TORAH STUDIES: LINKING SCRIPTURES

TORAH WEEK 08 VAYISHLACH

08-TorahPortion: וַיִּשְׁלַחVayishlach("He Sent")

Portion Summary:

The Torah portion Vayishlach focuses on Jacob's journey as he prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau after many years. Jacob fears Esau's wrath and prays for protection, then wrestles with a mysterious man, who blesses him and renames him Israel, meaning "he who wrestles with YHVH."The portion also covers the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau, the tragic incident involving Dinah, and the deaths of Isaac and Rachel.

In this eighth reading from the Book of Genesis, the name Vayishlach means "He sent." The title comes from the opening verse, where "Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom" (Genesis 32:3-4) in some Hebrew Bibles.

This portion recounts Jacob's preparation to meet Esau as he returns to the promised land. Before the meeting, Jacob has a mysterious encounter with an angel in the darkness, who changes his name to Israel. The narrative follows Jacob's journey through Canaan, including the sorrowful loss of his beloved wife, Rachel.

Opening Prayer:

Blessed are You, AdonaiYHVH our Father, Sovereign of Creation, who has given us Your Torahof truth, implanting within us eternal life through Y'shua ourMessiah. Blessed are You, YHVH Eloheinu, Adonai, King of Creation.

Torah:

Genesis 32:3–32:32– Jacob Wrestles with Aravat
Jacob, returning to Canaan, sends messengers to Esau seeking reconciliation. When he learns Esau is coming with 400 men, Jacob is fearful and divides his camp to protect his family. He prays to YHVH for deliverance and sends gifts ahead to pacify Esau.

Genesis 33:1–33:20– Jacob and Esau Reconcile
Jacob and Esau meet. Instead of hostility, Esau embraces Jacob warmly. Despite Esau's invitation to travel together, Jacob chooses to settle in Shechem, building an altar to worship YHVH.

Genesis 34:1–34:31– Dinah and the Events at Shechem
Dinah, Jacob's daughter, visits women in Shechem, leading to the tragic event of her being raped by the prince of Shechem, who desires to marry her. Jacob's sons demand circumcision of the men of Shechem as a condition of marriage, but later, Simeon and Levi attack the city, avenging their sister. Jacob expresses concern about the consequences of their actions.

Genesis 35:1–35:29– YHVH Instructs Jacob to Return to Bethel
YHVH commands Jacob to return to Bethel, where he builds an altar and purifies his household. Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin, and Reuben commits an immoral act with Bilhah, Jacob's concubine. The chapter concludes with the death of Isaac and his burial by Jacob and Esau.

Genesis 36:1–36:43–The Descendants of Esau
This chapter details the descendants of Esau, who became the father of the Edomites. It outlines the chiefs and kings of Edom, emphasizing Esau's legacy and establishing the separation of his lineage from Jacob's.

Targums:

Genesis 32: Jacob, on his journey back to Canaan, encounters malakhim (angels)and fears the meeting with his brother Esau. He sends messengers ahead with gifts to appease Esau. After praying for protection, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious man (the Mal'akh of YAH-(Y'shua) until dawn, where he is blessed and his name is changed to Israel, signifying his struggle with Aravat.

Genesis33:Jacob meets Esau, who surprisingly greets him warmly, showing no anger. The brothers reconcile, and Jacob refuses Esau's gifts, though Esau insists. Jacob settles in Shechem, builds an altar, and names it "El - Elohei - Israel" (YHVH, Father of Israel).