Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayetzei - Jacob Receives His Inheritance !!!
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. Genesis 28:12
In Remembrance - 78th Pearl Harbor Day
December 7, 1941 - 'A Date Which Will Live In Infamy'
In Mourning - 4 Dead at Naval Air Station - Pensacola, FL
December 6, 2019
Previously posted ...
Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Toldot - Power of the Father's Blessing !!!
http://conpats.blogspot.com/
Baruch Hashem Adonai
#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to Vayetzei (And He Left), this week’s study of the Word of God. This is the portion of Scripture that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service. Please read along with us; we know you will be blessed! Enjoy!
Last week, in Parasha Toldot, Isaac’s wife Rebecca had a difficult pregnancy as the twin boys jostled within her. When she inquired of the Lord, He told her that two nations were in her womb and the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). This week, Parasha Vayetzei (וַיֵּצֵא) describes Jacob’s travels to Harran, his mother's homeland, to find a wife and to flee the murderous plot of his brother Esau.
You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...
Vayetzei: Jacob Receives His Inheritance
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Parasha Reading Schedule 5780
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Jewish holiday calendars & Hebrew date converter
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>> http://www.wildolive.co.uk/
Jewish and Israeli holidays 2000–2050
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Zmanim / Halachic - Times performed at specific times
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Special Shabbatot
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The First Shabbat Celebrated (1313 BCE) A Brief History of Shabbat
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Shabbat: An Island in Time
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English to Hebrew to English lookup
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The Best Jewish Words You Need To Know: A Yiddish and Hebrew Glossary
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A Living Library of Jewish Texts in Hebrew and English translation.
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Why Are Christians Adopting Jewish Practice of Studying the Weekly Torah Portion?
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Restoring the Way Messianic Homeschooling
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Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible.
http://free.messianicbible.
https://free.messianicbible.
God Is Not God's Name - http://www.yhwh.com/GINGN/
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
https://free.messianicbible.
The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb
http://free.messianicbible.
Is Nazareth Prophesied in Bible Prophecy?
https://free.messianicbible.
21 Major Messianic Prophecies
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15 Moshiach Facts Every Jew Should Know
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10 Sacred Texts of Judaism
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10 Jubilee Facts to Know
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Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
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When to Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday ...
The Joy of Tabernacles when Jesus was Born
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How Yeshua was born on the Feast of Tabernacles by Rabbi Isaac
http://www.calledoutbelievers.
What others have said concerning Yeshua's birth ...
Jesus was born on the first day of the Jewish New Year, known as Nissan 1, in 6 B.C
Rabbi Jonathan Cahn> https://youtu.be/ptlsXtTf6n0 (27:20) .
Dr. Michael Heiser - Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) - Tishri 1, 3759 / September 10, 3 B.C.
> https://youtu.be/zYW7EgLcxc4 (40:33) http://www.cgsf.org/dbeattie/
Holy Hebrew Arithmetic: What Age was Jesus when he became Teacher-Priest?
https://www.jpost.com/Blogs/
The Daniel Timeline
http://www.davidjayjordan.com/
The Book of Revelation In Words of Understanding - Sermon Series (96 page pdf)
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Is Grace Enough?
The concept of God’s grace did not begin in the New Testament. The idea that the Old Testament and Judaism is a religion of laws while the New Testament and Christianity is a religion of grace is simply not correct. Grace originates in the character of God, who does not change.
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Parshat Vayeitzei
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Simchat Torah Beit Midrash - Joy of God’s Teaching and Instruction
Vayeitzei and he departed
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Online Shabbat Services and Midrash
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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Isaac ...
#7 Parashah Vayetze with Torah and Haftarah video studies
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vid> https://youtu.be/IAoL_ijlELY (1:52:34)
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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ...
Weekly Torah Portion: Vayeitzei
Why was it so urgent for Yaakov to stop at that specific place at that specific moment as he was fleeing from his brother's murderous wrath? Why did G-d warp time and space to make it happen? What happens when our path intersects with G-d's will?
Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10 - 32:3) Parashat Vayeitzei is read on Shabbat: Kislev 10, 5780 / December 7, 2019
vid> https://youtu.be/9sprJ7rc-s4 (21:56) 12/4/19
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Temple Talk, with Rabbi Chaim RIchman and Yitzchak Reuven was not recorded this week.
