Overview of Prior Parshas:
In Parsha Toledot that we read during Kislev, Jacob flees his angry brother, Esau. Vayetzei begins Jacob's journey to Haran and the series of events that will lead us into Egypt. On his journey Jacob dreams of a heavenly ladder with angels ascending and descending, and God promises to protect him and make his descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth.
Jacob arrives in Haran, looking for his uncle Laban. After a month of working for Laban, Jacob asks to marry Laban's beautiful daughter, Rachel. He agrees to work for Laban for seven years to pay her bride price. But Laban has an older daughter, Leah, and he tricks Jacob into marrying Leah first. Jacob must agree to work another seven years so that he may marry Rachel. "And he loved Rachel more than Leah." Genesis 29:30
"The Lord saw that Leah was unloved and He opened her womb; and Rachel was barren." Genesis 29:30
This was certainly the cause of jealousy and bitterness between the sisters, but at long last "God remembered Rachel" and she bore a son, Joseph. Genesis 30:22
Now Jacob asks permission of Laban to return to his homeland in Canaan,
along with his family and acquired wealth. Again Jacob dreams of God’s
promise to be with him if he returns. There is a great deal of haggling with Laban over livestock and property, but ultimately Jacob leaves Haran without telling Laban. Laban pursues him, and after more arguments the issues are resolved.
In Vayishlach Jacob knows he will soon encounter his brother, Esau, and he is afraid of what this reunion might bring. They had not separated on good terms, to put it mildly. Easua has been plotting to kill Jacob since Jacob received their father’s (Isaac’s) blessings. Jacob prepares by separating his people into two camps, hoping to save at least half of his family. Jacob also sends many gifts ahead.
The night before this encounter Jacob wrestles with a man all night. Just before dawn, recognizing that this was a heavenly being, Jacob asks for a blessing. The being replied, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed." Genesis 32:28
The meeting with Esau becomes a tearful reconciliation. Each brother agrees to go his own way in peace. Jacob continues to move on. His beloved wife Rachel dies giving birth to their son, Benjamin, while they are on the move.
Parsha Vayesheiv finds Jacob settled in the land of Canaan. His son Joseph through his beloved Rachel is now 17. Joseph is so clearly the favorite, that all of his brothers hate him. Joseph does not help the situation any. He describes dreams which are easily interpreted to show his brothers bowing in deference toward him.
The brothers are driven to a desperate act. They throw Joseph into a pit, then sell him to a passing caravan. The brothers dip his cloak into goat's blood, leading Jacob to believe his son was killed.
Joseph winds up as a servant in the home of a high ranking Egyptian official. The mistress of the household makes advances toward Joseph, and when he refuses her affections she has him imprisoned. "But even while in prison the Lord was with Joseph." Genesis 39:21 Joseph became a supervisor of sorts, and some time later interpreted the dreams of two court officials, the royal cup bearer and the royal baker. Two years will pass before this was to become Joseph's ticket out of prison.