Weekly Torah Reading, Va-yiggash December 11, 2021

Genesis 44:18-47:27   After They’ve Seen Paree   After Joseph revealed his true identity to him brothers, he sent them back to Canaan to tell their father Jacob the good news: his long-lost son Joseph was still alive and was, …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Mikketz, December 4, 2021

Genesis 41:1-44:17   The Fear of God   Joseph’s abilities as a dream interpreter eventually landed him a job as a high Egyptian official in charge of grain supplies. Meanwhile his family in Canaan had begun to feel the effects …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyeshev, November 27, 2021

Genesis 37:1-40:23   A Rocky Start   Joseph, whose early life is the focus of this week’s reading, got off to a rocky start. Reportedly the favorite son of his father Jacob, he must have been quite an obnoxious young …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyishlaḥ, November 20, 2021

Genesis 32:4-37:1 “Pay Up!” On the eve of his return to the land of Canaan, Jacob learned that his brother Esau, who had previously sworn to kill him, was now on his way to meet him—accompanied by 400 men! Naturally, …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Vayyetze, November 13, 2021

Genesis 28:10-32:3   Interpreting the Angels Jacob left Beer-sheba bound for Haran. Stopping for the night at a certain place, he fell asleep and had a strange dream. “And behold, a ladder was set in the ground, and its top …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Toledot, November 6, 2021

Genesis 25:19-28:9 A Common Message   The three encounters between Jacob and Esau in this week’s reading seem to contain a common message. The first time the twins “meet” is in their mother’s womb. They pressed hard against each other, …

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Weekly Torah Reading, Ḥayyei Sarah, October 30, 2021

Genesis 23:1-28:9 A Gene in the Family   In this week’s portion, Abraham sends his (unnamed) servant to the city of Nahor to find a bride for his son Isaac. When the servant arrives, we are introduced to two important …

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Weekly Torah Reading Vayyera’ October 23, 2021

Genesis chapters 18:1-22:24 “Now I know…”   The Torah’s account of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son Isaac has raised questions among readers since ancient times. Among other things, commentators wondered why God needed to test Abraham in the first place. …

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