Yaakov and Lavan
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"Mei-Hashem Yatza Ha-davar" Perceiving Providence
Rabbi Reuven TaraginIn the context of the story about Yaakov's escape from and return to Canaan, the Torah describes Yaakov's exile. This lesson highlights the links between the different stories in the interim. The links reveal the message of the entire story.
Of Angels, Pillars and Brothers (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 25 minutesThe end of the Parshat Vayetzeh contains significant motifs that parallel the beginning of the parsha. This structure highlights a contrast between Yaakov at the beginning of the Parsha and the person he becomes at the end. Yaakov’s interaction with Lavan shows him the problematic road which he had been following. By the end of the process, Yaakov separates himself physically and psychologically from Lavan.
And Now, my Son, Listen to my Voice
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanRivka is often viewed as the heroine in the story of the blessings: she disguises Yaakov as Esav so that her younger son will receive Yitzchak's blessing. The problematic deception, and the ensuing separation, exile, and suffering point to another perspective in the story. Does Rivka's daring plan exemplify the importance of human initiative alongside Divine Providence, or is it a tragic mistake?
There and Back Again:The Exilic Journeys and Sojourns of Vayetze
Rabbi Elchanan SametParashat Vayetze is unique in that it consists of a single Masoretic parasha, i.e., one paragraph of 148 uninterrupted consecutive verses. Though Masoretic division of the parashiyot is based on sundry reasons, not all of which are always clear, it sometimes indicates a literary unity. It appears that this is the case with our parasha: Parashat Vayetze is all one long story. What is the significance of this? By dividing the narrative into two parts and exploring each section we can learn important lessons about Yaakov's life in Haran and his relationship with Lavan.
The Good that Evil Men Do
Rabbi Ben-Tzion SpitzOf Angels, Pillars and Brothers
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe end of the Parshat Vayetzeh contains significant motifs that parallel the beginning of the parsha. This structure highlights a contrast between Yaakov at the beginning of the Parsha and the person he becomes at the end. Yaakov’s interaction with Lavan shows him the problematic road which he had been following. By the end of the process, Yaakov separates himself physically and psychologically from Lavan.
Wealth, Power, and "the Man"
Rabbi David SilverbergIf God Shall be With Me...and I Return Safely
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov and Lavan: Workers and Employers
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov's Continued Idealism and Revelation
Rabbi David SilverbergLavan vs. Yaakov: Returning or Continuing
Rabbi David SilverbergLavan, His Mother's Brother
Rabbi David SilverbergLavan, His Mother's Brother
Rabbi David SilverbergLavan's Deceitful Flattery
Rabbi David SilverbergAt Midnight: Yaakov's Escape from Lavan and Israel's Exodus from Egypt
Rabbi David SilverbergNetziv on Yaakov's Brethren Gathering Stones
Rabbi David SilverbergThe Casuistic Unit in Parshat Mishpatim
Rabbi Meir Lichtenstein | Hour and 7 minutesParshat Mishpatim is comprised of casuistic laws – cases which are described as though they have already occurred and laws presented accordingly. When closely examining these laws, one can notice that there is a direct link between these laws and actual occurrences in Sefer Bereishit. Through a close comparison of Shemot and Bereishit, we learn about the relationship between our moral compass and legal discourse and how it sheds light on the stories of Bereishit and our own lives.
The Gods of Deceit- Rachel, Michal and the Terafim
Rabbi Michael Hattin | Hour and 15 minutesWe find striking similarities between the story of Lavan, Yaakov, Rachel and the terafim in Parshat Vayetze and the story of Shaul, David, Michael and the terafim in Sefer Shmuel. Through a close examination of each text we learn that the story in Shmuel is meant to help us more fully understand the story in Bereishit, and gives us a unique interpretation of both incidents and new insights into the characters of Lavan and Shaul.
I have Lived with Lavan
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov, Lavan, Rashi, and the 613 Mitzvot
Rabbi David SilverbergDo you Belittle that You Took My Husband? (Gen. 30:15) - Who Took Whose Husband?
Rabbi Gad Dishiתאריך פרסום: תשעד | |
What was going on in the "sister switch" story, wherein Lavan gave Leah in marriage to Yaakov instead of Rachel? How was Yaakov,though savvy when it came to his brother and father, fooled by Lavan, and why did he not take action? Who participated in the marital switch? What is going on in the Yaakov-Leah relationship wherein Leah feels hated? We examine the tragic "dudaim' story within the rest of the narrative of Yaakov in Haran, and consider the possibility that Leah was completely unaware of Yaakov's original deal with Lavan. What is the Torah teaching us with this story?
Hoshea 12-14 - Matan Al HaPerek
Rabbi David SabatoCentral to the prophecy of rebuke which appears in Chapter 12 are fraud and deception, which characterize the people’s actions in Hoshea’s time. Throughout the perek, scenes from the life of Yaakov Avinu serve as background and basis for the rebuke of his descendants.
The rebuke in Chapter 13 is mostly devoted to an attack on the worship of the golden calves in the kingdom of Israel.
The book of Hoshea ends with a prophecy of consolation. There is a sense of progression moving from the failed earlier attempts at repentance to the people's more sincere, effective repentance followed by God’s responsiveness.
