The Reluctant Warrior
Because we know how it ends, we may not feel the suspense as Parashat Vayishlach opens. Jacob prepares to return home and confront his estranged brother, Esau, after 20 years apart. They had not parted on good terms.
A People by Any Other Name
Toward the end of my comments on Parashat Vayeitzei, I noted that the collator of the Genesis stories had before him a real challenge.
Difficult Stories Raise Difficult Questions
The rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) is one of the most disturbing stories in the entire Tanach. Before we look closely at that text, it is appropriate to put it in the context of the continuing patriarchal narratives.
On Venturing Forth: Two Traditional Models
On the eve of my own exciting, uncertain journey, I sit down to write about the journeys of our ancestors in the Torah portion Vayishlach.
Facing Our Anxieties and Moving On
Our father Jacob is a man in motion. Even in the womb, he struggled to get out. Of all the patriarchs, we know him best. We've followed the ups and downs in his life. He is complex, always changing, ever-growing.
An Emissary of Peace
Most often, readers of the portion Vayishlach focus on the encounter between Jacob and Esau near the river Jabbok. For good reason! It is dramatic, climactic, and mysterious.
Clothes Make the Story . . .
To paraphrase Mark Twain, "clothes make the [story]." Throughout the course of Parashat Vayeishev, references to clothing accentuate and propel the unfolding drama.
Joseph's Clothes Spell Trouble