Vayetze - Day #5

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out  

Torah Portion: Genesis 28:10-32:3

Genesis 30:28–31:16

30:28 He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.”

29 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. 30 For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Hashem has blessed you wherever I turned. Now, when will I provide for my own house also?”

31 Laban said, “What shall I give you?”

Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. 32 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Everyone that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, that might be with me, will be considered stolen.”

34 Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.”

35 That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink. 39 The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He put his own droves apart and didn’t put them into Laban’s flock. 41 Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive among the rods; 42 but when the flock was feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. 43 The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants, male servants, and camels and donkeys.

31 Jacob heard Laban’s sons’ words, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s. He has obtained all this wealth from that which was our father’s.” 2 Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 Hashem said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”

4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, 5 and said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the Elohim of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all of my strength. 7 Your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but Elohim didn’t allow him to hurt me. 8 If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore streaked. 9 Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me. 10 During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled. 11 The angel of Elohim said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’ 

12 He said, ‘Now lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and grizzled, for I have seen all that Laban does to you. 13 I am the Elohim of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to Me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.’”

14 Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Aren’t we considered as foreigners by him? For he has sold us, and has also used up our money. 16 For all the riches which Elohim has taken away from our father are ours and our children’s. Now then, whatever Elohim has said to you, do.”

Today’s Meditation: 

Jacob is negotiating with his father-in-law. He is getting ready to pack up his family and leave. And then he makes a really astonishing statement to Laban, “Hashem has blessed you wherever I turned.” In other words, Jacob gives all the credit for Laban’s prosperity not to himself, but to Hashem. His faith in Hashem is so tremendous that he gives all the credit to Him. And makes sure that Laban is aware of this. That all his success is really from Hashem. Jacob planned, worked, and grew Laban’s assets, a lesson for us to follow. Whatever you do that becomes successful and benefits others should be recognized as coming from Hashem, not you.

Challenge: 

Jacob makes an unusual “business deal” with Laban. It’s all about good and bad flocks of sheep. It turns out that over time, with the help of sheep reproduction, Jacob becomes very successful. This must have been quite a surprise to Laban. My challenge to you today is to be on the lookout for a possible business deal that Hashem is orchestrating for you. Maybe you are already working on one. Be sure to be prayerful and put Hashem right at the center of your venture. Listen carefully to what He tells you to do, even if it sounds really weird or unusual (like taking all the sheep rejects). You will be blessed.

Toldot - Day #5

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations  

Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Genesis 26:30–27:27

26:30 He made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 They rose up some time in the morning, and swore an oath to one another. Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32 The same day, Isaac’s servants came and told him concerning the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 He called it “Shibah.” Therefore, the name of the city is “Beersheba” to this day.

34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They grieved Isaac’s and Rebekah’s spirits.

27 When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My son?”

He said to him, “Here I am.”

2 He said, “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and get me venison. 4 Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau, his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for venison and to bring it. 6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob, her son, saying, “Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, 7 ‘Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless you before Hashem before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and get me two good young goats from there. I will make them savory food for your father, such as he loves. 10 You shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.”

11 Jacob said to Rebekah, his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 What if my father touches me? I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I would bring a curse on myself, and not a blessing.”

13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice, and go get them for me.”

14 He went, and got them, and brought them to his mother. His mother made savory food, such as his father loved. 15 Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son. 16 She put the skins of the young goats on his hands, and on the smooth of his neck. 17 She gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 He came to his father and said, “My father?”

He said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”

19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.”

20 Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?”

He said, “Because Hashem your Elohim gave me success.”

21 Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.”

22 Jacob went near to Isaac, his father. He felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He didn’t recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?”

He said, “I am.”

25 He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.”

He brought it near to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank. 26 His father Isaac said to him, “Come near now, and kiss me, my son.” 27 He came near and kissed him. He smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him, and said,

“Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which Hashem has blessed.

Today’s Meditation: 

Rebekah and Jacob create a divisive plan to steal a blessing away from Esau. It is one of Scripture’s curious stories. We know Rebekah loves Isaac, but apparently, she loves her son more. Enough to want to trick her own husband. What is the lesson to be learned here? I guess I can only look at it this way. What if Jacob had not stolen the blessing? Yes, he may have received less of the inheritance, but I believe Hashem would still have fully blessed the line of Isaac, continuing His promises.

I recall a client who once told me she planned to visit Social Services and lie about something in her life to receive more free benefits. I gave her a challenge. I asked her to tell the truth and then see what happens. We then prayed that Hashem would bless her. A few hours later, I met with her and she was so excited. She didn’t lie, but she still received the extra benefits. What a wonderful life lesson.

