 www.TorahWellsprings.org |
||
|
Donate
Site Menu
Update
Contact
|
Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 29:1-35
Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the
Easterners. There before his eyes was a well in the open.
In Chapter 29, we witness again a meeting at a well that results in a marriage. As Ya'akov (Jacob) approaches a well,
three flocks of sheep are already there, but they will wait until all the flocks
are gathered before moving the rock off the mouth of the well to water the
sheep. As he is talking with the shepherds,
Rachel, the daughter of Laban, Rebecca's brother, approaches with Labans flock.
Eventually, Laban and Ya'akov arrange for Rachel to be given to Ya'akov in
marriage, after Ya'akov works for Laban for seven years.
But, Laban tricks Ya'akov into marrying his older daughter, Leah instead!
When Ya'akov discovered the deception, he confronted
Laban, who defended his action by claiming that the firstborn had the right to
be married first. Ironically, this relationship between the firstborn and
younger siblings is the very principle that Ya'akov violated with his deception
of Esau and Yitzchak. Because he loves Rachel, Ya'akov agrees to work for
another seven years to marry her.
Adonai saw that Ya'akov loved Rachel, but not Leah, so He enabled Leah to
conceive, but kept Rachel barren. Leah soon has four sons by Ya'akov, while
Rachel is barren. With each of the
first three sons, Leah expects that Ya'akov will learn to love her. Finally she
bore Judah and declared, "this time I will praise the Lord", and then she
stopped bearing.
This is the beginning of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Qeriath, Hosea
12:2-14
This reading is a continuation of Hosea's condemnation of
Israel. He turns from a compilation of sins by the nation, to more specific sins
by Judah, and is very specific about the sin that Ya'akov inflicted upon Esau.
Hosea recounts that Ya'akov had to flee to Aram, and that Israel would need to
be delivered from Egypt. Ending with a note of hope and assurance, Hosea
reminded Israel that Adonai sent a prophet, who is Moshe, to bring the people
out of bondage and to guard them.
Da'ath, Jude
1:5-13
Jude is exhorting us to beware of false brethren, those
who have crept into the community, who are actually unbelievers, holding to the
ways of the flesh and following Cain and Balaam. As with Sodom and Gomorrah and
other enemies of Adonai, they are destined for destruction and eternal darkness.
Igarath,
Hebrews 11:1-7
The author begins the chapter that recounts the mighty
acts of faith by explaining that trusting, or faith, is confidence in what we
hope for, and being convinced of things we do not see. This trusting is what
gained merit for people in the eyes of Adonai. He lists Hevel (Able), Hanokh
(Enoch) and Noach first in his list of individuals that exhibited great faith.
In turn, each of these people received righteousness from God.
Conclusion
Torah shows Adonai faithfully providing for Ya'akov, even though he has sinned
against Esau and Yitzchak. In Qeriath Adonai again faithfully delivers Israel
after their sins. Da'ath is a reminder that Adonai will destroy those who oppose
Him, but He saved Israel from Egypt. And Igarath recounts the righteousness of
God that was given to some who exhibited great trust in Him.
Barukh HaShem,
|
Shalom