Vayishlach

In this parsha

Returning home, Jacob braces to meet Esau by dividing his camp, sending lavish gifts, and praying for deliverance. Alone at night, he wrestles a mysterious being until dawn and is renamed Israel, though left limping. The brothers meet and part in peace. Near Shechem, Jacob's daughter Dinah is violated, and her brothers Simeon and Levi avenge her by destroying the city. God renews the blessing at Bethel; Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried on the road; Isaac dies at Hebron. The parsha closes with the descendants of Esau.

Themes

• From Yaakov to Yisrael
• Struggle elevating soul over body
• Angels born of human deeds
• Sanctifying the weekday
• Humility draws divine kindness
• Truth as the bond with Hashem

Must-read teachings

1. 1Yaakov's three names and self-diminishmentOn the posuk: "I have become small (katonti), etc., and now I have become two camps" (Bereishis 32:11). The Sefas Emes opens with Yaakov's words of humility before meeting Esav — "I have become small" — and his statement that he had grown i…תרמ"ה
2. 2From Yaakov to Yisrael: revealed and hidden avodahOn the verse, "No longer shall your name be called Yaakov, etc." (Bereishis 32:29) He opens on the verse where the angel renames Yaakov to Yisrael. And it implies that this was a blessing. The context shows the renaming was meant as a berac…תרמ"ו
3. 3Jacob’s Spiritual Elevation with GodIn the verse “With Laban I dwelled… and I had ox and donkey, sheep, servant and maidservant.” The Sefat Emet opens by reading Jacob’s report of possessions as symbolic categories of spiritual work. For first one must rectify the animal-soul…תרנ"ה
4. 4Holding bitachon and prayer togetherIn the Midrash: the chosen one among the Avos and among the Nevi'im — the Holy One promised them [protection], and yet they were afraid. The Midrash observes a striking thing: Yaakov, the choicest of the Avos, and Moshe, the choicest of the…תרמ"ד
5. 5Spiritual Struggle for Future GenerationsSurely the spiritual level of Jacob is above nature and he does not exist within the realm of weekday existence, as the Sages said: a Torah scholar is called “Shabbat,” for he is always in the quality of Shabbat. The Sefat Emet states that …תרל"ז
6. 6Spiritual Ascent from Animal to Human“In the verse: ‘And Jacob traveled to Sukkot and built himself a house…’” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining Jacob’s journey to Sukkot as an allegory for spiritual construction. “As it is written: ‘Prepare your work outside.’” This teaches …תרנ"ג
7. 7Humility Attracts Divine Kindness“In the verse: I have become small from all the kindnesses … that You have done with Your servant.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting Jacob’s statement of humility regarding God’s kindness. In the Midrash one opinion says: I am unworthy, and a…תרל"ח
8. 8Sanctifying Weekday ActionsWhen Yaakov came to Shechem it says ‘And he encamped by the city’ The medrash says that we learn from here that Yaakov established techumin, the laws of up till where one can go on shabbos [ ] This means [partly missing] that Shabbos is in…תרל"א