Avram in Egypt, Yaakov in Haran, and the Exodus from Egypt
Dr. Yael Zieglerתאריך פרסום: תשס"ז | | 31 minutes
This shiur looks at events in Bereisheet leading up to the Exodus from Egypt, in attempt to understand how these stories impact upon the message of Yetziat Mitzrayim - and the ideas of exodus and redemption. We focus on two stories: Avraham's descent to Egypt, and Yaakov in the House of Lavan. We find linguistic and thematic connections to the story of the enslavement in and exodus from Egypt. These stories highlight the added challenge of leaving places of natural material wealth and fertility to return to the Land of Israel, where fertility, water, and resources are dependent on God.
Erev Shabbat Parshat Vayetze - Yaakov's Priorities and God's Promise
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 20 minutesYaakov is ready to leave Lavan’s household. But then Yaakov consents to stay.
Rav Samet points out that Yaakov is now primarily focused on making money. Whereas before, equipped only with a stick, he dreamt of God, now he dreams about making more money. Yaakov is now at a much lower level than when he wishes to leave after twenty years, sneaking out as opposed to proudly stating that he would like to leave. We look at the rest of Yaakov's journey and analyze God’s promise to Yaakov . Ultimately , God will be with him -and us- through thick and thin if we bring Him into our lives.
Lavan's Treachery and Yaakov's Vow
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 21 minutesWhat does Yaakov do to deserves Lavan’s treachery? Rav Medan points out that Yaakov quotes the angel who referred to God’s revelation in Beit El. Yaakov was sent to work for Lavan to find a wife. But after that, Yaakov was supposed to return and build a matzeva in Beit El. What right did Yaakov have to delay that return? And what can we learn from his vacillations?
Vayeitzei: Consequences of Jacob's Deceit
Rabbi David Fohrman |Last week, we saw Jacob trick his father Isaac and stole Esau's birthright, devastating his brother and causing him to cry. Are we really meant to applaud Jacob's behavior? In this video, Rabbi Fohrman explores the scene when Jacob and Rachel first meet, in which Jacob too cries. Through a deeper understanding of this midrash, we are shown special insights into the text and can begin to understand how Jacob can be called a man of truth.
If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.Matot: Why Is The End of Bamidbar So Anticlimactic?
Rabbi David Fohrman |The Torah is a book of great drama, why does the narrative ends with a seemingly-unnecessary story about a random conquest of some towns? In this week and next week, Rabbi Fohrman paints a picture of epic connections to the stories of Jacob, Joseph and Judah.
If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.
Masei: Why Is The End of Bamidbar So Anticlimactic? II
Rabbi David Fohrman |In this video, we still ask, why does the Torah end the narrative sections with the story of Yair ben Menashe conquering some towns? In finding the answer, Rabbi Fohrman teaches us about true reconciliation: brothers taking care of brothers.
If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.
The Birth of the World’s Oldest Hate
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks“Go and learn what Laban the Aramean sought to do to our father Jacob. Pharaoh made his decree only about the males whereas Laban sought to destroy everything.”This passage from the Haggadah on Pesach – evidently based on this week’s parsha – is extraordinarily difficult to understand. It seems to make no sense, either in terms of the central theme of the Haggadah or in relation to the actual facts as recorded in the biblical text. How then are we to understand it? Perhaps the answer is this. Laban’s behaviour is the paradigm of anti-Semites through the ages. It was not so much what Laban did that the Haggadah is referring to, but what his behaviour gave rise to, in century after century.
This article is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.
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Vayetze: The Hidden Struggle Between Yaakov and Lavan
Rabbi Gad Eldad“The God of Abraham, and the God of Nachor, the God of their Father, Judge Between Us”
After Yaakov flees from Lavan with his family, Lavan catches up to him and they confront each other. But is this confrontation merely an argument of two people airing their respective grievances, or is it a religious conflict - a clash of cultures and values?
For Rachel, Your Younger Daughter
Rabbanit Dr. Michal TikochinskyVayetze: Yaakov - Lavan's Hebrew Slave?
Elisheva BraunerParshat Vayetze Part 2: The Conjugal Switch
Rabbi Gad Dishi | 22 minutesA close examination of perek 29 reveals clear parallels between the story of the switch between Rachel and Leah and the story of Yaakov stealing the blessing in the previous perek. Therefore, we may suggest that this story comes as a form of retribution for Yaakov’s deception.
Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Vayetze Part 4: The Third Work Agreement
Rabbi Gad Dishi | 17 minutesThe second half of perek 30 describes the wealth that Yaakov amassed at Lavan’s house, and the third work agreement he brokered with Lavan.
Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Vayetze Part 6: The Showdown
Rabbi Gad Dishi | 26 minutesThis podcast concludes Parshat Vayetze. A close analysis of the text reveals parallels between Yaakov’s meeting with Lavan and their treaty and his dream of the ladder occurring previously in Beit El.
Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
…and Made a Banquet
Rabbanit Dr. Michal TikochinskyDid Yaakov Deal Justly With Lavan?
Rabbi Yaakov MedanThis article examines the agreement about the division of the sheep that followed the last six years of Yaakov's working for Lavan. According to the simple understanding, Yaakov handled the agreement with cunning that bordered on dishonesty. Was forcing the flock to give birth to young of Yaakov's chosen colors a just way to carry out the agreement between the two parties? It seems that the answer to this question depends on how we understand the agreement between Lavan and Yaakov.