7: Vayetzei
Welcome to TLDR Torah: a synopsis of the weekly parsha based on Robert Alter’s translation, plus a question to spur your Shabbat dinner (or any!) conversation.
Parsha Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3)
TLDR:
After receiving his father’s blessing, Jacob travels to Haran. On the way, he dreams of a ramp going up to the sky with angels alongside.
Jacob, always the deal-maker, makes a conditional vow with God: if God protects him on the journey, he’ll be a believer.
Jacob encounters a well blocked by a rock. When Rachel, Laban’s daughter, approaches with her flock, Jacob single-handedly removes the rock for her.
Jacob promises to serve Laban for seven years in return for marrying Rachel. But karma catches up to him! Tricked by Laban, he marries Leah first. One week later, he marries Rachel but commits to another seven years of labor.
Leah, unloved by Jacob, conceives. Rachel is barren. There’s a long baby line-up. Leah: 4 sons // Bilhah (Rachel’s maid): 2 sons // Zilpah (Leah’s maid): 2 sons // Leah: 2 sons and 1 daughter… and finally Rachel has Joseph. Amidst the baby-making, there’s a strange incident in which Rachel trades a night with Jacob for Leah’s son’s mandrakes.
Planning a return home, Jacob makes a deal with Laban. The young Gregor Mendel protégé is crafty. Jacob agrees to keep only future black sheep for himself. Laban scoffs at that. After all, Jacob was only starting with a few white sheep, so how could he produce black ones? Alas, with some special water and thoughtful genetic breeding, Jacob grows wealthy.
Jacob’s relationship with Laban deteriorates, so he flees with his family. Rachel steals Laban’s idols on the way out. When Laban catches up and searches for them, Rachel sits on the idols and cites her period to avoid standing up.
Laban and Jacob make amends with a sacrifice.
Question:
Jacob is a difficult person. He fights with his brother, argues with his mom, tricks his dad, clashes with his father-in-law, disappoints Leah, gets in a marital spat with Rachel (and I skipped this part above), and even makes his relationship with God conditional. What character flaw(s) is causing these relationships to break down? Is there a redeeming side-effect to the flaw(s)?