This week's portion, Vayishlach: Genesis 32:4 - 36:43, describes Jacob's dramatic return to his home of Hebron in the Holy Land. By journey's end, Esau and Jacob have reconciled and Rachel has died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin. Both of these accounts have profound spiritual consequences for Jews beyond Jacob's lifetime until today and beyond.
Reconciliation between the brothers comes only after Jacob prevails in a nighttime wresting match with Esau's guardian angel. At dawn, the angel gives Jacob all of the blessings and responsibilities required for his role as the last Patriarch of the Jewish nation, building on the prior blessings that Jacob received from Isaac. Reasons for Jacob's favored status over Esau contain many profound and relevant explanations; however, a Kabbalistic version states that Jacob was conceived first, entitling him to the gifts of the "first born" twin. Esau emerged from the womb first, but was actually the second son! This mystical yet practical explanation highlights the absolute truth that life does begin at conception - and that traditional Jewish thought reflects this fact.
Rachel is 36 years old when she dies giving birth to Benjamin. The year is approximately 1554 BCE. She dies near the town of Bethlehem. Rather than take her body home for burial, Jacob buries her near the road according to guidance from HaShem. Rachel's spiritual presence in this place would be of immense significance for future Jews traveling in exile from Jerusalem after the Babylonian conquest in 422 BCE, when Rachel would pray for the exiled Jews as they passed her tomb on their way to Babylon. This prophecy was fulfilled, as Jeremiah. 31:14-16 attests: "A cry is heard in Ramah-wailing, bitter weeping-Rachel weeping for her children, she refuses to be comforted for her children, who are gone. Thus said the Lord: Restrain your voice from weeping, your eyes from shedding tears; for there is a reward for your labor-declares the Lord: They shall return from the enemy's land. And there is hope for your future-declares the Lord: Your children shall return to their country"
Our post abortion healing program, entitled Tikvat Rachel, (Rachel's Hope For All Of Her Children Both Born And Unborn), addresses the spiritual and emotional wounds of the Jewish abortion experience. It returns the spiritually exiled post abortive Jew to their covenant with Hashem, and consoles the grief stricken Jewish mother and father, alleviating the pain and regret of the abortion and the loss of their child. We host a confidential anonymous support call the first week of every month and offer an email study during the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Please visit the Facebook page for the current scheduled call and view the Tikvat Rachel brochure to learn more about this helpful program.
Gevalt! It IS alive before It's born!
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