SEDRA : Vayetze: Hertz Chumash p. 106 Genesis Chap. 28 verse 10

This week's Sedra is generously sponsored by Don Schauder.

SYNOPSIS

Journeying from Beersheba to Charan, Jacob reached"the place" (Mount Moriah) and slept there overnight. In a dreamlike vision, he saw angels ascending and descending a ladder standing on the earth with its top reaching the heavens. G-d then appeared and promised Jacob and his descendants the land he was now resting on and that he would return home under G-d's protection. Upon awaking, Jacob anointed and consecrated the stone he had placed under his head as an altar to G-d vowing that on his safe return to his father's home, he would offer to G-d one-tenth of all his possessions and would worship G-d at the altar he had just consecrated.

Jacob arrived at a well on the outskirts of Charan. Three flocks of sheep and their shepherds had gathered around the well sitting idly. Jacob inquired and learned they were from Charan.

They knew Lavan son of Nachor and, coincidentally, pointed to Rachel his daughter who was arriving with Lavan's sheep. Surprised that they had gathered so early and were not grazing their sheep, the shepherds replied to Jacob that all the shepherds were needed to roll the large stone off the well before they could water their sheep.

As Rachel drew nearer with her father's sheep and Jacob saw her, he was so moved as to roll the heavy stone off the well singlehandedly, and watered Lavan's sheep.
He acquainted Rachel of their familial relationship and she quickly ran to inform her father of his arrival. Lavan welcomed Jacob and agreed that he work as Lavan's shepherd for seven years in order to marry Rachel, whom he had come to love. After the seven years of waiting, Lavan tricked Jacob by substituting his elder daughter, Leah, in place of Rachel under the wedding canopy. He justified this deceit because Leah was older and therefore should be married first. Jacob had no choice but to accept the situation. He soon married Rachel as well after Lavan had extracted a promise of a further seven years' work from him.

Seeing that Leah perceived that Rachel was favoured, G-d caused her to have children while Rachel remained barren. Leah gave birth to Jacob's first four sons: Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehudah. Rachel, realising that she was not having children, followed Sarah's example offering her handmaiden, Bilha, to Jacob as a wife. Bilha bore Jacob his next two sons, Dan and Naftali.

Seeing that she had stopped giving birth, Leah also gave her handmaiden, Zilpah, to Jacob as a wife. Zilpah bore Jacob his next two sons, Gad and Asher. Leah herself then had Yissachar and Zevulun as well as a daughter, Dinah. Finally G-d remembered Rachel and answered her prayers granting her a son whom she called Joseph.
With G-d's help, Jacob became very wealthy, but this aroused the jealously of Lavan and his sons. Consulting with his wives, Jacob decided it was time to leave. So Jacob took his wives, children, and flocks with him while Lavan was away, and began the journey homewards. Rachel, without Jacob's knowledge, had stolen her father's idols (reasoning this would prevent him from worshipping them). Three days later Lavan was told of Jacob's departure, and Lavan pursued him, overtaking him at the mountains of Gilad. G-d appeared to Lavan in a dream warning him not to harm Jacob or make him return to Charan. Lavan upbraided his son-in-law for having left so hurriedly, and accused him of the theft of his idols. Denying the theft, Jacob unwittingly declared that whoever who had taken the idols would die. Lavan's search proved fruitless for Rachel had hidden the idols. Jacob and Lavan then parted, after completing a peace treaty, and Jacob and his household headed homewards. Angels of G-d met Jacob during his travels so he named the place Machanayim.

HAPHTORAH HERTZ CHUMASH P.118 Hosea Chap 12 Verse 13

The Sedra refers to the achievements of Jacob, chosen custodian of the Covenant of Abraham, in his years in Aramea as a fugitive from his brother's hatred. He builds his family who are later to develop into a nation redeemed from Egypt by a great prophet and who then dwell in their land achieving greatness. Israel must learn to appreciate their mission and for what they are valued by G-d.

TELL ME RABBI ... THE WEEK AFTER THE WEDDING

In Jewish tradition couples do not embark upon their honeymoon immediately following the wedding. The celebration of their wedding continues for a full week called Shiva't Y'me Hamishteh - the Seven days of Feasting. These are said to be ordained by Moses and are a custom originating from as far back as Patriarchal times where Jacob's weddings are described.

These celebrations serve as a focal point for Communal rejoicing and for the couple to begin their married life enveloped by the warmth, encouragement and attentions of the community.
The Bride and groom do not work during this week, but focus only on eating, drinking and rejoicing in each other.
Traditionally, each day close relatives or friends host the couple for a festive meal. It is customary for words of Torah to be delivered by the groom and/or the guests. The groom is soon interrupted by singing so as not to shame grooms who are not capable of scholarly discourse.
The meal concludes with Sheva Brachot. A minyan is required which should include at least one person who was not present at the wedding or a previous Sheva Brachot (Panim Chadashot - `new faces').

"Shabbat Shalom" is generously sponsored by Rosetta and Nathan Baron