* SHABAT SHALOM *

PARASHAT

* VAYETZE *

* TORAH * STUDY

OF THE WEEK

- Rachel on a Camel & Jacob & leah Walking

PARASHAT

VAYETZE

Complicated Relationships

The emotional struggles of our ancestors can help guide us today

Two sisters struggle for the love of the same man, one can't get pregnant, and jealousy ensues. No, it's not the plot of asoap opera--it's this week's Torah portion & MORE&g;

Weekly * TORAH * STUDY

PARASHAT

VAYETZE

In this Torah portion, Jacob has a dream with angels going up and down a ladder from earth to heaven. God appears before Jacob, renewing the covenant that God had made with Abraham. Jacob sees Rachel, Laban's daughter, tending to sheep and wishes to marry her. Laban tricks Jacob into marrying his eldest daughter, Leah, after seven years of labor. In exchange for another seven years of work, Jacob is allowed to marry Rachel. Jacob has many sons with Leah, but Rachel is unable to conceive. Finally, God blesses Rachel, and she has a son, whom she names joseph

WEEKLY

* TORAH *

READING

* Parashat * Vayetze

On his way to his uncle Laban's, Jacob dreams of a ladder

that stretches up from earth to heaven. There are

angels of God ascending and descending the ladder.

God stands behind Jacob and says, "I am God, the God

of your father Abraham and the God of your father Isaac.

I will give to you and your seed the land where you are sleeping

And your seed will be as dust of the earth and spread in all

directions, and through you will all the families on earth be

blessed. I am with you and will guard you. I will not leave

you until I have accomplished what I have promised."

Harav * KOOK * Institute

Following Parashat Hashavua

* VAYETZE *

The Prayers of the Avot

Prayer before Sleep

The Blessing of a Scholar's Presence

The Rivalry between Rachel and Leah