Vayishlach (He Sent) Gen 32-36
Torah Portion: Vayishlach (He Sent) B’Resheet (Gen.) 32:4-36:43
HafTorah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21
In Genesis 32:12 we read Jacob’s prayer for deliverance from Esau. What is odd about this prayer? In Genesis 28:15 and in Genesis 31:3 we read where G-d promises him that He will return him, bless him and do good for him. Now the blessing in Genesis 28:15 occurs 20 years or so in the past so maybe it had grown dim in Jacob’s memory but here the last blessing where G-d reinforces His blessing is very recent. Jacob surely remembered it. So why was he afraid of Esau? If G-d promises us something what would cause us to doubt it or should doubt ever enter into our spirit? Can a divine promise be canceled?
Chol HaMo’ed Sukkot Exodus 33
Torah Portion: Chol Ha Mo’ed Sukkot Exodus 33:12-34:26
Today is the Shabbat that falls in the intermediate days of Sukkot. In this section of scripture two things tie it to the holiday of Sukkot. In Exodus 34:22 the holiday is mentioned in the list of appointed times. In Chapter 33 G-d appears to Moses. In I Kings during the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the presence of G-d appears in the temple. As a result the priests could not minister or even go into the temple.