Next week, with the help of HaShem, a new Temple Talk show will be posted.
Hillel and Chaim are on tour presenting The Light of the Menorah in Texas, Arkansas and Colorado.
There are three opportunities to see and hear this presentation in the United States on December 9th, 15th, 17th ...
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End-Time Prophecy: Why is the Third Temple so Important?
These phenomenal end-time events are unfolding before our very eyes!
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Hillel Richman: The True Location of the Temple Mount: Fully Illustrated
> https://youtu.be/dh5yQiPYuo0 (53:52) 11/11/18 in Lubbock, TX
Rabbi Chaim Richman: The Dedication of the Third Temple
> https://youtu.be/BrU_p7F_mDQ (46:20) 11/11/18 in Lubbock, TX
Special ... Rabbanit Rena Richman: On Suffering
> https://youtu.be/mUY6nz-D-NE (55:43) 11/11/18 in Lubbock, TX
Update On 3rd Temple In Jerusalem
> https://youtu.be/98fJNMSXC8U (15:47) Shaking My Head Productions 3/26/19
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The Coming Temple - Full Documentary
> https://youtu.be/oKTO8YYs29c (48:17) NuBeat Music 12/21/16
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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...
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The Portion of Vayeitzei
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The Israel Bible side-by-side English and Hebrew text along with audio being read in Hebrew.
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You can read Hebrew - The Scholar Set
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NY: Mysterious Fire Engulfs House of Anti-Israel Cult
by David Sidman
Right after Ultra-orthodox anti-Israel leader Rabbi Dovid Feldman told Iran’s Press TV that Israel uses Judaism to justify its “crimes” against Palestinians”, a house that his cult uses mysteriously burned down. A house in Monsey, NY that was managed by a leader of the radical anti-Israel Neturei Karta movement burned down in a mysterious fire on Wednesday, Arutz 7 reported.
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How Do I Know the Messiah is Coming? – Rabbi Alon Anava
by Video Manager
When is the redemption supposed to happen? What is the battle of Gog Umagog (Armageddon)? What are the effects of technology on the Jewish soul? Although some scholars believed that G-d has set aside a specific date for the coming of the messiah, most authorities suggest that the conduct of mankind will determine the time of the coming of the messiah. Rabbi Anava with intriguing insights on the messiah & the redemption.
vid> https://youtu.be/eUFvw4XQIFM
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Israelis Explain how they will Know if the Messiah has Arrived
by Video Manager
Individual Israelis, selected at random for an interview to find out how they know the Messiah has arrived.
vid> https://youtu.be/D8jf_PTSY_Y
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4 incredible recent archaeological findings in Israel
by Video Manager
Anywhere in Israel, you are bound to be close to a piece of ancient history! From the tiniest of biblical seals, to literally whole cities found buried underground, here are 4 incredible archaeological findings in Israel.
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2 FREE bumper stickers - I Stand with Israel
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Hebrew “Trump 2020” Bumper Sticker
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Jared and Ivanka Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ...
Shana Tova to the Jewish people in the U.S., Israel and around the world!
May it be a sweet new year for all! Happy #RoshHashanah - 5780
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As we begin this holiest of days, Yom Kippur - 5780
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That’s a wrap! - 5780
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Arabella's 'Winter' Puppy Love - 5780
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Happy Thanksgiving! - 5780
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#USMCA Signed - Where is Congress - 5780
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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 18+ years ...
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION
Trump saved NATO and is re-purposing it.
As the Democrats toil to make their impeachment effort look like something other than a partisan smear job and legal scam, President Trump is at the NATO leaders’ meeting in London, observing the 70th anniversary of that organization, and is able to take some pleasure in the success of his foreign policy. The President’s enemies, who have swarmed in the press every day since he declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination — first in derisive hilarity, then in a rising state of alarm, and finally in seething hatred — claim that he has alienated allies, swaggered absurdly, and generally brought the United States into disrepute while accomplishing nothing useful and giving comfort to the nation’s rivals and opponents
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Marking a first, 11 EU countries vote against anti-Israel UN resolution
Tuesday’s vote was a sign the status quo at the UN is beginning to change. On Tuesday, the beginnings of that change – according to Israeli officials – could be felt. Eleven EU countries, plus Latin American powers Brazil and Colombia, voted for the first time against a resolution that has passed every year since 1977 mandating a special “Division for Palestinian Rights” inside the UN Secretariat, devoted to promoting the Palestinian narrative against Israel. The resolution still passed by a whopping 87-23, with 54 abstentions. But what was significant was that 11 EU countries that abstained in the past this year joined Hungary – which broke ranks with the EU last year – and voted against the resolution.
