| ב"ה |  | Seymour J. Abrams Cheder Lubavitch Hebrew Day School | | | Candle Lighting Times for Skokie: | | | Message from the Dean | | | | Judaism teaches us that belief in a higher power is central to our faith. We pray three times a day, ideally with a minyan, yet prayer can happen anywhere—at home, work, or even on a bus. While we often think of prayer as a request for spiritual matters, we are encouraged to include the mundane as well. Prayer is more than just words; it's an opportunity to connect with the Infinite, the source of all existence. This lesson is illustrated in the life of our patriarch Jacob, described in the opening verses of this week's Torah reading. Fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob finds himself at the holiest place on earth—Mount Moriah, later known as the Temple Mount. After a divine dream of angels ascending to Heaven, Jacob awakens with the realization of where he is. Yet instead of praying for spiritual growth or wisdom, he prays for food, shelter, and clothing—basic, material needs. Why? Because G-d's presence is not limited to the spiritual. His infinity means He is in every part of our lives, not just the sacred moments. G-d desires our connection in all areas, even the mundane. This is a powerful message, especially as we reflect on last week's Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries, Chabad rabbis from all over the world gathered to strengthen our mission, a mission founded on the teaching that bringing G-d into every aspect of life is where His true essence is revealed. Whether in our prayers or daily actions, we make the Infinite tangible by inviting G-d into every moment. Shabbat shalom, | | | | |  | Parshah in a Nutshell |
Parshat Vayeitzei The name of the Parshah, "Vayetze," means "And he left" and it is found in Genesis 28:10. Jacob leaves his hometown of Beersheba and journeys to Charan. On the way, he encounters " the place" and sleeps there, dreaming of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels climbing and descending on it; G‑d appears and promises that the land upon which he lies will be given to his descendants. In the morning, Jacob raises the stone on which he laid his head as an altar and monument, pledging that it will be made the house of G‑d. In Charan, Jacob stays with and works for his uncle Laban, tending Laban's sheep. Laban agrees to give him his younger daughter, Rachel— whom Jacob loves—in marriage, in return for seven years' labor. But on the wedding night, Laban gives him his elder daughter, Leah, instead—a deception Jacob discovers only in the morning. Jacob marries Rachel, too, a week later, after agreeing to work another seven years for Laban. Leah gives birth to six sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun—and a daughter, Dinah, while Rachel remains barren. Rachel gives Jacob her handmaid, Bilhah, as a wife to bear children in her stead, and two more sons, Dan and Naphtali, are born. Leah does the same with her handmaid, Zilpah, who gives birth to Gad and Asher. Finally, Rachel's prayers are answered and she gives birth to Joseph. Jacob has now been in Charan for 14 years, and wishes to return home. But Laban persuades him to remain, now offering him sheep in return for his labor. Jacob prospers, despite Laban's repeated attempts to swindle him. After six years, Jacob leaves Charan in stealth, fearing that Laban would prevent him from leaving with the family and property for which he labored. Laban pursues Jacob, but is warned by G‑d in a dream not to harm him. Laban and Jacob make a pact on Mount Gal-Ed, attested to by a pile of stones, and Jacob proceeds to the Holy Land, where he is met by angels. Learn: Vayetze in Depth
Browse: Vayetze Parshah Columnists
Prep: Devar Torah Q&A for Vayetze
Read: Haftarah in a Nutshell
Play: Vayetze Parshah Quiz | | | | | 5201 West Howard Street, Skokie 847-675-6777 | |
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