Skip to content

Parashat Vayishlach

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Vayishlach centers on Yaakov’s return and his dramatic nocturnal struggle with a mysterious being, after which he is renamed Israel. The parashah depicts reconciliation with Esav alongside deep personal and national turning points, including tragedy within Yaakov’s family. It explores the cost of growth and the possibility of healing after betrayal and fear.

  • A House Divided – A warning for our time

    By Yael Shahar

    In this week’s parashah, Yaakov, now the head of a large family, heads home to the land of Canaan after living for two decades in the house of Lavan. During those years, he has gone from being an “innocent” tent-dweller to becoming a savvy man of business. Having deceived his father and stolen his elder brother’s blessing, he has been deceived in his turn, having been given the elder daughter in marriage before the beloved younger. He has come full circle. But there are hints that Yaakov has still to learn one crucial lesson: the price of fatherly favoritism.

  • Dina

    The rape of Jacob’s daughter, the war of Israel’s sons

    By Yehoshua Looks

    Since October 7, all of the parshiot have had multiple meanings for our current situation. This week’s parshah, Vayishlach, in particular, is one that I’ve been dreading. It speaks directly to one excruciating element of our national pain from that day, and asks how we should respond to that pain.

  • The Jewish attitude toward killing

    In Contemporary Issues and Parashat Vayishlach

    In these most trying days for the people of Israel, in which many Palestinians have gone to the streets in Ramalah and other places, to celebrate the killing of Jews including children, babies, soldiers policemen and women in terrorists attacks, it is important for us to remember who we are.