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Claims of “Jew Coup Against Trump” and “Jews Defiling America” Illicit Response
Laurie Cardoza Moore, President and Founder of Proclaiming Justice to The Nations and Special Envoy to the UN for the World Council of Independent Christian Churches (WCICC), condemns the antisemitic statements by the radio broadcast host Rick Wiles as heretical and believes they will ultimately incite violence against Jews.
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Trump and Netanyahu confirm US-Israel military coordination against threatened Iranian attack
The Trump-Netanyahu conversation on Sunday night, Dec. 1, finalized the arrangements for military coordination against Iran that were set up during recent US generals’ talks in visits to Israel, DEBKAfile reports. The exchange between the US President and Israeli Prime Minister, covering “the threat from Iran” and “other critical bilateral and region issues,” took place ahead of the NATO summit in London this week and against the background of fresh threats from Tehran against the US and Israel.
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Ted Belman - 12/3/17
https://youtu.be/EO5kIMNtZwA (1:08:08) Alexander Gendler 12/3/17
The “Jordan-is-Palestine” idea, as the preferred resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conference was organized together with Mudar Zahran, Secretary-General of the Jordan Opposition Coalition, who lives in England under the protection of that country's police.
>> The Jordan Option, plain and simple
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>> The Jordanian Option is the only game in town
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Who Are the Tribes of Judah?
https://www.jewishvoice.org/
Who are the “Lost Tribes of Israel” w map
The “Lost Tribes of Israel” are the physical descendants of Israel (Jacob) who – through expulsion,
captivity or – have become disassociated from the generally recognized worldwide Jewish community.
https://www.jewishvoice.org/
> https://www.jewishvoice.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
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12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim
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Jewish Internal Distinctions
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Types of Jews: Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi and More
vid> https://youtu.be/ZUHP6ot-JPg (1:40)
What is Hasidic Judaism? A Brief History of the Movement
vid> https://youtu.be/_SX_TjEG4i4 (5:38)
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Israel's Good News Newsletter to 1st Dec 19 edition
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Yavoh ~ He is coming !
Yahweh - Yeshua - Ruach Ha-Kodesh
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה
BREAKING NEWS FROM ISRAEL
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Watching for Yeshua Ha-Mashiach
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Pray at the Kotel - the Western Wailing Wall
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When we first encounter Jacob at the beginning of parsha Vayeitzei, he is a fugitive. Jacob is fleeing the wrath of Esau following the theft of his brother's birthright and seeks comfort and peace in Haran. When he leaves the land of his fathers, Jacob is a wealthy man, changed by time and circumstances to become the father of a great nation. What is his secret? It starts with faith and it ends with lamb. Inspired by the vision of the ladder and angels, Jacob sees a future of great hope and promise. He meets Laban and learns the ways of the shepherd. It is his success that merits the marriage to Leah and Rachel. When Laban continues his pattern of doublecross and doublespeak, Jacob doubles down, too. Jacob bargains for his share of the flock and his household and livestock multiply exceedingly. It seems fitting to celebrate this Shabbat with lamb. I love the simplicity of the presentation and how the layered skewers evoke the steps of Jacob's ladder to heaven.
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OMG Does It Get Better Than This???
These latkes are easy, fool-proof, crowd pleasers that must make an appearance at your holiday party!
vid> https://youtu.be/0jaLgA7Ynoc (1:15) JewLishhttps://jamiegeller.com/
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Latke Chanukah Jackpot ...
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What Time Is Candle Lighting???
Challah in a bag
vid> https://youtu.be/sjmILw86U34 (1:00) JewLish
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Shabbat Shalom, Lots of
Sorry Dunk'in - we've have 6,000+ years experience over you, just say'in ;-) ...
Hanukkah Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts) – In A Bag
vid> https://youtu.be/XGR3q7NEUls (0:52) JewLish
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How To Get Dinnertime Smiles! :)
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Rock'n The Moroccan Food!
