Parashat Vayetze
Click here for to download the power point version
Synopsis
Vayetse relates the story of Jacob’s journey to Rebekah’s homeland to find a wife. On the first night of his journey he dreams of a stairway going up to heaven and is told by God that he will inherit the land promised to Abraham. Jacob arrives in Haran and is welcomed by Laban, his uncle and later father in law, and his two daughters Leah and Rachel. Jacob fancies Rachel and Laban promises to let him marry her if he works for him for seven years. After seven years Laban tricks him and gives him Leah instead of Rachel. Jacob protests and Laban says he can have Rachel if he works for a further seven years. Jacob goes on to have a fair few kiddies with his wives and their maidservants Zilpah and Bilhah. After many years Jacob decides to return to his home. Jacob and Laban agree to split the herd with Jacob getting the speckled and spotted sheep and goats and Laban the rest. He stays for a little while longer meanwhile his herd grows exponentially and Laban’s sons accuse him of cheating Laban. Jacob, clan and herd leave secretly but are pursued by Laban who catches them and he and Jacob reconcile.
Themes
There are two themes were going to be looking at this week
1)Dealing with dishonest people
2)Working for what you want
1) Dealing with honest people
Jacob gets tricked by Laban twice in this weeks parashah first when he gives him Rachel and secondly when splitting up the herd he sends away the speckled and spotted animals that are supposed to be Jacob’s. Jacob deals with Laban’s dishonesty well as he never resorts to trickery himself and never feels the need to get his own back and yet he stands up to Laban when he does trick him. It is certainly a new Jacob, no longer the youth who tricked his brother and father, one who deals with the situation with maturity. It is all too easy to lose control at those who trick us or those who consider themselves to have one-up on us after all its not a nice feeling being on the receiving end of such behaviour but its important to do two things. Vent your frustration and Stand up for yourself without lowering yourself to their level.
2) Working for what you want
Wow did Jacob ever work for what he wanted. He loved Rachel and worked for fourteen years to marry her which is something, still its not very nice for Leah, but hey. There is something to be said for working hard for what you want it feels that much better when you get it. This is a message particularly relevant in today’s fast paced, ever shrinking, everything now world, it’s a question of values and making important decisions.
|
