Parasha Vayishlach (וישלח) — Bereshit 32:4 – 36:43. Read on Shabbat, November 28, 2026.
Summary of Parasha Vayishlach
Yaakov sends messengers to his brother Esav, in the land of Seir. They return with the news that Esav is advancing with four hundred men. Yaakov, frightened, divides his camp in two, prays to G-d and has lavish gifts of livestock sent to Esav. At night, after bringing his family across the ford of the Yabbok, he remains alone: a man wrestles with him until dawn, touches him at the socket of the hip and, before leaving, changes his name to Israel. From this comes the prohibition against eating the sciatic nerve. The next day, Yaakov bows down seven times before Esav, who embraces him; the two brothers part in peace. Yaakov settles in Sukkot, then near Shechem. There Dinah is abducted and violated by Shechem, son of Chamor; Shimon and Levi avenge their sister by killing the men of the city, for which Yaakov reproaches them. At G-d’s command, Yaakov goes to Beit El, where he builds an altar; G-d confirms the name Israel for him and the promise of the land. On the road to Efrat, Rachel dies giving birth to Binyamin and is buried there. Yitzchak dies at the age of one hundred and eighty, and Esav and Yaakov bury him. The parasha ends with the long genealogy of Esav, who is Edom, and of the kings of Edom.
The Themes
- Yaakov’s struggle
- From the name Yaakov to the name Israel
- Reconciliation between brothers
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s Lectures on Vayishlach
- Vayishlach: How to Avoid the Confrontation with Esav
- Vayishlach: From Yaakov to Israel
- Vayishlach: The Tragedy of Dinah
Study booklets for each lecture: questions for the Shabbat table
A Question for the Shabbat Table
Yaakov prays, sends gifts and prepares for battle: how should one prepare to face again someone with whom one is in conflict?
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Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are found in his lectures, linked above.