Today we begin Genesis Chapter 33. For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here. For the King James version, click here. Jacob looked up and saw Esau approaching with four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two women servants.  He put the servants and their children first, Leah and her children […]

Before moving on to Genesis chapter 33, I feel compelled to explore a little more this idea of surrendering oneself completely to God. It is so important to our walk with HASHEM, but so difficult to do. Especially in our culture, where wealth, power, strength, confidence, prestige and victory is lauded and applauded. We live […]

The man said, “Let me go, because it’s daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”  The man asked, “What is your name?” and he answered, “Jacob.”  Then the man said, “From now on, you will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; because you have shown your strength to […]

He took them and sent them across the stream, then sent his possessions across; and Jacob was left alone. Then some man wrestled with him until daybreak.  When he saw that he did not defeat Jacob, he struck Jacob’s hip socket, so that his hip was dislocated while wrestling with him.  The man said, “Let me go, […]

The messengers returned to Ya‘akov saying, “We went to your brother ‘Esav, and he is coming to meet you; with him are four hundred men.” Jacob became greatly afraid and distressed. -Genesis 32:7-8 It’s important to keep in mind that Jacob was now quite an old man at this time in his life. Depending on which […]