Yaakov/0/en

Yaakov – Overview

Overview

The Yaakov narratives span half of Sefer Bereshit, giving the reader significant insight into his life and character. When describing himself to Paroh, Yaakov says, "מְעַט וְרָעִים הָיוּ יְמֵי שְׁנֵי חַיַּי" (few and unfortunate were the days of my life), a somewhat apt description of Yaakov's burden-filled years.  From the moment after he buys the birthright and receives the blessing of Yitzchak, his life is filled with misfortune upon misfortune. He is forced to flee from home, tricked into marrying an unwanted wife, and cheated in business. Upon his return to Israel, his daughter is raped and his favorite son, Yosef, is sold into slavery.

Yaakov's character is complex. He is described as an "אִישׁ תָּם", yet he deceives his brother.  He is courageous and powerful enough to fight an angel, yet passive in face of Shekhem's rape of Dinah.  He adores Rachel, yet he is one of the few husbands in Tanakh to explicitly rebuke his wife. How are we to understand these contrasting traits?  The page below explores Yaakov's character, relationships, and deeds as seen through the eyes of generations of commentators. Together, they weave a fascinating tapestry of the father of our nation.

Religious Identity

Oath at Beit El

Upon awakening after his dream in Beit El (Bereshit 28:18-22), Yaakov makes an oath, saying that if Hashem watches over him, "וְשַׁבְתִּי בְשָׁלוֹם אֶל בֵּית אָבִי וְהָיָה י"י לִי לֵא-לֹהִים וְהָאֶבֶן הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי מַצֵּבָה יִהְיֶה בֵּית אֱ-לֹהִים." It is unclear where Yaakov's request ends and his personal obligations begin.  Are the words "וְהָיָה ה' לִי לֵא-לֹהִים" part of what he expects from Hashem, or what he will do for Hashem?  If the latter, what is he promising to do?  Was Hashem not already his God?

• Condition – RashbamBereshit 28:21About R. Shemuel b. Meir and R. Avraham b. HaRambamBereshit 28:21About R. Avraham Maimonides assert that Yaakov's words "וְהָיָה ה' לִי לֵא-לֹהִים" are part of Yaakov's requests; he is asking that Hashem help him.
• Obligation – Alternatively, Yaakov's words "וְהָיָה ה' לִי לֵא-לֹהִים" begin the list of Yaakov's obligations to Hashem.
• According to RadakBereshit 28:21Bereshit 33:4Bereshit 37:3About R. David Kimchi, Yaakov promises that if Hashem watches over him, he will then devote himself to service of Hashem and no longer engage in other pursuits. RambanBereshit 28:21Bereshit 32:13About R. Moshe b. Nachman, instead, suggests that Yaakov is promising that he will worship Hashem in Israel specifically..
• One might more radically suggest that Yaakov was indeed unsure if Hashem had powers outside of Israel, or perhaps had questions regarding the oneness of Hashem in general. If so, for him belief in monotheism was a process and not a given.  See Rachel's Stealing of the Terafim for discussion of this possibility.

Yaakov and Mitzvot

The issue of whether or not the Avot kept the mitzvot has been hotly debated for generations. On one hand, they lived centuries before the Torah was given and many of its laws would be meaningless to them.  Moreover, there are certain prohibitions which the Torah testifies to their having transgressed, such as Yaakov's marrying two wives. On the other hand, it seems paradoxical to conceive of the founders of a religion not observing even its most basic commandments.

• For a full discussion and sources, see Avot and Mitzvot.

Yaakov's Dream

The dream of the ladder reaching heavenwards is one of the images most associated with Yaakov.  What, though, did this dream connote and what might it teach about Yaakov's relationship to Hashem at the critical juncture in which he fled from his brother?  [See Yaakov's Dream.]

• Message of consolation – NetzivBereshit 29:31About R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin explains that the dream signified Hashem's providence over Yaakov. As such, the dream highlights how Yaakov, fearfully fleeing from his brother and venturing into the unknown, both needed and merited Hashem's encouragement and protection.
• Symbol of prayer – ShadalBereshit 28:12-13About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto suggests that the dream is merely a visual representation of prayer. This might suggest, as Chazal claim, that before leaving Israel Yaakov had stopped at Beit El to pray to Hashem.
• Metaphor of human's climb to perfection – R. D"Z HoffmannBereshit 28:12About R. David Zvi Hoffmann suggests that the dream is a message for Yaakov to strive to reach his potential despite his present unpromising circumstances.  Alternatively, one might take a more critical stance and suggest that Hashem is telling Yaakov that he needs to improve given his morally questionable tricking of his brother.

Unique Traits

"וְיַעֲקֹב אִישׁ תָּם יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים"

Bereshit 25 introduces Yaakov by telling the reader that he was an "אִישׁ תָּם יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים". What, though, do each of these descriptions mean? Do they speak of spiritual aspects of Yaakov's personality or of more mundane character traits?

