PARASHAT VAYETZEI

This Parashah was prepared by ABA-EYBO

PARASHAT VAYETZEI

Genesis 28:10 – 32:3

Explore the journey of Jacob as he leaves Beer Sheva for Haran, dreams of a ladder to heaven, marries Leah and Rachel, and fathers his children. This comprehensive study includes commentary, readings, Haftarah, blessings, and a quiz on the Parasha. Join us for insights into this pivotal Torah portion.

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PARASHAT VAYETZEI

Genesis 28:10-32:3

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY AND FOR THE MERIT OF:

Sarah Imenu - Rivkah, Rachel, Leah, (Christina Miriam de Beler), Rachel Savua de Akiva;

Ruti Sarah Bat Simcha, Bernard St-Jean

Rabbi Akiva Ben Yosef, Jeannette Agustin San Juan, Fortune Agustin,

Filomena Agustin de San Juan (T’vila / Fila), Federmo San Juan, Aba Mevoyan Beler, Rachel Mazouz

Claudio Alfredo Beler San Juan; (Sugonto Ben Sofrio) ; (Aba Sofrio), Rabbi Ya’akov Abujatseira

(All the elders in their generations, from my father’s side and my mother’s side); Chaya Mushka Schneersohn

And of all the Anusim of the House of Israel; Jean-Baptiste Alvares

ז'אן בטיסט אלבארס , רבי שלמה לוריא, מהרש״ל

Jean Baptiste Louis Agustin Rodrigué Alvares, Rav DovBer de Lubavitch

אורינו ז'אן בטיסט אלבארס;

Eli Ha’Kohen, Pinchas Ve’Ikavod Ha’Kohen. Abayé Ha’Kohen, the Rebbe of Lubavitch,

Menachem Mendel Schneerson Zt”L; Yehuda Ha’Chassid, and Israel Meir Kagan, the Chafetz Chaim.

Rebbe Nachman Ben Feige & Moshe Rabbeinu

 

FOR THE COMPLETE RECOVERY OF

Colette St-Jean Gauthier, mother of Louise

FOR THE SUCCESS AND SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL WEALTH OF THE HOUSE OF

Enerio Yojanan & Rivka Wiwiet Bat Sarah

CONTENT OF THE PARASHAH

1) After receiving advice from his parents, Jacob leaves Beer Sheva and, at sunset, sleeps in Bethel/Jerusalem.

2) The Place (Ha’Makom): Beit-El, Luz, or Jerusalem? - Steps to the gate of heaven.
3) Jacob decides where the Temple of God will be built in the future.
4) The second scene at the Well: Jacob meets Rachel, his cousin and future wife.

5) Jacob works for his uncle, marries his cousins Leah and Rachel, and his children are born.
6) Jacob flees with his family and heads to the land of Israel.
7) Laban's covenant with Israel.
8) The camps of angels, those of the Exile and those of the land of Israel.
9) Yaakov sends a divine messenger to his brother.
10) Yaakov wrestles with an angel, and his name is changed to Israel.
11) Israel meets his twin brother after his stay in Haran.

ABOUT THE SHABBAT STUDY

Vayetzé (וַיֵּצֵא) is the Hebrew word for "and he left" or "he went out." It is the first word in this parasha, the seventh weekly portion of the Torah (פָּרָשָׁה, parasha) in the annual Torah reading cycle. It comprises Genesis 28:10 to 32:3. The parasha deals with Jacob's journey when he left his parents' house to live in Haran, at the home of his uncle Laban, the brother of his mother Rebecca. The parasha recounts Jacob's dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, Jacob's meeting with Rachel at the well, Jacob's time working for Laban and his life with Rachel and Leah, the birth of his children, and his departure from Laban's house to return to his land. The parasha consists of 7,512 Hebrew letters, 2,021 Hebrew words, and 148 verses, and can occupy about 235 lines in a Torah scroll (סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, Sefer Torah). It is usually read on the seventh Shabbat after Simchat Torah, generally in November or December.

COMMENTARY ON THE PARASHAH

Yaakov leaves his birthplace in Beer Sheva and travels to Haran. On the way, he encounters “the place” (Ha’Makom) and sleeps there, dreaming of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending on it; God appears to him and promises that the land on which he lies will be given to his descendants. In the morning, Yaakov raises the stone on which he rested his head as an altar and a monument, promising that it would be the house of God.

