Parshat Vayishlach: The Wrestle, The Present, and The Prince

Episode Summary Tali is preparing for battle against her arch-nemesis (a squirrel in the backyard), but Sabba reminds her that even our greatest heroes got scared. Hop in the Llama Chariot as we zoom back to meet Yaakov Avinu on the scariest night of his life!

In this episode, we learn how Yaakov prepares to meet his brother Eisav after 20 years apart. We’ll watch a parade of presents (watch out for camel spit!), wrestle a mysterious stranger until dawn, and discover the secret meaning behind our name, "Yisrael."

Adventure Checklist

🛡️ The Armor: Why is Tali wearing bubble wrap and a swimming helmet?

🐪 The Doron: What three things did Yaakov do to prepare for meeting Eisav?

🤼 The Wrestling Match: Who did Yaakov fight in the middle of the night?

🦵 The Limp: Why don't we eat the Gid HaNasheh (sciatic nerve)?

🫂 The Reunion: Did Eisav attack Yaakov or hug him?

Key Hebrew Vocabulary

Doron (דּוֹרוֹן): A Gift/Present.

Ish (אִישׁ): Man (The stranger in the story).

Yisrael (יִשְׂרָאֵל): Israel (One who struggles with God/men and prevails).

Gid HaNasheh (גִּיד הַנָּשֶׁה): The sciatic nerve.

Challenge Question Sabba asks: The Torah tells us the sun shone on Yaakov specifically while he was limping. Why is that detail important? Was the sun healing him? Was it a sign?

👉 Send your answers to: [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

Big Takeaway We are called Bnei Yisrael. That means we are strong enough to face scary things, wrestle with them, and come out stronger on the other side. (And sometimes, being humble and kind is stronger than fighting!)

📚 Sources & Citations

Want to read the text inside the Chumash? Here is where we found our story:

The Gift (Doron): "And he took from what came in his hand a gift for Esau his brother."

Source: Genesis 32:14

The Wrestling Match: "And Yaakov was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn."

Source: Genesis 32:25

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