Stick with this and wow your guests!
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Desserts You Gotta See
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Feast Your Eyes on This...
Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
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Mazel Tov!!! IT'S No Mistaking Baking ~ 85+ perfect baking every time recipes
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Free Gluten-Free Sides eBook
20 Inspiring Ideas - Sides dishes that just happen to be gluten free and Kosher For Passover
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Today Show vid - Jamie Geller’s tasty brisket with apples and honey cake (4:44)
> https://www.today.com/video/
> https://youtu.be/mpgS1toiYqA (5:46) https://jamiegeller.com/
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Today Show vid - Cooking Brisket 101 w Megyn Kelly (4:47)
> https://www.today.com/video/
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Brisket 101> https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-
Today Show vid - Use matzo in 4 different ways for Passover w Megyn Kelly (4:54)
> https://www.today.com/food/
Matzo Balls by Jamie Geller
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Today Show vid - How to make delicious latkes and babkas (3:47)
> https://www.today.com/video/
8 Epic Latke Sliders Bonus instavid> https://www.instagram.com/p/
Shabbat Menus
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42 Cooking Tips Because You Asked For Them
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Easy homemade unique BBQ sauce recipes
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The Most Popular Recipe - Year 2017
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vid> https://youtu.be/ApKzja2XnWE (6:39)
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How To Gain Confidence In The Kitchen
– you are not doomed to walk the frozen food aisles forever
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Missing an ingredient? Improvise
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All About (Kosher) Bacon
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How To Tell The Quality of Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO Colavita
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vid> https://youtu.be/6fyNI0Iv2m8 (1:44)
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Home of JOY of KOSHER with Jamie Geller
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Our mailing addresses are:
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Jamie Geller Welcome's You
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My Love Affair With Jerusalem
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Media
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Jamie Geller's 2019 Show Reel
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Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayetzei - Jacob Receives His Inheritance !!!
Welcome to Vayetzei (And He Left),
this week’s study of the Word of God.
Shabbat Shalom
This is the portion of Scripture that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service. Enjoy!
PARASHA VAYETZEI (And He Left)
Genesis 28:10–32:2[3]; Hosea 12:13–14:9[10]; John 4:1–26
Genesis 28:10–32:2[3]; Hosea 12:13–14:9[10]; John 4:1–26
“And Jacob went out from Beersheba.” (Genesis 28:10)
Last week, in Parasha Toldot, Isaac’s wife Rebecca had a difficult pregnancy as the twin boys jostled within her. When she inquired of the Lord, He told her that two nations were in her womb and the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob).
This week, Parasha Vayetzei (וַיֵּצֵא) describes Jacob’s travels to Harran, his mother's homeland, to find a wife and to flee the murderous plot of his brother Esau.
Reading the Torah at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem
(Photo by Kyle Taylor)
Jacob Leaves His Comfort Zone
Jacob was not a rough and tough adventurer like his brother, Esau. He had a quiet personality from birth, preferring to be at home rather than out in the woods hunting for game.
So, the call to leave his home for another land (like the call of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac) may have caused much anxiety — perhaps doubly so since he was running to save his life, at his mother’s insistence.
On the other hand, Jacob had just received an extraordinary blessing from his father Isaac of “heaven’s dew and earth’s richness, an abundance of grain and new wine” with a promise of nations serving and bowing down to him (Genesis 27:28–29).
So Jacob set out for Harran, much blessed. Even so, instead of his comfortable bed or a warm inn at the side of the road, he spent his first night sleeping on the cold, hard ground without any kind of physical shelter and only stones for a pillow.
Jacob's Dream, by José de Ribera
Jacob Receives His Spiritual Inheritance
“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.” (Genesis 28:12)
Any anxiety Jacob had that night must have fled his spirit when the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
In that dream, God was standing at the top of a ladder that reached into the heavens, with angels going up and down it. There, He promised to give Jacob the same inheritance He gave Abraham and Isaac
— the land upon which he lay:
— the land upon which he lay:
“And, behold, the LORD [YHVH] stood beside him, and said: 'I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land upon which you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed.”
