Vayera 2016 [And I appeared]

Torah Portion:  Exodus 6:2-9:35

Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

New Testament:  Rev. 3:10-13, Luke 21:19, 2 Cor. 7:9, 10

 

In today’s lesson, the God of the Hebrews, as He calls Himself six times in the Book of Exodus, makes Ten Declarations. The first and the last are identical.

1. I am יהוה 
2. I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
3. I will rid you of their bondage.
4. I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments.
5. I will take you to Me for a people.
6. I will be your God.
7. You shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
9. I will give it to you for a heritage.
10. I am יהוה

VAYISHLACH – AND HE SENT

Torah Portion: Genesis 32:4 through Genesis 36:43
Haftarah: Hosea 11:7 through Hosea 12:12 or Obadiah 1:1-21
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Rev 7:1-7

Jacob and his family return to his father’s house.

This week we will see Jacob return to the land of Israel after an absence of 34 years.  Fourteen of these years are unaccounted for in Scripture and the sages of Israel surmise they were wisely spent in Eber’s house of study.  The remaining 20 years were spent in toil in Laban’s house, where Jacob’s children were born in the midst of fierce competition between his wives.  Sage Iben Ezra estimates Reuben to be 12 years of age at the time of Jacob’s departure for Israel.  Jacob’s return to the land portends much for the return of his children at the end of days.