Parsha Summary and Questions

Fleeing from Esav, Yakov leaves Be'er Sheva and sets out towards Charan, the home of his mother's family. After a fourteen year stopover in the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever, he resumes his journey and comes to Mount Moriah, the place where his father Yitzchak was brought as an offering, and the future site of the Beit Hamikdash. He lays down to sleep and has a prophetic dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder between heaven and earth. Hashem promises him the Land of Israel, that he will found a great nation and that he will be guarded by Divine protection everywhere. Yakov awakes and vows to build an altar there and tithe all that he will receive. Then he travels to Charan and meets his cousin Rachel at the well. He arranges with her father, Lavan, to work seven years for her hand in marriage, but Lavan deceives Yakov and substitutes Rachel's elder sister, Leah. Yakov commits himself to work another seven years in order to also marry Rachel. Leah bears him four sons - Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehuda - the first Tribes of Israel. Rachel is jealous that she cannot conceive, and gives her handmaiden Bilhah to Yakov. Bilhah bears Dan and Naftali. Leah also gives Yakov her handmaiden Zilpah, who bears Gad and Asher. Leah now gives birth to Yissachar, Zevulun, and a daughter, Dina. Hashem finally blesses Rachel with a son, Yosef. Yakov decides to leave Lavan, but Lavan, aware of the wealth Yakov has made for him, is reluctant to let him go, and concludes a contract of employment with him. Lavan tries again to swindle Yakov but is unsuccessful, and Yakov becomes extremely wealthy. Six years later, Yakov, aware that Lavan has become resentful of his wealth, takes advantage of his father-in-law's temporary absence and flees with his family. Lavan pursues them but is warned by Hashem not to harm them. Yakov and Lavan agree to a covenant and Lavan returns home. Yakov continues on his way to face his brother Esav.

Parshat Vayetzah
Question for Grades 1 - 2

1.Upon what did  Yakov lay his head to rest? ( 28:11) 
2. What did Yakov do that the other shepreds were not able to do? (29:10)  

3. How did Lavan greet Yakov? (29:13) 

4. What did Yakov say he wanted in return for working for Lavan? (29:18) 

5. How many daughters did Lavan have, and what were their names?  

6. How did Lavan trick Yakov? (29:24) 

Questions for Grades 3- 5 

1. What two promises did Hashem make to Yakov in his dream? (28:13-14)  

2. What was Lavan’s answer to Yakov when asked why he tricked him? (29:26)  

3. How many additional years did Yakov work to marry Rachel? (29:27) 

BONUS - How long did Yakov need to wait until he married Rachel? (Look closely at 29:28)

4. What was the name of  Leah’s daughter? (30:21) 

5. What areTeraphim? Who stole them(Rashi 31:19)  

6.What did Yakov say would happen to the person who had the idols? (31:32) 

The blink of an Eye..Follow your instincts

At the Shabbat Assembly last week I discussed with the students the power of a "blink". That moment in time when your think without thinking. You make decision based on what you see in that instance. In the Parhsa of Tolodot we have the episode of Yitzchok's blessings to Yaakov. Let's look for Yitzchok "blink" moment.  Realizing the he was getting older and about to die, Yitzchok sends Esav to prepare food for him so he can eat and then give him a Beracha before he dies. Esav leaves and Rivkah tells Yaakov now is the time to get the Blessings. Yaakov bring the food into his father's tent and the reaction right away from Yitzchok is, "Who are you?" Yitzchok's first response was how can this be it is too quick for all the food to prepared. Then Yitzchok starts a process and he talks to this son, feels the skin of this son, smells the scent of this son, and is convinced by his investigation that this is indeed Esav and he blesses accordingly. Almost immediately right after Yaakov leave the tent Esav walks in with all the food and tells his father he is ready. Yitzchok is shocked and afraid. He was right his first inclination was a correct one. The first person was Yaakov not Esav. Although the first born blessing needed to go to Yaakov as part of Hashem's plan for the future of Bnei Yisrael we can still learn that the "blink" is right most of the time.  There are times each day that we need to make decisions and we need to trust our instincts and make those
decisions. It could happen on a test when we see and questions and are not sure about the answer. Always go with your first choice. It could happen on the bus when you are not sure if it is the right thing to do.  Your first feeling about it is most probably correct. It happens when we talk and play with our friends. Should I say this or play it this way? always go with what you feel in your gut, in to stomach.  To quote form Malcom Gladwell's website "Blink reveals that great decision makers aren’t those who process the most..."  

How do we treat guests - What we can learn from Rivkah

 At the Shabbat Assemby we spoke about what we can learn from Rivkah at the well with Eliezer. What do we do when  we meet people? Or have guests?  Based in a word in the pasuk the Midrash tells us that the water came up to meet Rivkah. When she gave water to Eliezer it was easy, the water was right there. That was nice but what really impressed Eliezer was how Rivkah Drew water for the animals. She goes back to the well and needs to lower the bucket all the way and pull it up many times to give drinks to the camels. Notice here, there is no word in the pasukim for the Midrash to link to a water miracle. Rivkah needed to do this act of kindness all by herself. It is after this that Eliezer realizes this is the person for Yitzchok.   We can learn from Rivkah that we need to make efforts to do kindness for others. It is not easy at times, but our efforts show people that we care about them. It just the way want to be treated. 

It is all in the Name Yitzchok

I shared with the students in grades 1-3 the idea that names in Tanach mean something, and that our names mean something, too. Looking at the naming of Yitzchok, the son of Avraham and Sarah, there  are hints to his name from the first news of his birth. Avraham is told that he will have a son and he falls on his face and "laughs" ויצחק (V'yitzchok). Later, the three messengers come to Avraham at the tent, where Sarah overhears the news and laughs to herself ותצחק (v"tizchok).   Some commentaries explain this laughter as a joyous emotion in response to the great news of a child in their future. Finally, when the child arrives it is not a surprise that they name him Yitzchok. What does this name have to do with his personality? Most people will tell you that Yitzchok's greatest attribute was his strength. How does the name Yitzchok, which is most commonly translated as laughter, show strength?

I read that Yitzchok's strength was in his ability to laugh things off. In a difficult world, Yitzchok tried not to let things bother him. This is a huge strength. To hear a comment and not allow it to get you angry or frustrated is a great mindset to cultivate.  This is the great attribute of Yitzchok.  We can learn from Yitzchok and his ability to let thing roll off his back.  In our lives there will always be strangers, family members and friends who will say or do something that will annoy us. The way we react to it shows our character. Are we able to let it slide and not allow it to bother us?  This would display great stength of character and self confidence. We can try to be like Yitzchok and show the power of laughter.

PS - For further discussion: do you see a connection between your Hebrew name and your personality characteristics?