Vayetze
Parshat Vayetze This morning we begin reading about the exploits of our third patriarch, Jacob, and his family. The rest of the book of Genesis is devoted to Jacob and his family. As you follow the reading this morning, try to connect the events that occur resulting from Jacob’s relationship with Laban to Jacob’s earlier life.
First Aliyah Genesis chapter 28:10-22 pp. 106-107
Jacob leaves home in Beer-Sheva and heads in the direction of Haran, the location of Rebecca’s family. One night he has a dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder from heaven. God then speaks and tells Jacob that he is destined to inherit the land, and He will always be with him. Jacob awakes, sets a stone pillar on the spot, and dedicates the spot as Beth El (house of God). Jacob vows that if God will be with him, will give him food, and ensure his safe return, the Lord will be his God.
Second Aliyah 29:1-17 pp. 107-108
Jacob arrives at a well and asks the shepherds if they know Laban of Haran. They said they did and that Rachel, his daughter, was just arriving with the flock. He approaches her, kisses her, and tells her who he is. She runs home to get her father. Laban welcomes Jacob to his home and Jacob stays a month. Laban asks Jacob what he would like as compensation for working for him.
Third Aliyah 29:18-30; 13 p. 109-111
Jacob says he’ll work seven years for Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter. Laban agrees and the seven years seem to Jacob like a few days. At the end, Laban tricks Jacob on the wedding night by giving him the older Leah instead of Rachel. Jacob accuses Laban of cheating and Laban replies that the older must be married first. He makes Jacob work seven more years. God saw that Jacob didn’t like Leah, so He caused Rachel to be barren. Leah had four sons. Rachel is jealous and has Jacob marry her maid and have children through her. Leah has Jacob do the same with her maid.
Fourth Aliyah - 30:14-27 pp. 111-112
Leah has two more sons and a daughter, thinking all the while that surely now she’ll be loved by Jacob. Finally, Rachel conceives and gives birth to Joseph. At this point, Jacob asks Laban for permission to leave with his wives and children.
Fifth Aliyah - 30:28-31:16 pp. 112-114
Laban asks Jacob what compensation he wants. Jacob says he’ll take all the spotted and speckled goats and sheep. Laban then takes all the spotted and speckled goats and sheep and tells his shepherd to take them far away. Jacob performs a magical trick with the watering trough so that the regular sheep and goats give birth to spotted and speckled sheep and goats. Jacob leaves and God tells him that He’ll be with him.
Sixth Aliyah -31:17-42 pp. 114-116
The whole family leaves and Rachel takes her father’s idols. After three days Laban gives chase. He catches up and accuses Jacob of stealing his idols. Laban searches and cannot find them.
Seventh Aliyah - 31:43-32:3 p. 116-117
Jacob and Laban set up a pile of stones to be a testament to their agreement not to harm one another.
Maftir - 32:1-3 p. 117
Haftorah - Hosea 12:13-14:10 pp. 118-121
Hosea prophesied in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The people of Israel had abandoned God and had begun to worship Ba’al. Hosea reminds the people of how Jacob found God while traveling to Haran.
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