Yaakov stays in Haran, where he works for his uncle Laban and tends his sheep. Laban agrees to give his younger daughter, Rachel, whom Yaakov loves, in marriage as payment for seven years of work. But on the wedding night, Laban gives him his older daughter, Leah, a deception that Yaakov only discovers in the morning. Yaakov marries Rachel as well, a week later, after agreeing to work another seven years for Laban.

Leah bears six sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah, while Rachel remains barren. Rachel gives Yaakov her maidservant, Bilhah, to bear children on her behalf, and Rachel bears two more sons, Dan and Naphtali. Leah does the same with her maidservant, Zilpah, from whom Gad and Asher are born. Finally, Rachel's prayers are answered, and Joseph is born.

Yaakov had already been in Haran for fourteen years and wished to return home, but Laban convinced him to stay and offered his sheep as payment for the work. Yaakov prospers, despite Laban's repeated attempts to ruin him. After six years, Yaakov leaves Haran in secret, fearing that Laban would not allow him to take the family and wealth he had worked for. Laban and Yaakov make a pact on Mount Gilead, and Yaakov continues his journey to the Promised Land, where he is met by camps of angels.

THE ALIYOT OF VAYETZEI

In the traditional Shabbat Torah reading, this parashah is divided into seven readings called Aliyot (Aliyah in singular).  In the Masoretic Text of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the Parashat Vayetzei is unusual because it is entirely contained in a single "open portion" (Petuchah; roughly equivalent to a single paragraph, often abbreviated with the Hebrew letter פ (peh)).  

And within that single open portion, Parashat Vayetzei has no "closed portion" (Setuma) divisions,  abbreviated with the Hebrew letter ס  (Samekh).

BLESSINGS BEFORE READING THE TORAH

Before reading or studying the Torah, one should make it a habit to bless the Eternal (Hashem). Keep in mind that the name of God used when we say our prayers, read the Torah, or bless God is “Adonai.” Wherever His name appears, we pronounce it “Adonai.” Wherever the name of the Eternal appears, we pronounce it Adonai at those times; at other times, we simply say Hashem.

I Bless the Eternal, the Blessed God

Blessed be the Eternal, who must be blessed!

In Hebrew

Baruj Atah (Adonai), Eloheinu Melej Ha’Olam, Asher Bajar Banu Mikol Ha’Amim VeNatan Lanu Et Torato. Baruj Atah Adonai Noten HaTorah!

In English

Blessed are You, Adonai, our God and King of the universe, who has chosen us from among all nations and given us His Torah! Blessed are You, Adonai, giver of the Torah!

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BOOK OF GENESIS CHAPTER 28:10-22

Jacob's Ladder

First Aliyah (Reading) - Genesis 28:10-22

PRE-READING 1

In the first Aliyah (Reading), when Jacob left Beersheba for Haran, he stopped at a place to spend the night and used a stone as a pillow. He dreamed of a ladder to heaven with angels of God ascending and descending on it. And God stood beside him and promised to give him and his numerous descendants the land on which he lay, said that through his descendants all the earth would be blessed, and vowed to stay with him wherever he went and bring him back to the land. Jacob awoke in awe, remarked that surely the place was the house of God, the gate of heaven, and named the place Bethel (though the Canaanites had called the city Luz). Jacob took the stone beneath his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on it. And Jacob vowed that if God stayed with him, gave him bread and clothing, and returned him to his father’s house in peace, then God would be his God, the stone pillar would be God’s house, and he would give God a tenth of what he received.

The first Aliyah (Reading) ends here with the end of chapter 28.

READING 1

10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran; 11 And he came upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set: and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

13 And, behold, the Eternal stood above it, and said, I am the Eternal, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. 16 And Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Eternal is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Beit-El: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Eternal be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Yaakov embracing Rachel

Second Aliyah (Reading): Genesis 29:1–17

PRE-READING 2

In the second Aliyah (Reading), in chapter 29, Jacob arrived in the land of the east, where he saw a well with a large stone rolled over it and three flocks of sheep lying beside it. Jacob asked the men where they were from, and they replied Haran. Jacob asked if they knew Laban, and they said yes. Jacob asked if Laban was well, and they said yes, and that his daughter Rachel would come with her sheep. Jacob told the men to water and feed the sheep, but they replied that they couldn’t until all the flocks had arrived. When Jacob saw Rachel arrive with her father’s sheep, he rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered Laban’s sheep. Jacob kissed Rachel, wept, and told her he was her relative; she ran and told her father. When Laban heard of Jacob’s arrival, he ran to meet him, embraced him, kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all that had happened, and Laban welcomed Jacob as family. After Jacob had lived with Laban for a month, Laban asked what wages he wanted for his work. Laban had two daughters: the elder, Leah, had weak eyes, while the younger, Rachel, was beautiful.

