Vayishlach - Day #3

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent  

Torah Portion: Genesis 32:4-36:43

Genesis 32:31–33:5

32:31 The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh. 32 Therefore, the children of Israel don’t eat the sinew of the hip, which is on the hollow of the thigh, to this day, because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew of the hip.

33 Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two servants. 2 He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. 3 He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept. 5 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?”

He said, “The children whom Elohim has graciously given your servant.”

Today’s Meditation: 

Jacob’s fears were for naught. Hashem answered his prayers, and he was greeted with love from Esau. Verse 4 says, “Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.” Doesn’t this sound like the most wonderful reconciliation? Jacob must have felt an incredible sense of relief and peace. That is just what making amends with someone you love does. Each of us has people in our lives that we have offended or that have hurt us. Some situations appear serious, while others are minor. Either way, it is time to reconcile and receive the same peace that Jacob experienced that special day. The shalom peace that can only come from Hashem and our obedience to make things right. Whether you have been hurt or have hurt someone else, it’s time to take care of it.

Today’s Challenge: 

Traditions are important. Jews today do not eat this part of an animal because of the story of Jacob wrestling G-d. As we continue to learn, we discover that there are many more Biblical traditions. Tradition may not be a commandment you have to follow, but it is essential to recognize because of its memory and previous impact on souls. Soon, we will be approaching Hanukkah. This is not a required feast but a time in history when men witnessed a great miracle of Hashem (the victory in reclaiming the Temple and the lights of the Menorah). We recognize it and celebrate it because it reminds us of Hashem’s miraculous love for His people. Think about the traditions in your family this time of year. Instead of taking advantage of them, take time to ponder their importance. Make them memorable again and pass them on to your children. It’s essential to do so.

Vayishlach - Day #2

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent  

Torah Portion: Genesis 32:4-36:43

Genesis 32:14–30

32:14 "... two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty milk camels and their colts, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. 16 He delivered them into the hands of his servants, every herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put a space between herd and herd.” 17 He commanded the foremost, saying, “When Esau, my brother, meets you, and asks you, saying, ‘Whose are you? Where are you going? Whose are these before you?’ 18 Then you shall say, ‘They are your servant, Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord, Esau. Behold, he also is behind us.’” 19 He commanded also the second, and the third, and all that followed the herds, saying, “This is how you shall speak to Esau, when you find him. 20 You shall say, ‘Not only that, but behold, your servant, Jacob, is behind us.’” For, he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”

21 So the present passed over before him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.

22 He rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had. 24 Jacob was left alone and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day. 25 When he saw that he didn’t prevail against him, the man touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was strained as he wrestled. 26 The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.”

Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”

27 He said to him, “What is your name?”

He said, “Jacob”.

28 He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with Elohim and with men, and have prevailed.”

29 Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.”

He said, “Why is it that you ask what my name is?” So he blessed him there.

30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; for he said, “I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Today’s Meditation: 

A strange story, Jacob wrestling with Hashem. Why did they have that type of meeting? Why not just meet over a campfire? Was it that the actual wrestling was Jacob’s fear of meeting with his brother, and whether he should even meet him? In verse 30, Jacob says, “I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.” He is wrestling with the Father of Lights, face-to-face, and his life is spared. I suppose the solution to Jacob’s fears has been found. He proceeds and meets his brother. Contemplate why Jacob physically wrestled with G-d. And believe in the outcome.

Today’s Challenge: 

Are you currently wrestling with a decision? Are you unsure what to do? If you are wrestling with Hashem regarding this issue, it may be that you are not listening to Him. Because if you were doing what He was telling you to do, there would not be a fight. You would succumb to His suggestion and clearly see His excellent plan and its results. I challenge you today to surrender the fight and do what the Lord is telling you to do.

Vayishlach - Day #1

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent  

Torah Portion: Genesis 32:4-36:43

Genesis 32:4–13

32:4 He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: ‘This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban and stayed until now. 5 I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.” 6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, along with the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies. 8 He said, “If Esau comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape.” 9 Jacob said, “Elohim of my father Abraham, and Elohim of my father Isaac, Hashem, who said to me, ‘Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,’ 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I crossed over this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. 11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and strike me and the mothers with the children. 12 You said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which can’t be counted because there are so many.’”

13 He stayed there that night, and took from that which he had with him a present for Esau, his brother…"

Today's Meditation: 

Jacob prays to Hashem for help when he meets his brother, Esau. He reminds Hashem of His promise to bless him with generations in the Land. And frankly, he is scared. He recalls all the harm he inflicted on his brother and tries to gather gifts to appease him. Have you ever upset someone and tried to apologize with gifts or other material things? Both asking for forgiveness and restitution are necessary. This is what Torah and Judaism teach. If you borrow a coat, bring back two. It worked for Jacob. As we read on, a reconciliation between the two brothers seems to be underway. It always takes one person to start the process.

Today’s Challenge: 

Think of someone you have wronged. Now get or buy something that you know that person would like and/or enjoy, and apologize. A gift always shows someone that you care. And remember, a sincere apology goes a long way. Hashem loves it when we reconcile with people. It repairs the world and makes it whole again.

