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VAYISHLACH “And he sent”
5 DEC 2009
Genesis 32:3(4)-36:43
Obadiah –“the whole book” one of the shortest books of the
Bible.
Mathew 26:36-46
Below you will find a brief description of this week’s
Parasha:
This Torah portion takes place as Jacob sends messengers to
greet his brother Esau who is prepared for battle. He applies a
three-fold strategy: prayer, diplomacy and war.
He first has a time of prayer when he meets the L-rd. It
is during this spiritual battle that his name is changed from Ya’akov
(Jacob) to Israel. Also, during this battle, his hip is touched and for
the rest of his life he walks with a limp to remind him of this
encounter. As a remembrance of this event, the Jewish people even today
do not eat that part of an animal’s body.
Diplomacy took over as Israel decided what strategy to use
to reconcile with his brother. He divided his family into two sections,
feeling that if one group is attacked, the other will be able to escape.
Then he sent a great gift to his brother Esau consisting of massive
amounts of livestock. The servants were instructed to inform Esau that
this wonderful gift came from his brother Jacob. He then placed himself
in the front of the group, which included the maidservants and their
children. Following were Leah and her children. Finally, Rachel and
Joseph took up the rear. Jacob was prepared for war, if need be, with his
brother Esau.
At this point, the brothers met again after 20 years. They
greeted each other with a holy kiss. They spent time reminiscing and
enjoying each other’s company. No war! Afterwards, they separated, Esau
returning to Seir and Ya’akov settling outside of Shechem.
While in the region of Shechem, we are told that Ya’akov’s
daughter, Dina, was abducted and raped by Shechem, son of Hamor. Simon
and Levy, two of Ya’akov’s sons (Dina’s brothers), plotted and succeeded
in killing the entire male population because of dishonor committed upon
their sister.
Because of this event, Simon and Levy did not qualify for
the rights of the first born after they were taken away from their older
brother Rueben. He defiled his father’s bed by sleeping with Bilha,
Jacob’s concubine, and lost his rights as well. Thus, the rights of the
first born son went to the fourth son, Judah, who received the scepter
which was eventually passed on to King David; passing down to Messiah
Yeshua.
The Torah portion continues telling of the death of Rachel
as she gives birth to Benjamin near Beth-lechem (Bethlehem). Following is
the death of Isaac. Both Ya’acov and Esau buried their father Isaac.
The final sections tell of Esau’s descendants.
In the Haf Torah portion, Obadiah tells of the actions of
the children of Esau against the children of Ya’akov, Israel, and the
punishments thereof.
Shalom U’Bracha
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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