Parshat Vayetze

 This page is dedicated to categorizing and slightly expanding the blurbs of each article on the parsha. Instead of presenting here per how things were written chronologically (in the order of the years each was written), the goal is to divide in the order of the narrative's subject matter. 

Yaakov Leaves Home 

This topic, along with Yaakov's dream, has not yet been covered in this space 

Yaakov Arrives in Charan 

Does he have Peace? "Peace..." - Yaakov shows up in Charan and first contacts shepherds waiting at a well. His brief dialogue with them indicates they are not that interested in conversing with a stranger. Perhaps their hint to him is "we are all best off leaving each other alone." This is a very simple and logical peace plan! 

 Yaakov and Lavan - Son-in-Law and Father-in-Law - Some observations on how a son-in-law might relate to his father-in-law and vice versa. The ultimate question is, what kind of relationship is wanted for there to be between grandchildren and grandfather? Assuming the son-in-law treats his wife properly, the father-in-law should see his relationship with his grandchildren as being his top priority. 

 Not Responsible for "Lies" - Fine print is fine print, but at least it's there. Those who say something and mean another, or who mislead people into believing one thing, when they know they have no intention of honoring what has been implied, are of the worst of the worst. Lavan is like that... and other kinds of famous people too.... 

 The Women Yaakov Marries 

The Beautiful and Beloved Imahot - In this we explore a number of commentaries aiming to explain what the Torah means when it describes Leah's eyes and Rachel's beauty. Some aspects of the noted concerns over Leah's being snuah (hated) - included in 2 different pieces noted below - are included, though the overall emphasis here is on a much wider picture of what made the Imahot beloved to US, their descendants. 

 Thanksgiving of the Forefathers (sermon) - This sermon was written and delivered in honor of Thanksgiving, but also to acknowledge the different kinds of meals we witness in this parsha and elsewhere as people eat together to signify something. This focuses on all the meals Lavan has - the weddings and the end of the parsha at Gal-ed. 

 Meet Leah, The Hated Wife - Leah being "hated" surely was not actual hatred, but was more the result of her being thrust into a position her husband Yaakov was not ready for. Perhaps the "hatred" is self diagnosed, and Leah hated herself for how things transpired. 

 The Tragedy of Leah Imeinu Being Barren and Unwanted - A follow up to the previous. Like all the other mothers of the Jewish people, Leah experienced barrenness. Her experience was short-lived, however, as not only did she start having children relatively quickly, she ended up being the most fertile of the mothers. And yet, there remains something tragic about her experience, even though she has such a special status AND was ultimately buried next to Yaakov. 

 Bilhah and Zilpah: Wives of Yaakov, (Mothers of Bnei Yisrael) - Bilhah and Zilpah married Yaakov. And yet they are referred to (at different times) as wives, as maids, or concubines. They are the mothers of 4 of the tribes of Israel, yet when we speak of the mothers of the Jewish people, we always say FOUR mothers, and we leave Bilhah and Zilpha out. Is there ever a reference to SIX mothers? Why not? 

 Rachel's Struggles and Rachel's Cries - Her bout with infertility wasn't as long as that of Sarah and that of Rivkah, but it is nonetheless heartbreaking when we see every other woman, all married to the same man, having children. What seems to push her over the edge? Is it frustration and sadness, or perhaps a tactic to get what she wanted? 

 Having and Naming Children 

When We Name Our Children - Boys and Girls - the model of Yaakov and his wives naming their children hasn't carried through to our time. Is there anything wrong with naming children the moment they are born? Why do we go about naming our children in a more public fashion, at ceremonial or ritual experiences? 

 "I Shall Give Thanks to Hashem" - Leah's naming of her children has significance unique to each child and to each circumstance of her giving birth. Strangely, she only acknowledges or seems to give thanks to God (two meaning of the root of the name Yehuda) with the birth of her fourth son. Why did she wait so long? What does it mean to express gratitude to the Almighty? 

 Shimon - Flawed Tribe (also for Vayishlach, Vayeshev, Miketz, Vaychi) - a host of tidbits and comments noting the troubling nature of Shimon the man, and subsequently the tribe that bears his name 

 Wives Quarrels (and Reuven's Flowers) 

 Can Getting into a Lull Improve One's Marriage? - Rachel's conflicted and tortured soul plays in a role in distorting her relationship with Yaakov. Did she have a plan? Was she hoping for a miracle? 

 Between the Birth of the Children and the Exit From Charan 

Lavan's Children and Their Ages - At first he only seems to have two daughter, and later on he has sons who claim Yaakov stole his wealth. How old are Lavan's children? Does when they were born matter ? 

 A Non Trivial Pursuit - How Lavan Chased Yaakov (compared to Paroh) - significant parallels exist between the exit from Charan and the Exodus from Egypt. Much of the comparison can be attached to the Haggadah's effort of pitting Lavan against Pharaoh for the title of "worst offender" against the Bnei Yisrael 

  On the Road & Goodbyes to Lavan 

Two Thefts, Exodus, and Survival - Is it OK to steal terafim? Or to steal a grandfather's heart? Perhaps it depends on what the alternative is, and what is being protected through these "stealings." 

 Yaakov's Thanksgiving Meals - Shorter version of the Thankgiving sermon noted above at the time of the weddings of Yaakov to Leah and then Rachel, respectively. 

 Lashon Hora - Some Dos and Don'ts - Allowing bygones to be bygones and departing from one another in peace, with no intent to harm one another includes a commitment not to speak ill of one another. 

 When Enemies Make Real Peace - The Fight of Lavan and Yaakov is as old as time. It only rehashed itself in different ways in Gaza in the last few decades. Parting ways, even in a cold peace, is a world of a difference from continuing to hate each other and look over one's shoulders.