea that Rachel took them. When Lavan chased after Yaakov and asked him, “Why did you steal my god,” Yaakov said that he didn’t steal them and added, “With whomever you will find them they shall not live.” Due to this statement, Rachel, who did steal them, died very soon after.
Q. The Torah tells us, “And Rachel died and was buried at the road of Ephrata which is Beth-Lechem (Bethlehem).” Why did Yaakov bury his beloved wife Rachel at the side of the road and not in the city?
A. Our sages say that Yaakov knew that eventually the Holy Temple will be destroyed, the Jewish people will be exiled and driven out of Jerusalem. On their way they will travel on that road by Bethlehem. For their benefit he buried Rachel at the side of the road so when they pass her grave Rachel will pray for them.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW