Parashat Vayishlach: Jacob’s Encounter

After struggling with a "man," Jacob reconciles with Esau in this parasha. The prince Shechem rapes Dinah, and Dinah's brothers sack Shechem in retaliation. Rachel gives birth to Benjamin and dies in delivery during the family's subsequent departure.
Vayishlach - Jacob Wrestling with the Angel by Rembrandt
[Source photo: Vayishlach - Jacob Wrestling with the Angel by Rembrandt]

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The parasha tells the stories of Abraham’s negotiations to purchase a burial place for
AspectDescription
Parashah Name“Vayishlach” in Hebrew, signifying “And He Sent” and capturing the essence of Jacob sending messengers to Esau before their meeting.
Biblical ReferenceGenesis 32:4 – 36:43
Key CharactersJacob (Israel), Esau, Dinah, Leah, Rachel, Simeon, Levi, Benjamin.
EventsJacob’s preparations to encounter Esau, his wrestling match with the angel, the reconciliation with Esau, the incident involving Dinah and Shechem, Rachel’s death, and the genealogy of Esau’s descendants.
SignificanceExplores themes of reconciliation, forgiveness, internal struggles, and the transformative power of divine encounters. Emphasizes the potential for healing within fractured relationships.
Key ThemesReconciliation, forgiveness, internal and spiritual struggles, familial bonds, grief, and the enduring impact of encounters with the divine.
Notable FeaturesJacob’s wrestling match with the angel, the reconciliation with Esau, the tragic episode involving Dinah, and Rachel’s death during the birth of Benjamin.
Modern RelevanceEncourages reflection on personal growth through challenges, the importance of forgiveness in relationships, and the transformative nature of spiritual encounters.
Historical ContextProvides insights into ancient customs related to family dynamics, sibling relationships, and the challenges of tribal existence.
LegacySets the stage for the continued narrative of the Israelite people, showcasing the resilience and growth of the patriarch Jacob amid complex family dynamics.

Parashat Vayishlach is the eighth weekly Torah portion in the book of Genesis (Bereshit), spanning Genesis 32:4–36:43. This portion continues the intricate tapestry of Jacob’s life and unfolds several significant events.

The narrative begins with Jacob’s anticipation and anxiety as he prepares to meet his estranged brother, Esau, who is approaching with 400 men. Fearing for his safety, Jacob divides his camp and engages in a heartfelt prayer for protection.

A pivotal moment in Vayishlach is Jacob’s mysterious nighttime wrestling match. Traditionally interpreted as an encounter with an angel, this struggle symbolizes Jacob’s internal and spiritual battles. Emerging victorious, Jacob receives a new name, Israel, reflecting his triumph over both God and man.

The parashah reaches its emotional zenith with the long-dreaded reunion of Jacob and Esau. Contrary to Jacob’s apprehensions, Esau warmly embraces his brother, fostering a powerful reconciliation. This theme emphasizes forgiveness, familial bonds, and the potential for transformation.

However, amidst these positive developments, a tragic episode unfolds involving Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, and Shechem, a Hivite prince. The aftermath sees Dinah’s brothers, Simeon and Levi, enact a deceitful plan to avenge their sister, resulting in a violent confrontation.

As the narrative unfolds, we witness the heartbreaking death of Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, during the birth of Benjamin. Jacob’s grief is palpable, and he erects a monument in her memory.

The parashah concludes with a genealogy detailing Esau’s descendants, providing a broader context for the historical trajectory of these two brothers.

Parashat Vayishlach explores themes of reconciliation, forgiveness, and the transformative power of encounters with the divine. The wrestling match serves as a metaphor for the internal struggles we face on our spiritual journeys. The reunion with Esau demonstrates the potential for healing and forgiveness within fractured relationships. The narrative, while poignant and challenging, ultimately reinforces the enduring resilience and growth of the patriarch Jacob, setting the stage for the continued narrative of the Israelite people.

וישלח

בראשית ל״ב:ד׳-ל״ו:מ״ג

Vayishlach

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom,
and instructed them as follows, “Thus shall you say, ‘To my lord Esau, thus says your servant Jacob: I stayed with Laban and remained until now;
I have acquired cattle, asses, sheep, and male and female slaves; and I send this message to my lord in the hope of gaining your favor.’”
The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau; he himself is coming to meet you, and his retinue numbers four hundred.”
Jacob was greatly frightened; in his anxiety, he divided the people with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps,
thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, the other camp may yet escape.”
Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham’s [house] and God of my father Isaac’s [house], O יהוה, who said to me, ‘Return to your native land and I will deal bountifully with you’!
I am unworthy of all the kindness that You have so steadfastly shown Your servant: with my staff alone I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.
Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; else, I fear, he may come and strike me down, mothers and children alike.
Yet You have said, ‘I will deal bountifully with you and make your offspring as the sands of the sea, which are too numerous to count.’”
Second
After spending the night there, he selected from what was at hand these presents for his brother Esau:
200 she-goats and 20 he-goats; 200 ewes and 20 rams;
30 milch camels with their colts; 40 cows and 10 bulls; 20 she-asses and 10 he-asses.
These he put in the charge of his servants, drove by drove, and he told his servants, “Go on ahead, and keep a distance between droves.”
He instructed the one in front as follows, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, ‘Who’s your master? Where are you going? And whose [animals] are these ahead of you?’
you shall answer, ‘Your servant Jacob’s; they are a gift sent to my lord Esau; and [Jacob] himself is right behind us.’”
He gave similar instructions to the second one, and the third, and all the others who followed the droves, namely, “Thus and so shall you say to Esau when you reach him.
And you shall add, ‘And your servant Jacob himself is right behind us.’” For he reasoned, “If I propitiate him with presents in advance, and then face him, perhaps he will show me favor.”
And so the gift went on ahead, while he remained in camp that night.
That same night he arose, and taking his two wives, his two maidservants, and his eleven sons, he crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
After taking them across the stream, he sent across all his possessions.
Jacob was left alone. And a figure wrestled with him until the break of dawn.
When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he wrenched Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the socket of his hip was strained as he wrestled with him.
Then he said, “Let me go, for dawn is breaking.” But he answered, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”
Said the other, “What is your name?” He replied, “Jacob.”
Said he, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed.”
Jacob asked, “Pray tell me your name.” But he said, “You must not ask my name!” And he took leave of him there.
Third
So Jacob named the place Peniel, meaning, “I have seen a divine being face to face, yet my life has been preserved.”
The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping on his hip.
That is why the children of Israel to this day do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the socket of the hip, since Jacob’s hip socket was wrenched at the thigh muscle.
33
Looking up, Jacob saw Esau coming, with a retinue of four hundred. He divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maids,
putting the maids and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.
He himself went on ahead and bowed low to the ground seven times until he was near his brother.
Esau ran to greet him. He embraced him and, falling on his neck, he kissed him; and they wept.
Looking about, he saw the women and the children. “Who,” he asked, “are these with you?” He answered, “The children with whom God has favored your servant.”
Fourth
Then the maids, with their children, came forward and bowed low;
next Leah, with her children, came forward and bowed low; and last, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed low.
And he asked, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” He answered, “To gain my lord’s favor.”
Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; let what you have remain yours.”
But Jacob said, “No, I pray you; if you would do me this favor, accept from me this gift; for to see your face is like seeing the face of God, and you have received me favorably.
Please accept my present which has been brought to you, for God has favored me and I have plenty.” And when he urged him, he accepted.
And [Esau] said, “Let us start on our journey, and I will proceed at your pace.”
But he said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail and that the flocks and herds, which are nursing, are a care to me; if they are driven hard a single day, all the flocks will die.
Let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I travel slowly, at the pace of the cattle before me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”
Then Esau said, “Let me assign to you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “Oh no, my lord is too kind to me!”
So Esau started back that day on his way to Seir.
But Jacob journeyed on to Succoth, and built a house for himself and made stalls for his cattle; that is why the place was called Succoth.
Jacob arrived safe in the city of Shechem which is in the land of Canaan—having come thus from Paddan-aram—and he encamped before the city.
The parcel of land where he pitched his tent he purchased from the kin of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred kesitahs.
He set up an altar there, and called it El-elohe-yisrael.
34
Fifth
Now Dinah, the daughter whom Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land.
Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, chief of the country, saw her, and took her and lay with her and disgraced her.
Being strongly drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob, and in love with the maiden, he spoke to the maiden tenderly.
So Shechem said to his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as a wife.”
Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah; but since his sons were in the field with his cattle, Jacob kept silent until they came home.
Then Shechem’s father Hamor came out to Jacob to speak to him.
Meanwhile Jacob’s sons, having heard the news, came in from the field. The men were distressed and very angry, because he had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing not to be done.
And Hamor spoke with them, saying, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him in marriage.
Intermarry with us: give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves:
You will dwell among us, and the land will be open before you; settle, move about, and acquire holdings in it.”
Then Shechem said to her father and brothers, “Do me this favor, and I will pay whatever you tell me.
Ask of me a bride-price ever so high, as well as gifts, and I will pay what you tell me; only give me the maiden for a wife.”
Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor—speaking with guile because he had defiled their sister Dinah—
and said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised, for that is a disgrace among us.
Only on this condition will we agree with you; that you will become like us in that every male among you is circumcised.
Then we will give our daughters to you and take your daughters to ourselves; and we will dwell among you and become as one kindred.
But if you will not listen to us and become circumcised, we will take our daughter and go.”
Their words pleased Hamor and Hamor’s son Shechem.
And the youth lost no time in doing the thing, for he wanted Jacob’s daughter. Now he was the most respected in his father’s house.
So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the public place of their town and spoke to their town council, saying,
“These people are our friends; let them settle in the land and move about in it, for the land is large enough for them; we will take their daughters to ourselves as wives and give our daughters to them.
But only on this condition will their representatives agree with us to dwell among us and be as one kindred: that all our males become circumcised as they are circumcised.
Their cattle and substance and all their beasts will be ours, if we only agree to their terms, so that they will settle among us.”
All his fellow townsmen heeded Hamor and his son Shechem, and all males, all his fellow townsmen, were circumcised.
On the third day, when they were in pain, Simeon and Levi, two of Jacob’s sons, brothers of Dinah, took each his sword, came upon the city unmolested, and slew all the males.
They put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword, took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away.
The other sons of Jacob came upon the slain and plundered the town, because their sister had been defiled.
They seized their flocks and herds and asses, all that was inside the town and outside;
all their wealth, all their children, and their wives, all that was in the houses, they took as captives and booty.
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me, making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites; my fighters are few in number, so that if they unite against me and attack me, I and my house will be destroyed.”
But they answered, “Should our sister be treated like a whore?”
35
God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and remain there; and build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.”
So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Rid yourselves of the alien gods in your midst, purify yourselves, and change your clothes.
Come, let us go up to Bethel, and I will build an altar there to the God who answered me when I was in distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”
They gave to Jacob all the alien gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the terebinth that was near Shechem.
As they set out, a terror from God fell on the cities round about, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
Thus Jacob came to Luz—that is, Bethel—in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.
There he built an altar and named the site El-bethel, for it was there that God had been revealed to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and was buried under the oak below Bethel; so it was named Allon-bacuth.
God appeared again to Jacob on his arrival from Paddan-aram. God blessed him,
saying to him,
“You whose name is Jacob,
You shall be called Jacob no more,
But Israel shall be your name.” Thus he was named Israel.
And God said to him,
“I am El Shaddai.
Be fertile and increase;
A nation, yea an assembly of nations,
Shall descend from you.
Kings shall issue from your loins.
Sixth
The land that I assigned to Abraham and Isaac
I assign to you;
And to your offspring to come
Will I assign the land.”
God parted from him at the spot where [God] had spoken to him;
and Jacob set up a pillar at the site where [God] had spoken to him, a pillar of stone, and he offered a libation on it and poured oil upon it.
Jacob gave the site, where God had spoken to him, the name of Bethel.
They set out from Bethel; but when they were still some distance short of Ephrath, Rachel was in childbirth, and she had hard labor.
When her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Have no fear, for it is another boy for you.”
But as she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.
Thus Rachel died. She was buried on the road to Ephrath—now Bethlehem.
Over her grave Jacob set up a pillar; it is the pillar at Rachel’s grave to this day.
Israel journeyed on, and pitched his tent beyond Migdal-eder.
While Israel stayed in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine; and Israel found out. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve in number.
The sons of Leah: Reuben—Jacob’s first-born—Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.
The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid: Dan and Naphtali.
And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s maid: Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
And Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, at Kiriath-arba—now Hebron—where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned.
Isaac was a hundred and eighty years old
when he breathed his last and died. He was gathered to his kin in ripe old age; and he was buried by his sons Esau and Jacob.
36
This is the line of Esau—that is, Edom.
Esau took his wives from among the Canaanite women—Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah daughter of Zibeon the Hivite —
and also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz; Basemath bore Reuel;
and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. Those were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
Esau took his wives, his sons and daughters, and all the members of his household, his cattle and all his livestock, and all the property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land because of his brother Jacob.
For their possessions were too many for them to dwell together, and the land where they sojourned could not support them because of their livestock.
So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir—Esau being Edom.
This, then, is the line of Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites, in the hill country of Seir.
These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Esau’s wife Adah; Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath.
The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.
Timna was a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. Those were the descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.
And these were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. Those were the descendants of Esau’s wife Basemath.
And these were the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, daughter of Anah daughter of Zibeon: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
These are the clans of the sons of Esau. The descendants of Esau’s first-born Eliphaz: the clans Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the clans of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. Those are the descendants of Adah.
And these are the descendants of Esau’s son Reuel: the clans Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the clans of Reuel in the land of Edom. Those are the descendants of Esau’s wife Basemath.
And these are the descendants of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: the clans Jeush, Jalam, and Korah; these are the clans of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.
Those were the sons of Esau—that is, Edom—and those are their clans.
Seventh
These were the sons of Seir the Horite, who were settled in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. Those are the clans of the Horites, the descendants of Seir, in the land of Edom.
The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.
The sons of Shobal were these: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
The sons of Zibeon were these: Aiah and Anah—that was the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the wilderness while pasturing the asses of his father Zibeon.
The children of Anah were these: Dishon and Anah’s daughter Oholibamah.
The sons of Dishon were these: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
The sons of Ezer were these: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.
And the sons of Dishan were these: Uz and Aran.
These are the clans of the Horites: the clans Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. Those are the clans of the Horites, clan by clan, in the land of Seir.
These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites.
Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah, from Bozrah, succeeded him as king.
When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.
When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated the Midianites in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king; the name of his city was Avith.
When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah succeeded him as king.
When Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-on-the-river succeeded him as king.
When Saul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor succeeded him as king.
And when Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadar succeeded him as king; the name of his city was Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred daughter of Me-zahab.
These are the names of the clans of Esau, each with its families and locality, name by name: the clans Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
Magdiel, and Iram. Those are the clans of Edom—that is, of Esau, father of the Edomites—by their settlements in the land which they hold.

עובדיה

א׳:א׳-כ״א

Obadiah

1:1-21

more on Parashat Parashat Vayishlach: Jacob’s Encounter

Quick Guide: The Five Books of Moses

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy
Bereshit
(1:1-6:8)
Shemot
(1:1-6:1)
Vayikra
(1:1-5:26)
Bemidbar
(1:1-4:20)
Devarim
(1:1-3:22)
Noach
(6:9-11:32)
Va'era
(6:2-9:35)
Tzav
(6:1-8:36)
Naso
(4:21-7:89)
Va'etchanan
(3:23-7:11)
Lech Lecha
(12:1-17:27)
Bo
(10:1-13:16)
Shemini
(9:1-11:47)
Behaalotecha
(8:1-12:16)
Ekev
(7:12-11:25)
Vayera
(18:1-22:24)
Beshalach
(13:17-17:16)
Tazria
(12:1-13:59)
Shelach
(13:1-15:41)
Re'eh
(11:26-16:17)
Chaye Sarah
(23:1-25:18)
Yitro
(18:1-20:23)
Metzora
(14:1-15:33)
Korach
(16:1-18:32)
Shoftim
(16:18-21:9)
Toledot
(25:19-28:9)
Mishpatim
(21:1-24:18)
Achare Mot
(16:1-18:30)
Chukat
(19:1-22:1)
Ki Tetze
(21:10-25:19)
Vayetze
(28:10-32:3)
Teruma
(25:1-27:19)
Kedoshim
(19:1-20:27)
Balak
(22:2-25:9)
Ki Tavo
(26:1-29:8)
Vayishlach
(32:4-36:43)
Tetzave
(27:20-30:10)
Emor
(21:1-24:23)
Pinchas
(25:10-30:1)
Nitzavim
(29:9-30:20)
Vayeshev
(37:1-40:23)
Ki Tisa
(30:11-34:35)
Behar
(25:1-26:2)
Matot
(30:2-32:42)
Vayelech
(31:1-30)
Miketz
(41:1-44:17)
Vayakhel
(35:1-38:20)
Bechukotai
(26:3-27:34)
Masei
(33:1-36:13)
Haazinu
(32:1-52)
Vayigash
(44:18-47:27)
Pekude
(38:21-40:38)
V'Zot HaBeracha
(33:1-34:12)
Vayechi
(47:28-50:26)

RESOURCES

Mourner’s Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom), traditionally said by mourners––that is, those who have lost a parent during the previous eleven months or a child, sibling, or spouse during the last thirty days––and by those observing the anniversary of the death of those close relatives. (In many contemporary communities, the full congregation says it in support of the mourners, and in memory of the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust, assuming that at least one died on any given day.) The mourner’s Kaddish omits lines 7 and 8 of the Full Kaddish that asks God to answer our prayers because presumably, God did not grant the mourner’s prayers that the relative recover and live).
אבל: יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא
[קהל: אמן] בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכון וּבְיוֹמֵיכון וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן] קהל ואבל: יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא אבל: יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרומַם וְיִתְנַשּא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא. בְּרִיךְ הוּא: [קהל: בריך הוא:] לְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא בעשי”ת: לְעֵלָּא לְעֵלָּא מִכָּל וְשִׁירָתָא תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן] יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן] עושה שָׁלום בִּמְרומָיו הוּא יַעֲשה שָׁלום עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: [קהל: אמן]

וְזֹ֖את הַתּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֣ם מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ תּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ מֹשֶׁ֑ה מוֹרָשָׁ֖ה קְהִלַּ֥ת יַעֲקֹֽב׃ הָאֵל֮ תָּמִ֢ים דַּ֫רְכּ֥וֹ אִמְרַֽת־יְהֹוָ֥ה צְרוּפָ֑ה מָגֵ֥ן ה֝֗וּא לְכֹ֤ל ׀ הַחֹסִ֬ים בּֽוֹ׃

Before reading the Torah:

הַשֵּׁם עִמָּכֶם.
יְבָרֶכְךָ הַשֵּׁם.

בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְהֹוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ:
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְנָתַן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה: [אמן]

After reading the Torah:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת, וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה: [אמן]

Beracha recited before the reading of the Haftara:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם. אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בִּנְבִיאִים טוֹבִים. וְרָצָה בְדִבְרֵיהֶם הַנֶּאֱמָרִים בֶּאֱמֶת. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. הַבּוֹחֵר בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ. וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ. וּבִנְבִיאֵי הָאֱמֶת וָצֶדֶק:

Berachot recited after the reading of the Haftara:

גֹּאֲלֵ֕נוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת שְׁמ֑וֹ קְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם. צוּר כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים. צַדִּיק בְּכָל הַדּוֹרוֹת. הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן הָאוֹמֵר וְעוֹשֶׂה. הַמְדַבֵּר וּמְקַיֵּם שֶׁכָּל דְּבָרָיו אֱמֶת וָצֶדֶק: נֶאֱמָן אַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְנֶאֱמָנִים דְּבָרֶיךָ. וְדָבָר אֶחָד מִדְּבָרֶיךָ אָחוֹר לֹא יָשׁוּב רֵיקָם. כִּי אֵל מֶלֶךְ נֶאֱמָן וְרַחֲמָן אָתָּה: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן בְּכָל דְּבָרָיו:

רַחֵם עַל צִיּוֹן כִּי הִיא בֵּית חַיֵּינוּ. וְלַעֲלוּבַת נֶפֶשׁ תּוֹשִׁיעַ וּתְשַׂמַּח בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. מְשַׂמֵּחַ צִיּוֹן בְּבָנֶיהָ:

שַׂמְּחֵנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּאֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא עַבְדֶּךָ וּבְמַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד מְשִׁיחֶךָ. בִּמְהֵרָה יָבוֹא וְיָגֵל לִבֵּנוּ. עַל כִּסְאוֹ לֹא יֵשֵׁב זָר וְלֹא יִנְחֲלוּ עוֹד אֲחֵרִים אֶת כְּבוֹדוֹ. כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשְׁךָ נִשְׁבַּעְתָּ לוֹ שֶׁלֹּא יִכְבֶּה נֵרוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. מָגֵן דָּוִד:

On Fast-days, the berachot end here. On Shabbat, conclude with this beracha:

עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל הַנְּבִיאִים וְעַל יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה שֶׁנָּתַתָּ לָנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ לִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלִמְנוּחָה לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת: עַל הַכֹּל. יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ. יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת:

On Yom Tov, conclude with this berachah:

עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל הַנְּבִיאִים (לשבת וְעַל יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה), וְעַל יוֹם: לפסח: חַג הַמַּצּוֹת: לשבועות: חַג הַשָׁבוּעוֹת: לסוכות: חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת: לשמ”ע ולש”ת: שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת הֶחָג: הַזֶּה: שֶׁנָּתַתָּ לָנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ (לשבת לִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלִמְנוּחָה) לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה, לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת, עַל הַכֹּל. יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ. יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַּׁבָּת וְ)יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְמַנִים:

On Rosh HaShana, conclude with this berachah:

עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל הַנְּבִיאִים (לשבת וְעַל יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה) וְעַל יוֹם הַזִכָּרוֹן הַזֶּה, שֶׁנָּתַתָּ לָנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ (לשבת לִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלִמְנוּחָה) לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת: עַל הַכֹּל. יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ. יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַּׁבָּת וְ)יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן:

On Yom Kippur, conclude with this berachah:

עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל הַנְּבִיאִים (לשבת וְעַל יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה) וְעַל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הַזֶּה, שֶׁנָּתַתָּ לָנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ (לשבת לִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלִמְנוּחָה) לִמְחִילָה וְלִסְלִיחָה וּלְכַפָּרָה, וְלִמְחוֹל בּוֹ אֶת כָּל עֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ, לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת: עַל הַכֹּל. יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ. יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: וּדְבָרְךָ אֱמֶת וְקַיָם לָעַד, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה. מֶלֶךְ מוֹחֵל וְסוֹלֵחַ לַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ, וְלַעֲוֹנוֹת עַמּוֹ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּמַעֲבִיר אַשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ בְּכָל שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָה, מֶלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ, מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַּׁבָּת וְ)יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים:

מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ לַקָּהָל

Blessing for the Community
This is the blessing recited for the congregation, usually during synagogue services. This blessing is typically offered for the entire community, asking for divine protection, prosperity, and well-being for all members of the congregation.

יְהִי שֵׁם יְהוָה מְבֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם:
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב וּמֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן וְדָוִד וּשְׁלֹמֹה, וְכָל הַקְּהִלּוֹת הַקְּדוֹשׁוֹת וְהַטְּהוֹרוֹת, הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת־כָּל־הַקָּהָל הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַזֶּה, גְּדוֹלִים וּקְטַנִּים, הֵם וּנְשֵׁיהֶם וּבְנֵיהֶם וְתַלְמִידֵיהֶם, וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם. מַלְכָּא דְעָלְמָא הוּא יְבָרֵךְ יַתְכוֹן, וִיזַכֶּה יַתְכוֹן, וְיִשְׁמַע בְּקָל צְלוֹתְכוֹן, תִּתְפָּרְקוּן וְתִשְׁתֵּזְבוּן מִכָּל צָרָה וְעַקְתָּא, וִיהֵא מֵימְרָא דַּיהֹוָה בְּסַעְדְּכֶם, וְיָגֵן בַּעַדְכֶם, וְיִפְרוֹשׂ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמוֹ עֲלֵיכֶם, וְיִטַּע בֵּינֵיכֶם אַהֲבָה וְאַחְוָה, שָׁלוֹם וְרֵעוּת, וִיסַלֵּק שִׂנְאַת חִנָּם מִבֵּינֵיכֶם, וְיִשְׁבּוֹר עֹל הַגּוֹיִם מֵעַל צַוָּארֵיכֶם, וִיקַיֵּם בָּכֶם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֽוֹתֵכֶ֗ם יֹסֵ֧ף עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם כָּכֶ֖ם אֶ֣לֶף פְּעָמִ֑ים וִיבָרֵ֣ךְ אֶתְכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר לָכֶֽם׃ בשבת תשובה וְיִכָּתְבוּ בְסֵפֶר חַיִּים טוֹבִים. וְכֵן יְהִי רָצוֹן וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן:

Tefilat HaDerech (Hebrew: תפילת הדרך), also known as the Traveler’s Prayer or Wayfarer’s Prayer in English, is a prayer for safe travel recited by Jews when traveling by air, sea, or long car trips. It is recited at the start of every journey, preferably standing, but this is not required. It is frequently inscribed on hamsas, which may also include the Shema or Birkat HaBayit prayer.

In the “Blessing of Thanksgiving” (Birkat HaGomel), persons in four different categories should express gratitude to God for His compassion toward them: One who has done one of the following: a) traveled across the ocean (by an international flight, etc.); b) traversed the desert; c) recovered from a very serious illness; d) been released from prison. All other potentially fatal circumstances that one escapes, such as a wall crumbling on him, an ox goring him, thieves, auto accidents, etc., fall under the category of desert.

Recite the following:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב.

Response:

מִי שֶׁגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב הוּא יִגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב סֶלָה.

NameSymbolSephardi
Sof passukב׃‎סוֹף פָּסֽוּק‎
Sof pasuk
Etnachtaב֑‎אַתְנָ֑ח‎
Atnaḥ
Segolב֒‎סְגוֹלְתָּא֒‎
Segolta
Shalsheletב֓‎שַׁלְשֶׁ֓לֶת‎
Šalšeleþ
Zakef katanב֔‎זָקֵף קָט֔וֹן‎
Záqéf Qáţown
Zakef gadolב֕‎זָקֵף גָּד֕וֹל‎
Záqéf Ggádowl
Tifchaב֖‎טַרְחָ֖א‎
Tarḥa
Riviaב֗‎רְבִ֗יע‎
Revia
Zarkaב֮‎זַרְקָא֮‎
Zarqa
Pashtaב֙‎קַדְמָא֙‎
Qadma
Shene pashtinב֨‎ב֙‎תְּרֵ֨י קַדְמִין֙‎
Tere qadmin
Yetivב֚‎יְ֚תִיב‎
Yetiv
Tevirב֛‎תְּבִ֛יר‎
Tviyr
Pazerב֡‎פָּזֶר גָּד֡וֹל‎
Pazer gadol
Qarne farahב֟‎קַרְנֵי פָרָ֟ה‎
Qarne farah
Telisha gedolaב֠‎תִּ֠רְצָה‎
Tirtzah
Gereshב֜‎גְּרִ֜ישׁ‎
Gerish
Gershayimב֞‎שְׁנֵי גְרִישִׁ֞ין‎
Shene gerishin
Munachב׀‎פָּסֵ֣ק׀‎
Paseq
Merchaב֥‎מַאֲרִ֥יךְ‎
Maarich
Munachב֣‎שׁוֹפָר הוֹלֵ֣ךְ‎
Shofar holech
Mahpachב֤‎‏(שׁוֹפָר) מְהֻפָּ֤ךְ‎
(Shofar) mehuppach
Dargaב֧‎דַּרְגָּ֧א‎
Ddarggá
Kadmaב֨‎אַזְלָ֨א or קַדְמָ֨א‎
Azla or Qadma[18]
Telisha ketanaב֩‎תַּלְשָׁא֩‎
Talsha
Mercha kefulaב֦‎תְּרֵי טַעֲמֵ֦י‎
Tere ta’ame
Yerach ben yomoב֪‎יֵרֶח בֶּן יוֹמ֪וֹ‎
Yeraḥ ben yomo

Spanish-Portuguese custom

זַרְקָא֮ מַקַּף־שׁוֹפָר־הוֹלֵ֣ךְ סְגוֹלְתָּא֒ פָּזֵר גָּד֡וֹל
תַ֠לְשָׁא תִּ֩ילְשָׁא אַזְלָ֨א גֵּ֜רֵישׁ פָּסֵק  ׀  רָבִ֗יעַ שְׁנֵי־גֵרֵישִׁ֞ין
דַּרְגָ֧א תְּבִ֛יר מַאֲרִ֥יךְ טַרְחָ֖א אַתְנָ֑ח שׁוֹפָר־מְהֻפָּ֤ךְ
קַדְמָא֙ תְּרֵ֨י־קַדְמִין֙ זָקֵף־קָט֔וֹן זָקֵף־גָּד֕וֹל שַׁלְשֶׁ֓לֶת
תְּרֵי־טַעֲמֵ֦י יְ֚תִיב סוֹף־פָּסֽוּק׃

Sephardic U Calendar

The Five Books

Bereshit, בְּרֵאשִׁית
Noach, נֹחַ
Lech-Lecha, לֶךְ-לְךָ
Vayera, וַיֵּרָא
Chaye Sarah, חַיֵּי שָׂרָה
Toledot, תּוֹלְדֹת
Vayetze, וַיֵּצֵא
Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁלַח
Vayeshev, וַיֵּשֶׁב
Miketz, מִקֵּץ
Vayigash, וַיִּגַּשׁ
Vayechi, וַיְחִי
Shemot, שְׁמוֹת
Va’era, וָאֵרָא
Bo, בֹּא
Beshalach, בְּשַׁלַּח
Yitro, יִתְרוֹ
Mishpatim, מִּשְׁפָּטִים
Teruma, תְּרוּמָה
Tetzave, תְּצַוֶּה
Ki Tisa, כִּי תִשָּׂא
*Vayakhel, וַיַּקְהֵל
Pekudei, פְקוּדֵי
Vayikra, וַיִּקְרָא
Tzav, צַו
Shemini, שְּׁמִינִי
*Tazria, תַזְרִיעַ
Metzora, מְּצֹרָע
*Achare Mot, אַחֲרֵי מוֹת
Kedoshim, קְדֹשִׁים
Emor, אֱמֹר
*Behar, בְּהַר
Behukotai, בְּחֻקֹּתַי
Bemidbar, בְּמִדְבַּר
Naso, נָשֹׂא
Behaalotecha, בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ
Shlach, שְׁלַח-לְךָ
Korach, קֹרַח
*Chukat, חֻקַּת
Balak, בָּלָק
Pinchas, פִּינְחָס
*Matot, מַּטּוֹת
Masei, מַסְעֵי
Devarim, דְּבָרִים
Va’etchanan, וָאֶתְחַנַּן
Ekev, עֵקֶב
Re’eh, רְאֵה
Shoftim, שֹׁפְטִים
Ki Tetze, כִּי-תֵצֵא
Ki Tavo, כִּי-תָבוֹא
*Nitzavim, נִצָּבִים
Vayelech, וַיֵּלֶךְ
Haazinu, הַאֲזִינוּ
V’Zot HaBerachah, וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה
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