בס״ד וַ ֵ ּי צֵ א VAYEITZEI In loving memory of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, HaRav Yaakov Zvi ben David Arieh z'l Volume 34 | #7 “The man (Yaakov) became exceedingly prosperous 28 November 2020 and he attained large flocks, maidservants and 12 Kislev 5781 servants, camels and donkeys” (Bereishit 30:43) Shabbat ends: London 4.50pm Sheffield 4.53pm Glasgow 4.53pm Edinburgh 4.47pm Birmingham 4.54pm Southport 4:59pm Jerusalem 5.14pm Please look regularly at the social media and websites of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming and community support. You do not need to sign INSIDE: into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. May God bless us and the Worth Waiting For whole world. by Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg Make it or Break it Artscroll – p144 by Rabbi Michoel Rose Haftarah – p1140 Hertz – p106 Haftarah – p118 Getting Ready for Chanukah Soncino – p164 with Zeal Haftarah – p188 Daf Hashavua by Rebbetzen Dina Golker Sidra breakdown Worth וַ ֵ ּי צֵ א Vayeitzei 7th Sidra in: Waiting For ּבְרֵאׁשִ ית by Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg, Magen Avot Synagogue Bereishit In the 1960’s Walter they would be rewarded with two Mischel created the marshmallows rather than one. By Numbers: now-famous “Stanford Predictably, many could not wait. Marshmallow When faced with something we 148 verses Experiment”, a really want, time often seems to 2,021 words psychological study to investigate slow down. whether the ability to delay The Torah tells us how Lavan 7,512 letters gratification might be an indicator (Laban) made Yaakov (Jacob) work for success in later life. Children for seven years in order to marry his were placed in a room with a daughter Rachel. It would only seem Headlines: marshmallow in front of them natural if for Yaakov those years felt and given a choice - either to eat like an eternity, yet the Torah tells Birth of 11 of it immediately or to wait fifteen us precisely the opposite, “and they the 12 tribes minutes while the instructor left were in his eyes like a few days” the room. If they chose to wait, (Bereishit 29:20). In loving memory of Chaya Rachel bat Moshe Ben-tzion Sidra Summary 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Bereishit 28:10-22 United Synagogue Daf Hashavua On Yaakov’s journey to Charan, he falls asleep and dreams of a ladder resting on the Produced by US Living & Learning ground and reaching up to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. God is at together with the Rabbinical Council of the top of the ladder, telling Yaakov that he will inherit the Land and that he will have the United Synagogue plentiful offspring. Yaakov wakes up, having realised the holiness of the place, which Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis is where the Temple would later be built (Rashi). He builds an altar and takes a vow Editorial and Production Team: committing to serve God fully (Ramban). Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 29:1-17 Joanna Rose Yaakov travels eastwards. He sees a well in a field, covered by a large stone. The www.theus.org.uk local shepherds tell Yaakov that the daughter of his uncle Lavan is approaching. ©United Synagogue 2020 Yaakov moves the boulder blocking the well and waters Rachel’s flock. He kisses To sponsor Daf Hashavua please Rachel and weeps. contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, or [email protected] 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 29:18-30:13 If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email Yaakov wants to marry Rachel, the younger sister of Leah, and offers to work for [email protected] Rabbi Isaac ben Moses Arama have been willing to work for her patriarch of the Jewish nation. The (1420–1494), in his commentary for much more than seven years had story of his work and marriage are Akeidat Yitzchak, writes that it he needed to; not, as the simple not just the story of his life, but would have been far more easily translation suggests, that the years the story of an entire people - the understood had the Torah stated passed quickly but that they were a story of how Am Yisrael (the Jewish that these days seemed in Yaakov’s minimal price to pay. people) was founded and began to eyes like a thousand years. How Perhaps there is an additional fulfil their mission set by God in this could he have felt the time passing answer. The stories of Yaakov’s world. so quickly? life, which make up this sidra, Yaakov knew that. He knew that Rabbi Ovadiah ben Yaakov Sforno seem to have little to do with the everything he was doing would fit (1475-1550) suggests that these spiritual and more to do with the into the bigger picture of Am Yisrael words are an indication of Yaakov’s mundane. Most of the details the and their role in the world. He knew deep love for Rachel. He would Torah records are about how long he that his marriage would continue worked, how much he earned and that chain and perpetuate the whom he married. Rather than tests Jewish people. This mission would of faith from which we can learn, not take days or weeks or even a we are faced with a biography and lifetime to complete, but rather the employment history. Why does it all entire span of Jewish history. In the matter? context of that story, seven years The answer is that Yaakov was really were like just a few days. not just any individual – he was a In a world that celebrates the moment and so much is focused This mission would not on that which can be instantly attained, the Torah teaches us to take days or weeks have a broader perspective. This or even a lifetime to urges us to view ourselves as part of a collective destiny and to realise complete, but rather that every moment has meaning, not the entire span of just for ourselves, but as part of a Jewish history. bigger story. Lavan for seven years as payment. Although Lavan agrees, Point to Consider: What is the connection between the when the time comes, he tricks Yaakov, swapping Rachel birth of Yosef and Yaakov’s demand to leave? (see Rashi to for Leah. Lavan defends his actions and agrees to let 30:25) Yaakov marry Rachel a week later, if he works for another seven years. Leah, unlike Rachel, is blessed with children: 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 30:28-31:16 Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehuda. Rachel gives Yaakov Lavan asks Yaakov to stay on and to specify his payment. her maidservant Bilhah to conceive ‘on her behalf’. Bilhah Yaakov replies that he will keep the plain-looking animals gives birth to Dan and Naftali. Leah then gives Yaakov her currently in the flock, and any offspring born to them with maidservant Zilpah, who gives birth to Gad and Asher. unusual-patterned skin. Yaakov becomes very prosperous. Lavan’s sons accuse Yaakov of theft. God tells Yaakov to 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 30:14-27 return to Cana’an immediately. Rachel and Leah agree to Reuven finds some dudaim (jasmine – Rashi) in the field and leave. brings them to his mother Leah. Rachel asks for some of the jasmine. Leah agrees, but only in return for the right to sleep 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 31:17-42 that night with Yaakov. Leah conceives and has a fifth son, Yaakov’s entire family leaves. Lavan finds this out three days Yissachar. This is followed by a sixth, Zevulun. She then has later and chases after Yaakov, catching up with him at Mount a daughter, Dinah. Rachel finally has a child, Yosef. Yaakov Gilad. God appears to Lavan in a dream, telling him not to demands that Lavan let him return home after all his years harm Yaakov. Lavan criticises Yaakov for fleeing and for of work. stealing his idols. Yaakov denies the latter charge, unaware Make it or Break it by Rabbi Michoel Rose, Cardiff United Synagogue A difficult, dark time, defending a set of values then said to be lonely, cold winter many will have a tough journey and old-fashioned in the new Hellenic age, ever faced, in the midst of the Covid a big effort, followed a small core of our people never lost pandemic. At times like these we may by relief, spiritual and their faith in the Almighty. Now each feel demoralised, broken, like a crushed material abundance and year in the middle of winter we have olive. the realisation of what is real, what is the holiday of Chanukah, which is an From the enduring history of our precious and what is true. expression of our faith in the miraculous people we cull strength, inspiration, This is a theme we seem to come ways of our Heavenly Father and the and trust, that there will come brighter across quite often throughout our strength of our belief against the odds. days. From our efforts now, doing what people’s history. The ‘star’ of our Chanukah is right, following the illuminating path This week's sidra opens with Yaakov, celebrations, the simple olive, contains of the Torah and caring for others, a young man who, fleeing his murderous within it a great, pure source of light; goodness will come blossoming forth brother, leaves his sheltered life, from so pure it is the fuel of choice for from this challenging time.