The second Aliyah (Reading) (עליה, aliyah) ends here.

Terah - Hagar  - Abraham - Sarah  - Haran - Nahor - Milcah  - Yiscah  - Lot - Bethuel  - Moab  - Ben-ammi - Ishmael  - Isaac  - Rebecca  - Laban - Esaú  - Jacob  - Leah  -  Rachel

Jacob tells Laban he will work for Rachel 

GENESIS 29:1-35

READING 2

1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. 2 And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth. 3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place. 4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. 5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. 6, And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. 8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep. 9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them. 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban, his mother’s brother. 11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.

13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob, his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. 14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. 15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? 16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favoured.

Jacob speaks with Laban 

Third Aliyah (Reading): Genesis 29:18-30:13

PRE-READING 3

In the third Aliyah (Reading), Jacob loved Rachel and, responding to Laban’s question in verse 15, offered to serve Laban for seven years for Rachel’s hand, to which Laban agreed. Jacob fulfilled the years, but his love for Rachel made them seem like only a few days. Jacob asked Laban for his wife, and Laban made a feast and invited all the men of the place. At night, Laban brought Leah to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. Laban gave Leah Zilpah to be her maidservant. In the morning, Jacob discovered it was Leah and complained to Laban that he had served for Rachel. Laban replied that in that place, they do not give the younger before the firstborn, but if Jacob completed Leah’s week, he would give Jacob both daughters for another seven years of service. Jacob did so, and Laban gave him Rachel as a wife, and gave Rachel Bilhah to be her maidservant. Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, so God allowed Leah to conceive, but Rachel was barren. Leah bore a son and named him Reuben, saying that God had looked upon her affliction. She bore a second son and named him Simeon, saying that God had heard she was hated. She bore a third son and named him Levi, saying that this time her husband would be joined to her. She bore a fourth son and named him Judah, saying that this time she would praise God. Rachel envied her sister and demanded that Jacob give her children, but Jacob grew angry and asked if he was in the place of God.

Who had denied her children. Rachel told Jacob to lie with her maidservant Bilhah, so that Bilhah could bear children on Rachel’s knees that could be attributed to Rachel, and he did so. Bilhah bore Jacob a son, and Rachel named him Dan, saying that God had judged her and also heard her voice. And Bilhah bore Jacob a second son, and Rachel named him Naphtali, saying she had wrestled with her sister and prevailed. When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing children, she gave Jacob her maidservant Zilpah as a wife. Zilpah bore Jacob a son, and Leah named him Gad, saying that fortune had come. And Zilpah bore Jacob a second son, and Leah named him Asher, saying, "I am happy, for the daughters would call her blessed."

The third Aliyah (Reading) ends here.

READING 3

18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 19 And Laban said, I should give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. 24, And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for a handmaid. 25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? 26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27 Fulfill her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. 28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. 29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah, his handmaid, to be her maid. 30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. 31 And when the Eternal saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Eternal hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. 33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the Eternal hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

34 And she conceived again, and bare a son. She said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. 35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Eternal: thus she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Genesis 30:1-43

1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2, And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? 3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her. She shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. 5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. 6 And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

7 And Bilhah, Rachel’s maid, conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. 9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her to Jacob as wife. 10 And Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Jacob a son.

11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad. 12 And Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bare Jacob a second son.

13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. 

Mandrake Roots 

Fourth Aliyah (Reading): Genesis 30:14-27

PRE-READING 4

In the fourth Aliyah (Reading), Reuben found some mandrakes and brought them to Leah. Rachel asked Leah for the mandrakes, and when Leah resisted, Rachel agreed that Jacob would sleep with Leah that night in exchange for the mandrakes. When Jacob came home that night, Leah told him he had to sleep with her because she had hired him with the mandrakes, and he did so. God heard Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son, whom she named Issachar, saying that God had given her a reward. She bore Jacob a sixth son and named him Zebulun, saying that God had endowed her with a good dowry. Afterward, Leah bore a daughter and named her Dinah. God heard Rachel, and she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Joseph, praying that God would grant her another son. Then Jacob asked Laban to allow him, his wives, and his children to return to his own country. Laban admitted that God had blessed him for Jacob’s sake.

