Vayishlach: Summary and Reflections
SUMMARY (Genesis 32:4-36:43)
Jacob prepares to meet Esau, his estranged brother. During the night, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious stranger. He prevails, and the stranger blesses him with a new name: Israel, the God-wrestler. The next morning, Jacob and Esau meet. They hug, kiss, cry, and go their separate ways. Leah’s daughter Dinah goes out to see friends. Shechem coerces her into sex, falls in love, and asks to marry her. Jacob agrees but Dinah’s brothers Simon and Levi trick Shechem’s family and massacre his town. Rachel gives birth to Benjamin, but dies soon after. Jacob buries her near Efrat. Isaac dies; Esau and Jacob bury him. Esau’s large family spreads out and has many distinguished achievements.
Reflections (Links)
Assault on Dina: A Frighteningly Modern Biblical Fable (2017/5778)
Jacob’s Crossings—and Yours (2016/5777)
Life’s Night and Day (Full version) (2013/5774)
Life’s Night and Day (Short version) (2013/5774)
Biblical Genealogy is Fun (2012/5773)
Dinah: Protection or Destruction? (2011/5772)
Ambiguous Kiss (2009/5770)
Your Face is God’s Face (2007/5768)
Image: Wenceslaus Hollar
Apropus the word וישקהו could we see it taken from the root להשקות ? meaning that he served him a משקה a drink i.e. served him an alcoholic drink,? to celebrate the event?
just a thought…..
claire.
Claire, what a great observation! What do you think of the word occurring when Ya’akov meets Rachel at the well?