• "אִישׁ תָּם" – Most commentators explain this term to mean that Yaakov was honest and upright, a man of integrity.¹  ShadalBereshit 25:27About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto adds that despite that there might have been an element of deceit in Yaakov's actions towards Esav, this does not negate his overall honest nature.
• "יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים" – Commentators explain this term in very differing ways:
• A man of learning – Bereshit Rabbah63:10About Bereshit Rabbah, RashiBereshit 25:27About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, and RalbagBereshit Beur HaParashah 25:27-28About R. Levi b. Gershom all explain that Yaakov spent his days learning in the "Beit Midrash of Shem and Ever". RadakBereshit 25:27About R. David Kimchi agrees that "אֹהָלִים" refers to "tents of learning" but suggests that Yaakov filled his days searching after more general wisdom.²
• A man of solitude – R. Avraham b. HaRambamBereshit 25:27About R. Avraham Maimonides suggests  that Yaakov spent his days in solitude, engaging in "התבודדות", presumably trying to commune with Hashem.
• Shepherd – RashbamBereshit 25:28About R. Shemuel b. Meir and Ibn EzraBereshit First Commentary 25:27About R. Avraham ibn Ezra more simply suggest that the verse speaks of Yaakov's shepherding profession, pointing to the phrase "אֲבִי יֹשֵׁב אֹהֶל וּמִקְנֶה" (Bereshit 4:20) as evidence.

Sheep Breeder

Bereshit 30 highlights Yaakov's success in sheep breeding.  While Bereshit 30:37-39 speaks of a ploy performed by placing certain peeled branches in front of the mating sheep, Bereshit 31:7-12 suggests that Hashem's hand and a prophetic dream guided him. Was Yaakov's success due to knowledge of science and nature, or was it miraculous, due only to Divine providence?

• Miracle – RashiBereshit 31:10About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki and Bereshit Rabbah73:10About Bereshit Rabbah suggest that Hashem had an angel supernaturally intervene to bring the necessary sheep from Lavan's flock to Yaakov's.
• Divinely taught scientific knowledge – RalbagBereshit Beur HaParashah 30:38-39Bereshit Beur HaParashah 31:10-12About R. Levi b. Gershom assumes that there is a scientific basis for Yaakov's actions, and that what one looks at during mating can affect the offspring's physical appearance. Yaakov himself, however, would not have been aware of this had Hashem not given him the idea in a dream. Contemporary scientists have attempted to find more modern scientific explanations for the breeding.  See Y. Felix³ who suggests that Mendelian Genetics (relayed by Hashem to Yaakov) can explain the successful outcome, while others⁴ point to the role of epigenetics.
• Professional herder's knowledge – Some scholars suggest that Yaakov used his knowledge of animal behavior to promote breeding in his animals and inhibit breeding in Lavan's animals.⁵

Miraculous Might?

When imagining Yaakov and Esav, many picture Esav as being physically fit and mighty, and Yaakov being of ordinary, or perhaps even under average, strength.  Two stories might question that assumption:

• Removing the stone – In Bereshit 29 we read how Yaakov arrived in Charan to find several shepherds waiting to water their flocks until enough gathered to remove the huge boulder which covered the well.  However, as soon as Yaakov sets eyes on Rachel, he manages to roll the stone off by himself.
• Super strength – R. D"Z HoffmannBereshit 29:10About R. David Zvi Hoffmann points out that in this story, the Torah tangentially shares that Yaakov, and not only Esav, possessed great physical strength.⁶  He points out, though, that Yaakov is never seen using his strength to hurt those weaker than himself.
• Ordinary strength – R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 29:10About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor suggests that really the only reason the other shepherds could not remove the stone on their own was because they were still youths and not yet full grown adults like Yaakov. RadakBereshit 29:10About R. David Kimchi also posits that Yaakov was no stronger than the average and that he was capable of removing the boulder only due to Hashem's help.⁷ Other sources suggest that any one person could have removed the stone alone, but the local shepherds had agreed not to remove the stone unless all were present, to ensure that the water was apportioned fairly.⁸
• Wrestling with angels? – A similar question arises with regards to Yaakov's wrestling match with the mysterious "איש".  If Yaakov's opponent was an angel, as most commentators maintain, how was he able to overcome him?  See Wrestling With Angels and Men.

Restraint

The Incident in Shekhem – Bereshit 34 describes the rape of Dinah and the ensuing decimation of the city by Shimon and Levi. Immediately afterwards, Yaakov sharply castigates them for their deed, telling them "עֲכַרְתֶּם אֹתִי לְהַבְאִישֵׁנִי בְּיֹשֵׁב הָאָרֶץ".  Did Yaakov views their actions  as being only tactically flawed, or also morally reprehensible?⁹

• Morally reprehensible – Yaakov might have disagreed with his sons' desire for collective punishment and active deterrence, viewing these as unjust, and preferred a policy of restraint and / or targeted punishment.  Commentators differ regarding what exactly he had thought would happen:
• Retrieve Dinah – RambanBereshit 34:13About R. Moshe b. Nachman asserts that Yaakov (and most of the brothers) assumed that the Shekhemites would never agree to circumcise themselves, allowing the brothers to take Dinah and leave. Alternatively, if they did agree, the brothers thought to take advantage of their weakness to kidnap their sister.
• Kill only the guilty – RambanBereshit 34:13About R. Moshe b. Nachman also raises the possibility that Yaakov wanted to kill only Shekhem.
• Give Dinah in marriage – It is also possible that Yaakov's offer of marriage was sincere and that he did not see a problem in the union as long as Shekhem were to circumcise himself.¹⁰ The union of the two clans could have potential benefits and might have been a peaceful alternative to the later military conquest of the land.  
• Tactically flawed – Alternatively, Yaakov might have disagreed with his sons only from a strategic perspective, worrying that their plan would backfire when surrounding peoples counter-attacked.

Tanakh does not say who was in the right, leaving it ambiguous whether the incident called for Shimon and Levi's harsh measures or Yaakov's restraint.  For full discussion of the incident see Sin and Slaughter of Shekhem and Yaakov's Parting Words to Shimon and Levi.

Possible Sins / Flaws

Sale of the Birthright

Bereshit 25 discusses Yaakov's buying of the birthright from the famished Esav. The story raises several question regarding the ethics of Yaakov's actions.  Did he not exploit his brother's hunger for his own gain? Is not buying the birthright for a mere pot of lentils considered extortion?  Commentators attempt to defend Yaakov's behavior in a number of ways: [For a full discussion of the issue, see Sale of the Birthright – A Fair Deal?]

• Esav was unworthy – According to Bereshit Rabbah and RashiBereshit 25:31-34About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, the birthright was a spiritual commodity, namely the priestly status, which Esav was both unworthy of and uninterested in receiving.
• Yaakov paid fair value – RashbamBereshit 25:31-34About R. Shemuel b. Meir claims that Yaakov paid for the birthright in full, with money.  The accompanying meal served simply to seal the deal.  Ibn EzraBereshit First Commentary 25:31-34About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, instead, suggests that the birthright was almost worthless since Yitzchak was penniless. As such, the lentil stew was a fair price.
• Right to look out for one's self – R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 25:29-30About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor assumes that the birthright granted the eldest son the rights to the father's entire estate, claiming that under such circumstances Yaakov had the right to put his own interests ahead of his brother's.

Taking the Blessing

Bereshit 27 describes Rivka's machinations to ensure that Yitzchak's blessing go to Yaakov rather than Esav.  How should Yaakov's role in the deception of his father be viewed?  Was he a willing or unwilling participant?   Were his actions justified?

• Justified –Several commentators suggest that Yaakov's deceit was justified:
• Heeding mother and prophecy – Radak Bereshit 27:19About R. David Kimchisuggests that Yaakov was simply acting according to his mother's wishes. Moreover since he was the worthy son, and acting to fulfill the prophecy,¹¹ his deception was justified.¹² 
• Retrieving a loss – R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 27:10About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, instead, claims that when Yaakov bought the birthright, he bought the rights to the blessing.  Since Esav was trying to renege on the deal, Yaakov cannot be blamed for trying to retrieve was was rightfully his.
• Mitigate wrongdoing – Others attempt to mitigate Yaakov's wrongdoing, even if they do not totally justify his actions. Bereshit Rabbah65:18About Bereshit Rabbah and RashiBereshit 27:19About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki attempt to minimize Yaakov's lying by re-punctuating his words "אָנֹכִי עֵשָׂו בְּכֹרֶךָ" to read "אנכי – המביא לך, ועשו הוא בכורך." HaKetav veHaKabbalahBereshit 27:12About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg, instead, defends Yaakov by  suggesting that he was an unwilling participant, and even hoped to be found out.
• Unjustified – TanchumaVayetze 11About the Tanchuma suggests that Yaakov sinned and was punished measure for measure for his trickery.

Lack of Trust in Hashem?

In Bereshit 32:7-8, after hearing that Esav is approaching him with 400 men, Yaakov reacts with fear: "וַיִּירָא יַעֲקֹב מְאֹד וַיֵּצֶר לוֹ". Given that Hashem had promised Yaakov that He would watch over him,¹³ should this fear be interpreted negatively as betraying a lack of trust in Hashem?