The fourth Aliyah (Reading) (עליה, aliyah) ends here.

READING 4

14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son’s mandrakes. 15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee tonight for thy son’s mandrakes. 16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night. 17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar. 19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. 20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun. 21 And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. 22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: 24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The Eternal shall add to me another son. 25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.

27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Eternal hath blessed me for thy sake. 

Jacob flees far from Laban 

Fifth Aliyah (Reading): Genesis 30:28–31:16

PRE-READING 5

In the fifth Aliyah (Reading), Laban asked Jacob how long he wanted to stay. Jacob recounted how he had served Laban and how Laban had benefited, and asked when he could provide for his own family. Laban pressed him again, so Jacob offered to stay with Laban’s flock in exchange for the speckled, spotted, and dark sheep and goats, so Laban could clearly distinguish Jacob’s flock from his own. Laban agreed, but that day he removed the spotted goats and dark sheep from his flock, gave them to his sons, and put a three-day distance between himself and Jacob. Jacob peeled white streaks in fresh rods of poplar, almond, and plane trees and placed them where the flocks could see them when they mated, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted offspring. Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the stronger sheep, but not before the weaker ones, so the weaker sheep became Laban’s and the stronger ones Jacob’s. 

Thus, Jacob’s flocks and wealth increased. Jacob heard that Laban’s sons thought he had enriched himself at Laban’s expense and saw that Laban no longer regarded him as before. God told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers and that He would be with him. Jacob called Rachel and Leah to the field and told them that Laban had changed his attitude toward Jacob, but that Jacob had served Laban wholeheartedly, and that God had stayed with Jacob. Jacob noted that Laban had mocked him and changed his wages ten times, but God did not allow Laban to harm Jacob; instead, He had rewarded Jacob by giving him Laban’s animals. Jacob said that in a dream, God commanded him to return to the land of his birth. Rachel and Leah replied that they no longer had a share in Laban’s house and that all the wealth God had taken from Laban belonged to them and their children, so Jacob should do everything God had told him to do.

The fifth Aliyah (Reading) (עליה, aliyah) ends here.

READING 5

28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. 29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle were with me. 30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Eternal hath blessed thee since my coming: and now, when shall I provide for mine own house also? 31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock. 32 I will pass through all thy flock today, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire. 33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. 34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. 35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons;

36 And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks. 37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink. 39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted. 40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban’s cattle. 41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.

42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. 43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

Genesis 31:1-55

1 And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. 2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 And the Eternal said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. 4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, 5 And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. 6 And ye know that with all my power I have served your father:

7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. 8 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. 9 Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. 10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

13 I am the God of Beit-El, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. 14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not counted as strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. 16 For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do. 

Laban searches for his idols in Yaakov’s belongings. 

Sixth Aliyah (Reading): Genesis 31:17–42

PRE-READING 6

In the sixth Aliyah (Reading), Jacob mounted his children and wives on camels and set out toward Isaac and Canaan with all the animals and wealth he had gathered in Padan-Aram. Jacob deceived Laban by fleeing secretly while Laban was shearing his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s idols. On the third day, Laban learned that Jacob had fled, and he and his relatives pursued him for seven days, and overtook him on Mount Gilead. God came to Laban in a dream and told him not to speak to Jacob, neither good nor bad. But when Laban caught up with Jacob, he asked what he meant by taking his daughters away secretly, as captives, without letting him bid them farewell or his grandchildren. Laban said that while he had the power to harm Jacob, God had told him the night before not to speak to Jacob about anything, neither good nor bad, and now Laban wanted to know why Jacob had stolen his gods. 

Jacob replied that he had fled secretly out of fear that Laban would take his daughters by force, and unaware that Rachel had stolen the gods, he told Laban that whoever had his gods would die. Laban searched Jacob’s tent, Leah’s tent, and the tents of the two maidservants, finding nothing, then entered Rachel’s tent. Rachel had hidden the idols in the camel’s saddle and sat on them, apologizing to her father for not standing up, as she was in her period. Laban searched and felt through the tent but did not find the idols. 

