"…something like the supervisor of an entire team of political agents…"
In brief: Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons, and once again it’s a good day to be the youngest child. Jacob then gathers his sons and delivers a series of prophecies that to be honest sound a little bit insulting here and there. For example: “Dan shall be a serpent by the road, a viper by … Read more
Some books you keep for the inscription, not for the book. The spine on your shelf reminds you of the moment they gave you that present, the feeling of something landing when you opened it later that night. I mean, Herman Wouk is not your thing. Never became your thing. But you can see the … Read more
In brief: Va-Yiggash starts out just as Joseph has demanded Benjamin be left behind and their father brought to Egypt, all on account of a super important stolen-but-not-really-stolen goblet that we’ll never hear about again. Trickery! After some sobbing and neck kissing, all is well in the family, and a score of he and she-assess … Read more
In brief: Joseph gets a haircut, some new clothes, some more new clothes, a wife, two kids, and nigh-Pharaoh-like power over the kingdom. So all in all, a pretty good bounce back for this promising young man. Years of abundance pass. And years of famine begin, all as foretold by Joseph, who, like a well-coiffed … Read more
In brief: We meet Jacob’s second-youngest-son Joseph, who is beloved by his father, and a bit of a twerp. Speaking of Joseph’s father, despite being renamed by the Lord, which you would think would count for something, so-called “Israel” is actually still called “Jacob.” This naming thing is complicated. Joseph is sold into slavery. In … Read more
In brief: Jacob journeys back to Esau, worried, aware of the weight of what he’s done, seeking to make amends. Along the way, he wrestles with a mysterious figure and comes away with a limp to remind him of the struggle. These struggles, they leave their mark. The mysterious figure names Jacob “Israel,” but it … Read more
In brief: In Va-Yese’ we get the first of Jacob’s dreams, as well as the first mention of the tithe, one of those little ideas that has had gigantic implications. Jacob meets Rachel and Leah. Jacob the trickster is tricked by his father-in-law. The family grows, with as many kids roughly, as there is sand … Read more
In brief: Toledot kicks off the story of Isaac and his family of tricksters. I mean no disrespect here. But it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that everyone in this family is, well, one who tricks. Almost everyone that is. More on that in a moment. We learn that Esau — Isaac and Rebekah’s eldest … Read more
In brief: Ḥayyei Sarah translates to “Life of Sarah.” This section focuses on Sarah’s passing, the arrival of Rebekah, and Abraham’s passing and burial. It surprised me that the story of Sarah’s passing would be referred to as “life of Sarah.” A minute or two of searching around, and our old friend wikipedia offered up … Read more
In brief: 3 wise men visit Abraham and Sarah and make Sarah laugh, which seems to perplex or perhaps annoy God, who is super no-nonsense about the whole thing (I did not laugh, says Sarah. And God replies, “You did laugh.” So you know, cut it out.) The more likable Abraham I remember from my … Read more