• No lack of faith – Bereshit Rabbah76:2About Bereshit Rabbah¹⁴ explains that Yaakov thought that he might have sinned and therefore no longer deserved Hashem's blessing. R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 32:12-13About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor,¹⁵ instead, suggests that Yaakov thought that Hashem's blessing of providence might be limited to him, and though he would be saved, his family might come to harm.
• Lack of faith – Both RashbamBereshit 32:29About R. Shemuel b. Meir and MalbimBereshit 32:8About R. Meir Leibush Weiser blame Yaakov for not trusting in Hashem.  Rashbam even suggests that the attack by the angel was a punishment for this lack of trust.¹⁶  See Wrestling With Angels and Men.

Subservience to Esav

Commentators debate how to evaluate Yaakov's extreme acts of subservience to his brother (Bereshit 33:3). Is it wrong to degrade one's self and show weakness to an enemy?

• Praiseworthy – Zohar Vayishlach 115a
• Necessary – Bereshit Rabbah 75:575:5About Bereshit Rabbah suggests that such self degradation and flattery is necessary and pragmatic.
• Problematic – Bereshit Rabbah 75:275:2About Bereshit Rabbah¹⁷ questions Yaakov's behavior, suggesting that the righteous never should humble themselves before the wicked.

Passivity / Restraint in Shekhem

See the discussion above regarding Yaakov's reaction to the rape. Should Yaakov's desired policy of restraint be condemned or lauded? See Sin and Slaughter of Shekhem and Yaakov's Parting Words to Shimon and Levi.

Parents and Siblings

Favored by Rivka

Bereshit 25:28 shares that while Yitzchak preferred Esav, Rivka favored Yaakov (וְרִבְקָה אֹהֶבֶת אֶת יַעֲקֹב).  What led Rivka to love Yaakov? [For approaches as to why Yitzchak, in contrast, might have loved Esav, see Why Bless Esav and A Portrait of Esav.]

• The prophecy – RashbamBereshit 25:28About R. Shemuel b. Meir clams that Rivka's preference for Yaakov was a direct result of the prophecy which granted him superior status to his brother.
• Character – Ralbag Bereshit Beur HaParashah 25:27-28About R. Levi b. Gershomand Hoil MosheBereshit 28:5About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi assert that Rivka's preference related to Yaakov's character; she saw in him both the traits of integrity and mercy.¹⁸

Yaakov and Esav

See above regarding Yaakov's buying of the birthright and taking the blessing. How did these incidents impact the siblings' relationship in the long term? When they meet again decades later, is Esav still angry at Yaakov or has time healed the rift? On one hand, we read how Esav approached Yaakov with 400 men (Bereshit 32:7), leading Yaakov to prepare for war. On the other hand when the two do finally meet, Esav embraces and cries on his brother's shoulders (Bereshit 33:4).

• Still angry – The majority of commentators¹⁹ assume that Esav was still angry and was approaching with 400 men intent on attacking Yaakov.  They explain Esav's kissing of Yaakov in Bereshit 33 to be either insincere²⁰ (or even an attempt to harm Yaakov)²¹, a result of Yaakov's successful attempts at appeasement,²² or an act of Divine intervention.²³
• Anger dissipated – RashbamBereshit 32:7-8About R. Shemuel b. Meir,²⁴ in contrast, assumes that Esav harbored no ill will and was coming to greet Yaakov with 400 men who were to serve as an honor guard.²⁵ [It was only Yaakov who, in his fear, interpreted the entourage as having evil intent.]  Esav's embrace and tears at the end of the story are understood to be sincere expressions of brotherly love. [For elaboration on this reading, see Wrestling With Angels and Men and Yaakov's Dividing of his Camp.]

Wives

Yaakov and Leah: "כִּי שְׂנוּאָה לֵאָה"

In Bereshit 29:31, Leah is referred to as "שְׂנוּאָה", one who is hated. In the immediately preceding verse, however, we read, "וַיֶּאֱהַב גַּם אֶת רָחֵל מִלֵּאָה", suggesting that she, too, was loved, but less so than Rachel. Did Yaakov actively dislike Leah, or was she simply not his first choice?

• Preferred Rachel – Many commentators²⁶ assume that Yaakov loved both wives; and that the word "hated" is a relative term, meaning only that Leah was not as loved as Rachel.²⁷
• Hated Leah – Bereshit Rabbah71:278:9About Bereshit Rabbah, RambanBereshit 29:31About R. Moshe b. Nachman, and the NetzivBereshit 29:31About R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, in contrast, assume that Yaakov actively hated Leah for her deceit.  Love is built on trust, and after Leah's participation in Lavan's scheme, there was no trust for Yaakov to build upon.²⁸

Yaakov and Rachel: "וַיִּחַר אַף יַעֲקֹב בְּרָחֵל"

Despite Yaakov's love for Rachel, when Rachel complains to Yaakov, "הָבָה לִּי בָנִים וְאִם אַיִן מֵתָה אָנֹכִי", he responds in anger: "Am I in God’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?" (Bereshit 30:1-3). Is Yaakov's anger at his wife justified?