Angered, Jacob asked Laban what he had done to deserve this pursuit and search. Jacob protested that he had worked for Laban for 20 years, through drought and frost, enduring the loss of animals torn by predators and not eating Laban’s rams, only for his wages to be changed 10 times. If the God of Isaac had not been on Jacob’s side, surely Laban would have sent him away empty-handed, said Jacob, and God had seen his affliction and granted him what he deserved.

The sixth Aliyah (Reading) ends here.

READING 6

17 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;

18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padan-aram, to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan. 19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s. 20 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead. 22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. 24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt, but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods? 31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me. 32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tents, but found them not. 35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images. 36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? 37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

38 These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. 39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. 41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. 42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of mine hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

Seventh Aliyah (Reading): Genesis 31:43–32:3

PRE-READING 

In the seventh Aliyah (Reading), Laban answered Jacob that they were his daughters, his children, and his flocks, but asked what he could do about it. Instead, Laban proposed they make a covenant, and Jacob set up a stone pillar, and with his relatives piled up stones, and they ate a meal on the heap. Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. Laban named the heap as a witness between him and Jacob and invoked God to watch, when they were apart, if Jacob afflicted Laban’s daughters or took other wives. And Laban designated the heap and the pillar as a boundary between him and Jacob; Laban would not pass it to Jacob, and Jacob would not pass it to Laban to do harm.

Laban invoked the God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of Terah, and Jacob swore by the fear of Isaac and offered a sacrifice.

The seventh Aliyah (Reading), the single open portion (Petucha), and the Parasha end here.

READING 7

43 And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born? 44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. 45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made a heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. 47 And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed (Gilead). 48 And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; 49 And Mizpah; for he said, The Eternal watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. 50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount. 55 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Genesis 32:1-3

1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. 3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

Aliyah of Maftir Bereshit 32:1-3

PRE-READING OF MAFTIR

In the Aliyah (Reading) of Maftir (מפטיר) of Genesis 32:1-3 that concludes the parashah, early in the morning, Laban kissed his sons and daughters, blessed them, and went home. And when Jacob continued on his way, the angels of God met him, and Jacob said to them that this was God’s camp, and he named the place Mahanaim.  

READING OF MAFTIR - GENESIS 32:1-3

1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. 3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

BLESSINGS BEFORE READING THE HAFTARAH

Before reading the Haftarah as well, the reader or student should say this blessing:

In Hebrew

Baruj Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melej HaOlam Asher Bajar Bin-vi-im Tovim Ve-Ratza Ve-Divreijem Ha-ne-Emarim Ve-Emet!   Baruj Atah Adonai Ha-Bojer Ba-Torah Uv-Moshe Avdo Uv-Yisra’el Amo U-ninviei Ha-Emet Va-Tsedek!

In English

Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the Universe, who chose good prophets and was pleased with their words, spoken in truth! Blessed are You, Adonai, who decided the Torah and Moshe Your Servant, and Israel Your People, and the Prophets of Truth and Justice!

Hoshea 11:7–14:10

7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him. 8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. 9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. 10 They shall walk after the Eternal: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the Eternal. (1) Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. (12-2) Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. (12-3) The Eternal hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. (12-4) He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: (12-5) Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; (12-6) Even the Eternal God of hosts; the Eternal is his memorial.

(7) Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. (8) He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. (9) And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. (10) And I that am the Eternal thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

(11) I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. (12-12) Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

(13) And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. (12-14) And by a prophet the Eternal brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. (12-15) Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

1 When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. 2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. 3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney. 4 Yet I am the Eternal thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me. 5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. 6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: 8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. 9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. 10 I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. 12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.

13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. 15 Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the Eternal shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

1 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up. 2 O Israel, return unto the Eternal thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 3 Take with you words, and turn to the Eternal: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 4 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. 5 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. 6 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

7 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. 8 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. 9 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. 10 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Eternal are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

BLESSING AFTER THE HAFTARAH

After reading the Haftarah, the reader or student of the Haftarah should recite the following blessing

In Hebrew

Baruj Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melej Ha-Olam, Tsur Kol Ha-Olamim Tsadik VeKol Ha-dorot Ha-El Ha-ne’eman Ha-Omer Ve-ose Ha-medaber U-Makiyem Shekol Devarav Emet Ve-Tsedek Ne’eman Atah Adonai Eloheinu Ve-ne’enamim Devareja Ve-Davar Ejad Mi-devareija Ajor Yashuv Reikam Ki El Melej Ne’eman Ve-Rajaman Atah! Baruj Atah Adonai Ha-El Ha-ne’eman VeKol Devarav!