(Genesis 28:13)
(Genesis 28:13)
It is clear through this Scripture that the Divine title deed to this land belongs to the seed of Jacob (whose name was later changed to Israel) and not the seed of his brother, Esau, who is the forefather of many of the Arabic people currently living in the Land.
It’s also easy to see that some of these descendants of Esau still hate their “brother Jacob” and seek to kill his descendants
— the Jewish People.
— the Jewish People.
Jacob's Dream (c. 1691), by Michael Willmann
Jacob awoke from his dream filled with awe, delighting in the presence of the One True God; and for that reason, he called the place Bethel or Beit–El (House of God). In truth, though, any place can become a “house of God” when His holy Presence invades the space.
The ancient Jewish rabbis viewed this pivotal encounter with God as Jacob’s spiritual awakening.
It is here that he entered the role of spiritual forefather, moving forward in the promises given to his grandfather, Abraham — not only to receive the land, but also to bear fruit and bring blessing to generation after generation of all peoples of the earth:
“Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.”
(Genesis 28:14)
(Genesis 28:14)
A man prays at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
What perhaps began as a journey of obedience to His parents now became a journey with God Himself:
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15)
While Abraham and Isaac had their own very personal encounters with God, until this time, it seems that Jacob had no such encounter. But as God reveals His power and presence, Jacob responds with clarity and a simple faith, saying:
“If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God.”
(Genesis 28:20–21)
(Genesis 28:20–21)
In accepting the Lordship of Adonai over his life, Jacob is not waiting for riches before he serves Him and he also makes this commitment to Him:
“This stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will give You a tenth.” (Genesis 28:22)
When we honor the Lord’s real presence in our lives and reinvest our resources back into His work through tithing, offerings, and serving, we acknowledge that He is Lord over our lives, that He provides us protection, food, clothing, and shelter and that He alone is worthy of adoration and praise all the time, everywhere.
A Jewish toddler puts money in the tzedakah (charity) box, which
many Jewish families use to collect money for the poor and other
charitable purposes.
Jacob Encounters Living Water
“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.” (Genesis 29:10)
By the time Jacob arrives at his uncle Laban’s land, it seems that he had undergone a remarkable transformation. Earlier on, he had been described as a tent-dweller, in contrast to his rugged brother Esau who was an outdoorsman.
Traditionally in Judaism, Jacob is described as a scholar.
Yet, suddenly it seems that he actually possesses remarkable strength. He is able to single-handedly move the heavy stone off of a community well in order to give water to his uncle’s sheep.
Either he possessed this strength all along, or it developed as he journeyed in faith and obedience.
If the first is true, then he is a remarkable example of someone who led a balanced life, not neglecting the need to develop his external strength as he developed his internal strength.
If the second is true, then he is an example to all of us as to how we can be transformed in our walk with Adonai.
If we keep in mind that moving the stone single-handedly was a feat fit for Samson, there is room for both to be true.
Jacob and Rebecca, by Otto Semler
Much is made of this meeting at the well in Judaism’s oral tradition, and there are several interpretations, each perhaps building on the other.
Among them, the well is thought to represent Zion, and the three flocks Babylon, Persia, and Greece, imperial powers that drew from the well the wealth of Israel and the Holy Temple.
In this interpretation, the rolling back of the stone represents the future Messianic Age when exile will end and God redeems His people.
The well is also interpreted as being the water of Torah, from which Jewish leadership draws in order to learn how to rule.
Water is a rich symbol in Jewish writing, and in Jeremiah 2:13, God calls Himself the "spring of living water." Life flows from Him.
Along this vein of thinking, then, the water in the well can also be seen to represent Yeshua, who proclaimed, "Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:38)
It is only through Yeshua, the source of living water, that anyone can come to the Father to receive the gift of salvation.
“Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
An empty tomb in Israel with a huge stone that would have been rolled
in front of the door.
The rolling away of the stone perhaps also reminds us of the miraculous rolling away of another stone — the one that covered Yeshua’s burial place. When that stone was rolled away, the resurrection of Yeshua was revealed.
Prophetically, once Israel sees Yeshua as the Messiah who died, was buried, and rose again, then resurrection life will come to the entire world.