• Justified – Many commentators assume that Yaakov's anger was justified:

• Radak Bereshit 30:2About R. David Kimchiand R. Avraham b. HaRambamBereshit 30:2About R. Avraham Maimonides²⁹ explain that Yaakov was justifiably angry that Rachel turned to him rather than Hashem, not recognizing that the matter was in Hashem's hands and not His.³⁰
• RambanBereshit 30:1About R. Moshe b. Nachman,³¹ instead, assumes that Rachel had in fact asked that Yaakov pray to Hashem, but her mistake was is in viewing Yaakov's prayer as some type of automatic magical remedy.  Yaakov taught her that even the prayers of the righteous are not always answered.
• Finally, Akeidat YitzchakBereshit Peirush 3About R. Yitzchak Arama views Yaakov as upset that Rachel did not realize that her primary purpose in life was not simply to bear children, but to fill her life "בדברי שכל וחסידות".  Her barrenness was not a reason to think her life was not worth living.

• Unjustified – Bereshit Rabbah 71:7About Bereshit Rabbahmaintains that Yaakov was in the wrong, presenting Hashem as responding to Yaakov, "כך עונין את המעיקות?!"
• Misunderstood – R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 30:2-3About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor³² asserts that Yaakov misunderstood his wife, assuming that she was expecting him to somehow do what Hashem had not, when Rachel had meant only that he should take her maidservant and sire children from her so that Rachel could be their surrogate mother.

Status of Bilhah and Zilpah

Throughout the first section of the Yaakov narratives, Bilhah and Zilpah are consistently referred to a maidservants (of either Lavan, Rachel and Leah, or Yaakov).  In Bereshit 35:22, during the incident with Reuven, Bilhah is referred to as a concubine. Afterwards, (excepting 35:25-26), they are never again referred to as servants, and in Bereshit 37:2 both are even spoken of as "Yaakov's wives". How did Yaakov view Bilhah and Zilpah: as real wives, concubines, or simply surrogate mothers?  Did their status change over time?

• Changing status – It is possible that in sleeping with Bilhah, Reuven wanted to demonstrate that she was not a full wife (and, thus, that her sons were not contenders for the birthright), enabling him to eliminate competition and solidify his rights to inherit the mantle of leadership from his father. If so, it is possible that his plan backfired and that, in response, Yaakov ensured that Bilhah and Zilpah attained full wife status, and now viewed their children as equal in status to those of Rachel and Leah.  See Reuven and Bilhah.

Children

Births of Yaakov's Children

A simple reading of Parashat Vayetze suggests that Yaakov sired all 12 of his children in just seven years, with Leah alone bearing seven of the twelve. This chronology is difficult not only with regards to Leah's birthing schedule³³ but also because of how it affects later stories In Bereshit. This reading would make Shimon and Levi only eleven or twelve when they decimated Shekhem, and has Yehuda siring the equivalent of three generations worth of progeny by the age of 43.

• For details regarding the chronology, its difficulties, and potential solutions, see The Births and Relative Ages of Yaakov's Children.

Favoring Yosef

I. "כִּי בֶן זְקֻנִים הוּא לוֹ" – How is one to understand Yaakov's favoring of Yosef? Though many assume that Yaakov transferred his love for Rachel to Yosef, the verses offer a different explanation: "‎כִּי בֶן זְקֻנִים הוּא לוֹ".‎ What does this term mean and what does it suggest about the reasons for Yaakov's love?

• Similar to father – Bereshit Rabbah84:8About Bereshit Rabbah, TanchumaVayeshev 2About the Tanchuma, and Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)Bereshit 37:3About Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan) all suggests that Yaakov's favoritism stemmed from the similarity between father and son.
• Actions/ traits – Targum OnkelosBereshit 37:3About Targum Onkelos, Ibn EzraBereshit First Commentary 37:3About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, and RadakBereshit 37:3About R. David Kimchi maintain that "בֶן זְקֻנִים" means "wise" and it was this trait which led to the extra love. RambanBereshit 37:3About R. Moshe b. Nachman instead suggests that Yosef was chosen to serve his father, and this created the close bond.
• Age-related – R. Avraham b. HaRambamBereshit 37:3About R. Avraham Maimonides and ShadalBereshit 37:3About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto assert that, for several years until Binyamin's birth, Yosef had been treated as the youngest child and the favoritism remained even once he no longer had that status. RalbagBereshit Beur HaParashah 37:3About R. Levi b. Gershom instead suggests that Yosef was similar to a child born in old age since was born after Yaakov had despaired of having a child by Rachel.

