Tol’dot (History or Generations) B’resheet/Genesis 25:19-28:9
Tol’dot(History)B’resheet/Genesis 25:19-28:9
Haftorah Reading: Malachi 1:1-2:7
This week we study a Torah portion that is filled with intrigue and suspense. It also raises spiritual issues that are very important to each of us. Perhaps it would be best to start with the most difficult first. Who do you sympathize with when you read this portion? Who do you see as the person most at fault when you read these verses?
What Do You Fear? – Vayishlach, Genesis 32
Torah Portion: Vayishlach Genesis 32:4-36:43
HafTorah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21
Matthew 26:36-46, Hebrews 11:11-20
Tonight we look at the Torah section that brings Jacob back to the Land. It covers his reunion with his brother as well as the death of his first love, Rachel.
I want us to look at a couple of things that I think the L-rd has for us tonight. First I want to explore the last question that I sent out to you. Why did Jacob fear Esau? He had heard the promises of G-d and experienced the blessings of G-d so why do we see him here overcome with fear? Remember he had recently dealt with Laban who also persecuted him yet he showed no fear in this meeting. So why here? Maybe he was feeling guilt for what he had done to Esau. Maybe he thought Esau had held on to his anger for 20 + years. Remember Rebecca had said she would send for him when Esau’s anger cooled. Yet she never did. So maybe his anger never cooled. It could have been a number of things. So it is hard to settle on one.