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15)
So many people are thirsting today for a real relationship with the Living God. This is why it is so important that we bring the Word of God from Jerusalem to the nations. (Isaiah 2:3)
“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)
An Orthodox Jewish man drinks water at a fountain at the Western (Wailing) Wall
in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Destiny and the Love of Jacob's Life
In an encounter that is reminiscent of Abraham’s servant finding a bride for Isaac at a well, Jacob meets his bride-to-be at a well, perhaps the very same well.
It is a divine appointment. Jacob falls in love at first sight, understanding that she is his bashert, a Yiddish word meaning destiny or from God. In regard to marriage, bashert has evolved into the modern idea of a “soul mate” predestined by God.
He is so smitten by the beautiful Rachel, daughter of his uncle Laban, that he agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage (although, he was tricked by Laban into working 14 years):
“And Jacob loved Rachel; and he said: 'I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.’” (Genesis 29:18)
Jacob and Rachel at the Well (The Ideal Holy Bible, 1908)
This work agreement shows Jacob’s great integrity as a man who is not relying on God to simply hand him every good thing on a silver platter, as his father’s blessing back home or God’s promises at Bethel might suggest. Nor did he go back to his father to ask for money.
For 20 years in Harran, Jacob worked hard, paying his own way. He protected and nurtured the flocks and herds of Laban as an honest servant, prospering both himself and Laban.
Laban, however, was not the model father-in-law, nor was he an honest, upright businessman. Not only did Laban trick Jacob into first marrying Rachel’s older sister, Leah, but Laban also tried to cheat Jacob out of his fair wages several times.
Laban's name in Hebrew means “white.”
Names in Biblical times often revealed the character and destiny of the name bearer and, in Laban's case, there may have been a connection to leprosy.
Regardless, we must be wise and discern a person's character, not being deceived by someone that appears to be clean or pure, since even the devil himself can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Bedouin shepherd in Israel (Father of Ishmael Khaldi, the first
Bedouin diplomat in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
(Photo by Robert Scoble)
The Twelve Tribes Receive Their Names
Today, many Jewish children are named after one of their ancestors; however, in Biblical times, the name of a child could reflect the mother’s state of mind when giving birth or the hope for the child's future.
Leah named nine of Jacob's children and Rachel named four — these 13 children comprised one daughter and 12 sons. All 12 except for the Levites would receive portions of the Promised Land as the inheritance for each of their tribes, according to God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Levites received God as their inheritance and the responsibility to serve Him in His Temple while being supported by the other tribes through tithes and offerings.
(Deuteronomy 10:9; Numbers 18:24; Joshua 18:7)
(Deuteronomy 10:9; Numbers 18:24; Joshua 18:7)
The remaining tribes and land allotments were comprised of two of Joseph's sons — Manasseh and Ephraim.
Jewish women pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall
Leah called their first son Reuben (רְאוּבֵן), from a Hebrew word Re’eh (see) because God had seen her state of being unloved and had, therefore, blessed her with a son.
“And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said: 'Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.’” (Genesis 29:32)
In one case, Jacob overruled a naming decision. When Rachel knew she was about to die giving birth to her second son, she called him Ben-Oni (son of my sorrow). Jacob changed his name to Ben-Yamin — Benjamin (son at my right hand) to better reflect his destiny.
Each of the children received names that reflected family hopes or circumstances (but you will have to read the Torah portion for this Shabbat to discover why they were given these names).
- Reuben—See, a son
- Simeon—Hearing
- Levi—Joined; attached
- Judah—Yah be praised
- Dan—Judge
- Naphtali—My wrestling
- Gad—Troop; invader; good fortune
- Asher—Happy
- Issachar—Man of hire
- Zebulun—Dwelling
- Dinah—Judged or Vindicated
- Joseph—Increaser or God will increase
- Benjamin—Son of my right hand
Israeli siblings cross the road together in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood
of Jerusalem.
At the end of this Parasha, Jacob begins his journey home. In the next Parasha, Jacob prepares to encounter his rival brother Esau after 20 years of estrangement.
On the way, Jacob will also encounter a Divine messenger who will change his name from Yaacov (Jacob — referring to the heel of the foot) to Yisrael (Israel — one who struggles with God).
Today, the ancient rivalry between the brothers still seems to remain, but that is not the only struggle the Jewish People face. They also struggle with understanding the prophetic Scriptures and the issue of who Messiah really is.
Please pray for the eternal salvation of the Jewish People that all will come to a personal faith in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
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