II. "עָשָׂה לוֹ כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים" – What did Yaakov mean to signify in giving Yosef the cloak? Was he simply showing parental favoritism, or did he have other intentions?

• Show of love – RalbagBereshit Beur HaParashah 37:3About R. Levi b. Gershom
• Sign of leadership or chosen status – SfornoBereshit 37:3About R. Ovadyah Sforno, HaKetav VeHaKabbalahBereshit 37:3About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg, and R. HirschBereshit 37:3About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch suggest that the cloak was a sign of stature. This reading might suggest that the siblings were not merely engaged in common sibling rivalry, but in a competition as to who was to be the "chosen son" and merit to continue the line of Avraham.³⁴

III. Double Portion – In Bereshit 48, Yaakov equates Ephraim and Menashe with Reuven and Shimon, apparently granting Yosef's sons tribal status. What is prompting this gift? Is Yaakov once again motivated by favoritism towards the oldest son of his first love, Rachel, or is the choice motivated by other factors? [See Yosef's Double Portion for elaboration.]

• Love – Ralbag, Tzeror HaMor, Or HaChayyim assume that the choice did indeed stem from Yaakov's love for Rachel, and by extension, Yosef.
• Prophecy –  R. Shemuel b. Chofni Gaon, AbarbanelBereshit 48About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel and SfornoBereshit 48:4About R. Ovadyah Sforno suggest that Yaakov chose to give Yosef a double portion since he understood Hashem's prophecy, "וּנְתַתִּיךָ לִקְהַל עַמִּים" to refer specifically to Menashe and Ephraim.
• Replacing Reuven – Ibn EzraBereshit First Commentary 48:16About R. Avraham ibn Ezra and RalbagBereshit Beur HaMilot 48:4About R. Levi b. Gershom assert that the choice was a consequence of Reuven's rejection.  In the aftermath of Reuven's deed, Yaakov transferred the birthright from the firstborn of his first wife to the firstborn of his second wife, Rachel.
• Incentive – R. Weitman³⁵ assumes that Yosef and his sons had begin to assimilate into Egyptian society and that Yaakov gave Yosef a double portion of the land as an incentive to remain in the fold and to return to Israel.

Relating to Reuven's Misdeed

Bereshit 35:22 recounts that Reuven had relations with Yaakov's concubine, Bilhah. What prompted Reuven, ostensibly a righteous figure, to commit such a deed? The verse also shares that "Yaakov heard" of the deed, but nothing more. How is Yaakov's reaction to be interpreted? How did he relate to Reuven thereafter?  For a variety of approaches to Reuven's deed, see Reuven and Bilhah.

Blessings to Sons

Bereshit 49 details Yaakov's final words to his sons, where he tells them "what will happen to them at the end of days". Does this refer to experiences at the end of Yaakov's sons' own lives, events which will occur to their descendants upon their return to the Land of Israel, or what will transpire to the nation as a whole in Messianic times?  What was the overall goal of Yaakov's last will and testament? Was he speaking to his sons as individuals ("בָּנָיו") or as the progenitors of future tribes ("שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל")? Is his speech a collection of blessings or prophecies? These questions affect how one understand Yaakov's words to each of his sons.

• For discussion of Shimon and Levi's blessing, see Yaakov's Parting Words to Shimon and Levi.
• For analysis of Yehuda's blessing, see Yehuda's Blessing – Eternal Kingship?
• For discussion of Yosef's blessing, see Yaakov's Blessing of Yosef.

Menashe & Ephraim

Did Yaakov have a relationship with his grandchildren, Menashe and Ephraim? On one hand he blesses and grants them tribal status. On the other hand, when Yosef brings them to visit, he does not even recognize them. What motivated Yaakov to bless Menashe and Ephraim more than his other grandchildren?

• Regarding the decision to grant Menashe and Ephraim tribal status, see discussion above and Yaakov's Retrospective and Yosef's Double Portion.
• Regarding Yaakov's not recognizing his grandchildren, see When Did Yaakov Bless Ephraim and Menashe.

Trials and Tribulations

From the moment that Yaakov takes the blessing from Esav, his life is filled with trials:

• Flight from Esav – Yaakov is forced to run away from Esav, exiled from home and family.
• Duped in Marriage – TanchumaVayetze 11About the Tanchuma suggests that Lavan's tricking Yaakov into marrying the older rather than younger sister is a measure for measure punishment for his tricking his father into blessing the younger rather than the older brother.³⁶
• Cheated in Business – One might similarly suggested that Lavan's continuous cheating of Yaakov in business is a measure for measure punishment for Yaakov's swindling his brother over the birthright.³⁷
• Rape of Dina – See discussion above.
  
• Sale of Yosef – The brothers deceive Yaakov during the sale of Yosef through the blood of a goat, perhaps measure for measure retribution for his using goat skins to deceive his father into giving him Esav's blessings.
  

