Portal talk:Judaism/Weekly Torah portion
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[edit] Vayeshev
- Joseph, Jacob's favorite son, was hated by his brothers because of his dreams predicting his future dominion. The brothers sold Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelite merchants going to Egypt. The brothers told Jacob that a wild animal devoured Joseph. Midianites carried Joseph to Egypt and sold him as a slave to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials. Meanwhile, Tamar was married to Judah’s eldest son, Er. After Er died, Tamar married Onan, his brother. On Onan’s death, Judah promised Tamar that his third son, Shelah, would become her husband. This promise was not fulfilled. Tamar disguised herself as a highway prostitute and offered herself to her father-in-law Judah. She claimed his staff and signet as pledge of payment. When she later became pregnant and Judah accused her of fornication, she produced the staff and signet and Judah then knew that he had been the fathere. Back in Egypt, Joseph gained Potiphar’s confidence. But when Potiphar’s wife, unable to seduce him, accused him falsely, he was cast into prison. There he correctly interpreted the dreams of two of his fellow prisoners, Pharaoh's butler and baker.
[edit] Vayishlach
- On his return to the land of Canaan, Jacob feared meeting his brother Esau, whom he had deprived of a blessing. Jacob sent Esau presents. While sleeping, a being (variously regarded as God, an angel, or a man), appeared to Jacob and wrestled with him. The mysterious one pleaded to be released before daybreak, but Jacob refused to release the being until he agreed to bless Jacob. The being announced to Jacob that he shall bear the name "Israel," which means "one who wrestled with God -- and won." The being freed Jacob, but not before he wrenched Jacob’s hip, leaving him with a limp. The meeting with Esau proved benign. Jacob settled at Shechem. The city’s prince, also named Shechem, raped Jacob’s daughter Dinah. His sons Simeon and Levi took vengeance on the city, forcing Jacob and his family to flee. On the road from Bethel, Rachel gave birth to a son, Benjamin, and died. Jacob returned to Isaac's home in Mamre, near Hebron. Isaac died, and Esau and Jacob buried him.
[edit] Vayetze
- To escape his brother Esau's vengeance, Jacob traveled to his uncle Laban in Padan-aram, having been charged by Isaac to find a wife there. On the way, God appeared to Jacob at night, promising protection and aid for him and the land for his numerous descendants. Arrived at Haran, Jacob hired himself to Laban, on condition that, after having served for seven years as a herdsman, he would have for wife Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel, with whom Jacob fell in love. At the end of this period, Laban gave him the elder daughter, Leah. Jacob therefore served another seven years for Rachel, and after that six years more for cattle. In the meantime, Leah bore him Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. By Rachel's maid Bilhah, Jacob had Dan and Naphtali. By Zilpah, Leah's maid, Jacob had Gad and Asher. Then, by Leah again, he had Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. And finally, by Rachel, Jacob had Joseph. Jacob also acquired much wealth in flocks.
[edit] Chayei Sarah
Sarah dies at age 127 and is buried in the Machpeilah Cave in Hebron, which Abraham purchases from Ephron the Hittite for 400 shekels of silver.
Abraham's servant, Eliezer, is sent laden with gifts to Charan to find a wife for Isaac. At the village well, Eliezer asks G-d for a sign: when the maidens come to the well, he will ask for some water to drink; the woman who will offer to give his camels to drink as well, shall be the one destined for his master's son.
Rebecca, the daughter of Abraham's nephew Bethuel, appears at the well and passes the "test." Eliezer is invited to their home, where he repeats the story of the day's events. Rebecca returns with Eliezer to the land of Canaan, where they encounter Isaac praying in the field. Isaac marries Rebecca, loves her, and is comforted over the loss of his mother.
Abraham takes a new wife, Keturah (Hagar) and fathers six additional sons, but Isaac is designated as his only heir. Abraham dies at age 175 and is buried beside Sarah by his two eldest sons, Isaac and Ishmael.