In English

You, Adonai, are our Elohim, the King of the Universe, the Rock of the eternities, the Just in all generations, the Faithful God, who Says and Does, who Speaks and Fulfills, Whose Words are True! Faithful are You, Adonai our Elohim, and Your Words are Faithful. Not a single one of Your Words returns unfulfilled, for You, oh Elohim, are a Faithful and Compassionate King! Blessed are You, Adonai, Elohim, who are faithful in all Your Words!

Q & A - QUIZ ABOUT PARASHAT VAYETZÉ

All references come from the same verses and Rashi’s commentaries unless otherwise noted.

Quiz on the Parasha of the Torah

Below is a list of questions related to the events and teachings of the Torah, specifically from the chapters of Genesis (Bereshit) that narrate the life of Yaakov (Jacob). Each question includes the corresponding biblical reference and the answer.

1. When Yaakov traveled to Haran, the Torah emphasizes that he departed from Beer Sheva. Why? Genesis 28:10

   • Answer: Because when a Tsadik (a righteous person) leaves, it creates a noticeable void in that place.

2. On the night of his dream, Yaakov did something he hadn’t done in 14 years. What? Genesis 28:11

   • Answer: He slept at night lying down.

3. God compressed the entire Land of Israel under the sleeping Yaakov. What does this symbolize? Genesis 28:13

   • Answer: That the Land would be easy to conquer for his descendants.

4. Yaakov said, "I will return with Shalom." What did he mean by "shalom"? Genesis 28:21

   • Answer: Completely without sin.

5. Why did Yaakov reprimand the shepherds? Genesis 29:7

   • Answer: He thought they were loafing, stopping work early in the day.

6. Why was Rachel, and not her brothers, the one tending her father’s sheep? Genesis 30:27

   • Answer: Because her brothers had not yet been born.

7. Why did Yaakov cry when he met Rachel? Genesis 29:11

   • Answer: He prophetically saw that they would not be buried together; or because he had no money.

8. Why did Laban run to greet Yaakov? Genesis 29:13

   • Answer: He thought Yaakov was carrying money.

9. Why were Leah’s eyes tender? Genesis 29:17

   • Answer: She wept continuously because she thought she was destined to marry Esau the Wicked.

10. How old was Yaakov when he married? Genesis 29:21

    • Answer: Eighty-four.

11. What did Rachel find enviable about Leah? Genesis 30:1

    • Answer: Her good deeds, thinking that was the reason Leah deserved to have children.

12. Who was Yaakov’s fifth son? Genesis 30:5

    • Answer: Dan.

13. Who was Leah’s maidservant? Was she older or younger than Rachel’s maidservant? Genesis 30:10

    • Answer: Zilpah. She was younger.

14. How do you say “dudaim” in Arabic? Genesis 30:14

    • Answer: Jasmine (Yasmin).

15. "God remembered Rachel" (30:22). What does He remember? Genesis 30:22

    • Answer: That Rachel gave Leah the "signs of recognition" that Yaakov had taught her so that Leah would not be ashamed.

16. What does "Yosef" mean? Why was he named so? Genesis 30:24

    • Answer: "Yosef" means "He will add." Rachel asked God for another son besides Yosef.

17. God forbade Laban from speaking to Yaakov "about good or bad." Why didn’t God want Laban to talk to Jacob about the good? Genesis 31:24

    • Answer: Because "the good" that comes from the wicked is bad for the righteous (Tsadikim).

18. Where are there two Aramaic words in this Parsha? Genesis 31:41

    • Answer: Yagar Sahaduta, which means "wall of testimony."

19. Who was Bilhah’s father? Who was Zilpah’s father? Genesis 31:50

    • Answer: Laban.

20. Who accompanied Yaakov to Eretz Israel? Genesis 32:1

    • Answer: The angels of Eretz Israel.

I hope this organization helps study and review the Parasha. If you need me to adapt the format or add anything else, let me know!

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