Comparisons to Other Figures

• Yaakov at the Well – What can be learned by comparing Yaakov's behavior and actions when meeting Rachel at the well with others (Avraham's servant and Moshe) who similarly find spouses there?
• Avraham and Yaakov – Avraham is the founding father of the nation, while Yaakov is the patriarch whose offspring literally constituted the "Children of Israel" ("בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל").‎ It is, thus, perhaps unsurprising that the life journeys of the two share several common features. What can be learned from a comparison of grandfather and grandson?  See Avraham and Yaakov.
• Yaakov and David – Yaakov, the father of the Children of Israel, and David, the founder of the dynastic monarchy, are two of the most central figures in all of Jewish history. Strikingly, there are numerous similarities between the general trajectories of their lives and the specific events which befall them.  What do these teach us?  See Yaakov and David.

Yaakov in the Arts

Art and music often serve as "modern midrash" on the Biblical text. The artists' choices reflect certain ambiguities in the text and different possible interpretive stances, making a wonderful foil through which to study the original story. Some examples follow:

• See Sale of the Birthright in Art
• See Yaakov's Dream in Art
• See Yaakov's Wrestling Match in Music
• See Yaakov and Esav's Reunion in Art
• See Blessing Ephraim and Menashe in Art

¹ In about one third of the occurrences of the word in Tanakh, it is paired with the word "יָשָׁר", honest.

² The difference of opinion might relate to the question of what would have been learned in a Beit Midrash centuries before the Torah was given.  Did the Avot know of future mitzvot? For elaboration, see Avot and Mitzvot – Was Avraham the First Jew?

³ See Olam HaTanakh, Bereshit (Tel Aviv, 2002): 180-183. Y. Felix suggests that Yaakov's actions with the sticks were only for show, to let Lavan think that he was only doing what all shepherds did.  In reality, though, the peeling of the sticks played no role in the outcome.

⁴ See, for instance, Dr. J. Backon, "Jacob and the Spotted Sheep: the Role of Prenatal Nutrition on Epigenetics of Fur Color", JBQ 36:4 (2008) and R. Siegel's article, "Jacob’s Epigenetics: Spare the Rod or Spoil the Flock", Derech HaTeva: A Journal of Torah and Science (2015-2016): 53-56.

⁵ See, for instance, Scott Noegel, "Sex, Sticks, and the Trickster in Gen. 30:31-43: A New Look at an Old Crux", Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Society 25 (1997), 7-17.

⁶ See also RashbamAbout R. Shemuel b. Meir, "להודיע גבורתו בא הכתוב".

⁷ He writes, "והיה לו זה מברכת האל שנתן לו כח יתירה.". He also raises the possibility that Yaakov actually removed the stone only with the other shepherds' help.

⁸ See Lekach Tov, R' Avraham ben haRambam, and Shadal on Breishit 29:8

⁹ This, in part, depends on whether one understands his deathbed speech to the two brothers ("בְּסֹדָם אַל תָּבֹא נַפְשִׁי בִּקְהָלָם אַל תֵּחַד כְּבֹדִי כִּי בְאַפָּם הָרְגוּ אִישׁ וּבִרְצֹנָם עִקְּרוּ שׁוֹר") as referring to this incident.  If so, it would seem that Yaakov was also condemning the morality of Shimon and Levi's actions.

¹⁰ According to this understanding, the condition to circumcise included a rejection of idolatry. As there were no other commandments at this time, perhaps this sufficed to become part of the Israelite nation. If so, making alliances such as this might have been an alternative to military conquest.

¹¹ See RashbamBereshit 27:13About R. Shemuel b. Meir who precedes him on this point.

¹² See Or HaChayyimBereshit 27:8About R. Chayyim b. Atar who goes a step further claiming that there is  a Torah obligation to listen to a true prophet even if they give a one -time command to transgress a law, so Yaakov was justified in his deception.

¹³ See Hashem's words to Yaakov in Bereshit 28:15: "וְהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי עִמָּךְ וּשְׁמַרְתִּיךָ בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ וַהֲשִׁבֹתִיךָ אֶל הָאֲדָמָה הַזֹּאת".

¹⁴ See also RadakBereshit 25:27Bereshit 27:19Bereshit 32:4Bereshit 32:7Bereshit 32:26About R. David Kimchi, RambanBereshit 32 IntroductionAbout R. Moshe b. Nachman, R. HirschBereshit 32:8About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch and others.  Bereshit Rabbah suggests that Yaakov feared not only that he sinned, but also that Esav's merits in honoring his parents (and Yaakov's inability to do the same) might give Esav the upper hand.

¹⁵ See also Ibn EzraBereshit First Commentary 32:9About R. Avraham ibn Ezra and the opinion rejected by RambanBereshit 32:13About R. Moshe b. Nachman.

