Weekly Torah portion
Parascha Vayetzei ויצא
Genesis (Bereschit) · Genesis 28:10-32:3
„And he went out"
Summary
Jacob flees from his brother Esau and stops to sleep at a holy place. In a dream, he sees a ladder reaching toward heaven with angels ascending and descending, where G"d promises him the land and many descendants.
He arrives in Haran and works for his uncle Laban. Jacob falls in love with Rachel, but he is tricked into marrying her older sister Leah first, eventually marrying both and two concubines, fathering twelve children.
After twenty years of labor and increasing his wealth, Jacob decides to return to the land of Israel. He departs secretly with his family, eventually making a covenant of peace with Laban before continuing his journey.
People
Jacob
The third patriarch of the Jewish people who receives the blessing of Bethel.
Rachel
Jacob's beloved wife who is initially childless but later gives birth to Joseph.
Leah
The elder daughter of Laban who becomes the mother of six of Jacob's sons.
Laban
Jacob's uncle and father-in-law who is known for his deception regarding work and marriage.
Bilhah
Rachel's handmaid who becomes a wife to Jacob and mother of Dan and Naphtali.
Zilpah
Leah's handmaid who becomes a wife to Jacob and mother of Gad and Asher.
Key commandments (mitzvot)
Traditionally no commandments are counted in this portion.
Full text
Quiz & badge
Answer every question correctly to earn the badge.
1. What did Jacob see in his dream at the beginning of the portion?
2. How many years did Jacob work in total to marry Rachel?
3. Which son was Rachel's firstborn?
4. What did Jacob name the place where he had his dream of the ladder?