Today’s Challenge: 

Have you recently lied to change the outcome in a particular situation? Or are you thinking about not telling the truth about something because you feel it would help you out? I challenge you to tell the truth, pray, and watch what Hashem does. My daughter told the truth about turning down a job to the unemployment bureau. She could have lied and continued receiving benefits, but instead, she said the truth. They stopped her unemployment. However, the most amazing thing happened next. She got a fantastic job. And it pays more than any job she has ever held. She is giving all the glory to Hashem. And so will you.

Chayei Sarah - Day #5

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 24:53–67

24:53 The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother. 54 They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”

55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that, she will go.”

56 He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Hashem has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”

57 They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.” 58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?”

She said, “I will go.”

59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”

61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah and went his way. 62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?”

The servant said, “It is my master.”

She took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 67, we read, “He loved her.” How simple yet how profound. An arranged marriage, and yet he falls in love with her. It makes me think that we should trust those in authority around us. Often, we challenge decisions made by those over us, but perhaps we should start having more confidence in them. And with this marriage, it was obviously arranged by our Hashem. Maybe we should trust Him more to make those critical decisions in our lives. Let us agree to have Hashem arrange our day-to-day.

Today’s Challenge:

The family, after a night of celebration, asks the servant to stay a few days. But he is anxious to get back and replies, “Do not hinder me.” This is my challenge to you today. If you ask someone to delay a decision or a situation, and they tell you not to deter them. Listen to them. Trust that they have heard from Hashem and know what to do. Even if you want something different, in other words, do not try to change people’s minds, unless you are sure you are hearing from Hashem and He is asking you to interfere. I would recommend sitting silently and praying instead.

Vayeira - Day #5

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared  

Torah Portion: Genesis 18:1-22:24

Genesis 21:5–21      

21:5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “Elohim has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7 She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

8 The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore, she said to Abraham, “Cast out this servant and her son! For the son of this servant will not be heir with my son, Isaac.”

11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son. 12 Elohim said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For your offspring will be named through Isaac. 13 I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.” 14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs. 16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice, and wept. 17 Elohim heard the voice of the boy.

The angel of Elohim called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For Elohim has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.” 19 Elohim opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.

20 Elohim was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.

Today’s Meditation:

This story has some mystery indeed. Why would Hashem tell Abraham to listen to his wife and send Hagar away from home? And to send her out with water and bread. That sounds very unusual. But, even though we don’t understand this, the end of the story is that Hashem saves them after the water and bread have run out. He miraculously provides a well with water. They drink and they live. And Esau grows and marries. 

What do we learn from this? Even if something doesn't make sense, we can be sure that Hashem has a plan. He is faithful and true, and He will bring out the best in every situation.

Today’s Challenge:

Have you ever been in the middle of something that looks hopeless (like running out of bread and water)? But then, suddenly, Hashem does something miraculous? If that has happened, I know you have given Hashem the glory, honor, and thanks. If you are in the midst of a difficult situation, I challenge you to hold on to hope. Read this story and see how Hagar was so hopeless, but at the last minute Hashem delivered. And He delivered with a miracle—a well of water. Ask Hashem today for your well of water. 

Lech-Lecha - Day #5

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!  

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Genesis 14:21–15:6

14:21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”

22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Hashem, Elohim Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”

15 After these things, Hashem’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

2 Abram said, “L-rd Hashem, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”

4 Behold, Hashem’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir.” 5 Hashem brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So your offspring will be.” 6 He believed in Hashem, who credited it to him for righteousness.

Today’s Meditation:

This is the most fantastic story. Abram is old and has no children. He has just made an incredible move with his wife and all his earthly belongings. He meets with Hashem, and Hashem tells him, “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” He will bless Abram with generations of descendants. 

How hard would this be to believe? It sounds like Abram has been married for years without having children. Now he is in the land that Hashem brings him to, and not only is he rewarded with a new life in a new land, but with descendants as numerous as the stars. Abram was righteous, and being so most likely means your faith is tremendous. Abram had no idea how this was all going to happen, but he believed in it. 

How often do we look to Hashem for a huge request in prayer? And how frequently do we believe He will answer? 

Today’s Challenge: 

Think of something that you really believe you need help with. It could be a physical/mental/emotional healing for you or someone you love. It could be to pay off debt, get a new job, buy a new house, or start a new life. Maybe you have an addiction that has been impossible to take care of. My challenge is for you to ask Him for help. Ask big, pray, and wait. In the meantime, worship and be obedient to our faithful Elohim. And believe. Be like Abram and look for the impossible.