Vayetze - Day #7

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out  

Torah Portion: Genesis 28:10-32:3

Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:9

Shabbat: Genesis 31:43–32:3

31:43 Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine! What can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne? 44 Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”

45 Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar. 46 Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones and made a heap. They ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 Laban said, “This heap is a witness between me and you today.” Therefore, it was named Galeed 49 and Mizpah, for he said, “Hashem watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, Elohim is witness between me and you.” 51 Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you. 52 May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The Elohim of Abraham, and the Elohim of Nahor, the Elohim of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac. 54 Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread and stayed all night in the mountain. 55 Early in the morning, Laban rose up, kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. Laban departed and returned to his place.

32 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. 2 When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is Elohim’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim. When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is Elohim’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim.

3 Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom.

Today’s Meditation: 

In Chapter 32, verses 1 and 2, we read, “Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is Elohim’s army.” How amazing is this? Angels from the throne room of Elohim come to the earth to present themselves to Jacob. They are Hashem’s army. You hear stories from various wars in Israel, past and present, where angels presented themselves and protected Hashem’s people. 

Have you ever seen an angel? I believe I have seen a few, but I can’t verify it. We seemed to have met an angel when we were picking up my sons at the airport in Chicago (they were flying in from South Korea to be adopted by our family). We had gotten lost in the airport, and a woman came up to us and helped us find our way. When we turned around and headed in the right direction, she had disappeared. I could name a few other times, too. Have you ever seen or felt like you had seen an angel?

Today’s Challenge: 

Do you have a “Laban” relative in your life? One that kind of stressed you out? Do you respect him/her or do you disrespect them? Do you take time to listen and be patient with this relative, or are you impatient and contentious with them? Take time to think about how you can be like Jacob and work through your issue. Be determined to have peace in your relationship, rather than turmoil. Remember to respect your elders, whether you think they are right or wrong. It is a commandment to love one another. We should obey this.

This Week’s Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:9

12:13 By a prophet, Hashem brought Israel up out of Egypt,

    and by a prophet he was preserved.

14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger.

    Therefore, his blood will be left on him,

    and his Lord will repay his contempt.

13 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling.

He exalted himself in Israel,

    but when he became guilty in Baal, he died.

2 Now they sin more and more,

    and have made themselves molten images of their silver,

    even idols according to their own understanding,

    all of them the work of the craftsmen.

    They say of them, ‘They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves.’

3 Therefore, they will be like the morning mist,

    and like the dew that passes away early,

    like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor,

    and like the smoke out of the chimney.

4 “Yet I am Hashem your Elohim from the land of Egypt;

    and you shall acknowledge no god but Me,

    and besides Me there is no savior.

5 I knew you in the wilderness,

    in the land of great drought.

6 According to their pasture, so were they filled;

    they were filled, and their heart was exalted.

    Therefore, they have forgotten Me.

7 Therefore, I am like a lion to them.

    Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.

8 I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs,

    and will tear the covering of their heart.

    There, I will devour them like a lioness.

    The wild animal will tear them.

9 You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against Me,

    against your help.

10 Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities?

    And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’?

11 I have given you a king in my anger,

    and have taken him away in my wrath.

12 The guilt of Ephraim is stored up.

    His sin is stored up.

13 The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him.

    He is an unwise son;

    for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb.

14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol.

    I will redeem them from death!

    Death, where are your plagues?

    Sheol, where is your destruction?

“Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.

15 Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come,

    the breath of Hashem coming up from the wilderness;

    and his spring will become dry,

    and his fountain will be dried up.

    He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.

16 Samaria will bear her guilt;

    for she has rebelled against her Elohim.

    They will fall by the sword.

    Their infants will be dashed in pieces,

    and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”

14 Israel, return to Hashem your Elohim;

    for you have fallen because of your sin.

2 Take words with you, and return to Hashem.

    Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

    and accept that which is good:

    so we offer our lips like bulls.

3 Assyria can’t save us.

    We won’t ride on horses;

    neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’

    for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness.

    I will love them freely;

    for my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel.

    He will blossom like the lily,

    and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread,

    and his beauty will be like the olive tree,

    and his fragrance is like Lebanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade.

    They will revive like the grain,

    and blossom like the vine.

    Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?

    I answer, and will take care of him.

    I am like a green cypress tree;

    from me, your fruit is found.”

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things?

    Who is prudent, that he may know them?

    For the ways of Hashem are right,

    and the righteous walk in them;

    But the rebellious stumble in them.

Today’s Haftarah Meditation: 

We read in verse 14:1, “Israel, return to Hashem your Elohim; for you have fallen because of your sin.” This message is a common thread throughout Scripture. Many times, we read that Hashem is asking us to return to Him. So why don’t we? We try to sometimes. But if He is asking us to love Him with our whole heart, soul, and strength, we must devote our entire selves to Him. We are in a time where there is no room for being lukewarm. He wants all that is in us. Return today to Him. And never go back.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge: 

Continuing in verse 14:2, we read, “Take words with you, and return to Hashem. Tell him, ‘Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good, so we offer our lips like bulls.” To return to Hashem, we must repent of our sins. That means we acknowledge our mistakes and apologize for all that we have done, offering the sacrifice of prayer and praise. I challenge you to do this today. Take a moment to get quiet, repent, and return. Then praise Him. It will change your life forever.