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?

God closed the Door on Noach

In parshat Noach we find a person who needs to withstand the pressures of a corrupt society.  We are told that Noach was the only Tzadik in his generation. Can you imagine his life?! He was surrounded by people doing the horrible things. How does someone not fall to the level of the people around him?. Not only did Noach not sink to their level but he raised himself to the level of a Tzadik. One who walked with Hashem. Hahsem selected Noach and his family to be saved from world destruction.  I think that Noach was able to stay away from the pressures of his surrounding because he isolated himself. He became only interested in himself and his family. Hashem told him to build an Teva and he did it. Hashem told him to enter the Teva and Noach did not ask Hashem for his best friends to join him because he had none. He was occupied with building an inclosure, the Teva, that would save his family. Interestingly after Noach, his family and the animals board the Teva the Pasuk reads "And Hashem closed him inside".  My understanding it that Hashem was isolating Noach from all the the bad that was going to happen in the flood waters outside the Teva. Inside the Teva Noach was able to teach his family and feed the animals. Noach was living metaphoraclly in a Teva his whole life. Secluded from the horrible people of his generation and the bad influences. Noach's life teaches the lesson of protecting youself first, removing ourselves from bad situations. Removing ourselves from bad people, friends.  As students in a school you might be with some children who are making fun of someone on the bus. What do you do? Do you join in? Do you move away. You might be at a playdate on Shabbat and the your friend starts doing something you know is wrong. What do you do? Do you remove yourself?.  Moving away from a situation is not easy, but sometimes required.  There are times that we need to close ourselves in our own Teva to protect ourselves, just like Hashem closed Noach in the Teva to save him,   It is better not to associate ourselves with people who do the wrong and bad things.The lesson from Noach's life is simple to see and hear but hard to accomplish. I pray that we all have the stregnth when needed to remove ourselves from bad influences.

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan - We need Rain -- In Israel

This past week we welcomed in the month of Cheshvan. It is called MarCheshvan becasue it does not contain any special day.  The Banot prepared a 2-3 min video about what is important about this month for the Jewish People and the land of Israel. 

enjoy!! 

How can we help Israel

This summer has been very difficult for the Jewish People living in Eretz Yisrael. From the beginning of July they have been under attack. All of us, have friends and families that needed to move or to go into hiding from the sirens, missile and tunnel attacks.  In the diaspora, we spent our days listening to news reports, following Facebook and Twitter for updates on the situation in Israel. What actions items did Jews living outside of Israel do to help the situation? 

• Some people raised money for the IDF and injured soldiers. 
• Some people show that they Stand with Israel by attending Rallys.n (NYC)
• Some people participated in Solidarity Mission to Israel
• Some said more Tehilim.
• Some committed to learn more each day. 

I understand the first 3 ideas as action items that bring financial or emotional support to the people in the land. The last two of saying Tehlim and committing to learn more each day how do they help?

I know I know you are going to tell me praying more and learning more are always a good thing.

In this past week's Parsha of Eikev certain pasukim prove to me learning Torah and following the Mitzvot is as important as the other action items.  We have pasukim describing the land of Israel as a land filled with all the good. It has seven special species, it has a unique climate, it is a land that "God has His eyes on constantly from the beginning of the year until the end." (Devarim 11:10-12). God promised us all the benefits from the land. BUT if we do not follow the rules and laws then the land will shut down and we will be "expelled from the land". (Devarim 11:13-17).   The group of pasukim that explains it the most clearly for me is from Devarim 11:22-25. 

 כב כִּי אִם-שָׁמֹר תִּשְׁמְרוּן אֶת-כָּל-הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם--לַעֲשֹׂתָהּ:  לְאַהֲבָה אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, לָלֶכֶת בְּכָל-דְּרָכָיו--וּלְדָבְקָה-בוֹ.  כג וְהוֹרִישׁ יְהוָה אֶת-כָּל-הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה, מִלִּפְנֵיכֶם; וִירִשְׁתֶּם גּוֹיִם, גְּדֹלִים וַעֲצֻמִים מִכֶּם.  כדכָּל-הַמָּקוֹם, אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרֹךְ כַּף-רַגְלְכֶם בּוֹ--לָכֶם יִהְיֶה:  מִן-הַמִּדְבָּר וְהַלְּבָנוֹן מִן-הַנָּהָר נְהַר-פְּרָת, וְעַד הַיָּם הָאַחֲרוֹן--יִהְיֶה, גְּבֻלְכֶם.  כה לֹא-יִתְיַצֵּב אִישׁ, בִּפְנֵיכֶם:  פַּחְדְּכֶם 

וּמוֹרַאֲכֶם יִתֵּן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, עַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרְכוּ-בָהּ, כַּאֲשֶׁר, דִּבֶּר לָכֶם.

22 For if you will diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him, 23 then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves. 24 Every place where the sole of your foot shall walk will be yours: .......25 There will be  no man be able to stand against you: the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as He has spoken to you.

These pasukim state very clearly that if the Jewish people observe the mitzvot and serve God then God will drive out our enemies from before us, and no person/people will be able to stand up against us. This is the formula we need. We love God by learning and davening. In my learning group this summer we dedicated our learning of Mishanyot each day to the people of Israel, soldiers, and civilians. The staff set up a "Shemira" (Guard) rotation of learning in the Beit Midrash from 10:00 to 12:45 each night. We were learning Torah in America but our hearts were in Israel.  All forms of support for Israel are needed and important. Using the end of this week's Parsha as a lens I feel that our campers and staff made a difference and helped the success of the operation.