¹⁶ See also RadakBereshit 25:27Bereshit 27:19Bereshit 32:26Bereshit 37:3About R. David Kimchi who asserts that the injury to Yaakov's thigh was due to his lack of trust as betrayed by his subservience to Esav.

¹⁷ See R"Y Medan's article "המפגש ביו יעקב לעשו" in "כי קרוב אליך: ספר בראשית" (Tel Aviv, 2014): 256-258, who elaborates on this position.  He suggests that Yaakov's covenant with Lavan was similarly problematic.

¹⁸ Hoil Moshe suggests that the brothers' choice of profession betrays the difference in their characters. Esav, the hunter, was a harsh and violent man, unmerciful to beast and thus, probably also to man, while Yaakov, the shepherd, was full of caring and mercy. Cf. R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 25:28About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor who suggests that women in general like those who raise animals.

¹⁹ See, for example, RashiBereshit 32:7About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RadakBereshit 32:7About R. David Kimchi, R. Avraham b. HaRambamBereshit 32:7About R. Avraham Maimonides, SfornoBereshit 32:7Bereshit 33:4About R. Ovadyah Sforno, and R. D"Z HoffmanBereshit 32:7About R. David Zvi Hoffmann.

²⁰ See the first opinion in Sifre Bemidbar9:10About Sifre Bemidbar and Bemidbar Rabbah3:13About Bemidbar Rabbah.

²¹ See R. Yanai in Bereshit Rabbah 78:978:9About Bereshit Rabbah, and similarly in Shir HaShirim Rabbah7:5About Shir HaShirim Rabbah and Shemot Rabbah5:10About Shemot Rabbah.

²² See, for example, RadakBereshit 33:4About R. David Kimchi and SfornoBereshit 33:4About R. Ovadyah Sforno.

²³ See R. D"Z HoffmannBereshit 33:4About R. David Zvi Hoffmann.

²⁴ See also Ibn Ezra's third commentaryBereshit Third Commentary 32:7About R. Avraham ibn Ezra which is influenced by Rashbam. The Hoil MosheBereshit 32:7About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi also posits that Esav harbored no hatred and was perhaps coming with 400 soldiers so as to provide Yaakov with protection from dangers on the road.

²⁵ Cf .R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 32:8About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor who asserts that Esav's actions were ambiguous.  It was this uncertainty as to whether he was approaching in peace or hatred that led to Yaakov's fear, since he did not know how to prepare for the meeting. If Esav had been coming in peace and Yaakov prepared for war, Esav might very well have a change of heart. Yet, if he did not prepare for war and Esav was intent on attack, Yaakov would be in danger.

²⁶ See, for example, R"Y Bekhor ShorBereshit 29:31About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RadakBereshit 29:31Bereshit 33:4Bereshit 37:3About R. David Kimchi, RalbagBereshit Beur HaParashah 29:30About R. Levi b. Gershom, ShadalBereshit 29:31About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto and R. S.R. HirschBereshit 29:31About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch.

²⁷ As evidence, R. HirschBereshit 29:31About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch points to Devarim 21:15, "כִּי תִהְיֶיןָ לְאִישׁ שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים הָאַחַת אֲהוּבָה וְהָאַחַת שְׂנוּאָה".  Here, too, R. Hirsch suggests that the Torah is simply contrasting a loved and less loved wife.

²⁸ Ramban explains the phrase, "וַיֶּאֱהַב גַּם אֶת רָחֵל מִלֵּאָה" to mean that even though the way of the world is to love the woman that one has had first, in Yaakov's case this was not so; he also loved Rachel.

²⁹ See also RalbagBereshit Beur HaParashah 30:1-2About R. Levi b. Gershom and SfornoBereshit 30:2About R. Ovadyah Sforno.

³⁰ Had she instead said: "Could you pray for me", Yaakov would not have been upset.

³¹ Cf. R. HirschBereshit 30:2About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch and R. D"Z HoffmannBereshit 30:1-2About R. David Zvi Hoffmann.

³² See also ShadalBereshit 30:1About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto.

³³ Though it is possible to bear seven children in the same number of years, given that in the middle there was a hiatus in which Leah could not conceive for long enough to make her give her maidservant to Yaakov, the story is difficult.

³⁴ Though the reader knows that in the end all of the sons of Yaakov were chosen, it is very possible that the brothers, and even Yaakov himself, did not know this. See Yosef's Treatment of his Family for how this might have affected the siblings' interactions throughout the narrative.

³⁵ See his article, "ויחי יעקב - בארץ מצרים" (Parashat Vayechi, 5773).

³⁶ See above for alternative readings and justifications of Yaakov's taking of the blessing.

³⁷ See above for alternative readings of the story which justify Yaakov's actions.