#sefaria

[unbidden-yidden-deactivated20240]

Shout-out to Sefaria for this beautiful drash. This was a really sweet thing to receive in my inbox, and I thought some of you all might appreciate it, too.

[zooptseyt]

This line from a midrash is killing me. Naming my son "See the Normal Man" because he's just so fucking Normal.

[writer-at-the-table]

[Today's learning is dedicated to the peace and safety for all in Israel. Join Jews around the world who find solace and spiritual power in our tradition with some common prayers and texts for times of uncertainty.]

Sefaria has a banner on the top of the homepage now.

[sagescented]

May those who seek to destroy my life enter the depths of the earth. May they be gutted by the sword; may they be prey to jackals.

But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by [God] shall exult, when the mouth of liars is stopped.

From Psalm 63; Sefaria

[bubblefemmejewitchery]

cats in the talmuld from sefaria

[geostatonary]

Catch me on sefaria when twitter dies

[ralphdvd]

[arborescent-shadows]

sefaria my beloved

[yearnings-and-yiddishkayt]

well this is going to make me feel stuff while davening

[alonelywomanoffaith]

Vayishlach - 09.12.2022

Bs"D

Yaakov's Anxiety

"Yaakov was greatly frightened; in his anxiety, he divided the people with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps" (Bereshis 32:8).

Why would one of the forefathers of Klal Yisroel show anxiety? The biblical forefathers are supposed to be beacons of emuna and bitachon. Chizkuni answers our question, referencing Midrash (Chizkuni on Bereshis 32:8:1)

"...you may well ask that after Yaakov had been met by angels, as we read at the end of the last portion, and these angels were clearly meant to protect him, what did he have to worry about? This obvious question is answered by our sages by explaining that one of these angels was Michael, Yaakov’s protective angel, whereas the second one was Samael, Esau’s angel. Knowing this, Yaakov had no way of knowing which of these two angels was more powerful. This is why he became very fearful." The source of the names of the angels appears to be Bereshis Rabba 78.

Who are Michael and Samael? Michael, Yaakov's angel, is the personification of Chesed. He is named for the first time in Sefer Daniel. Samael, Eisav's angel, is mentioned frequently in Midrash and kabbalistic texts, known for a multitude of reasons - all negative. Samael is known as the Yetzer HaRa, the prosecuting angel for Yaakov and all Israel. In fact, in Sefer HaBahir (Chp. 200) it is revealed that Samael came down in the form of the serpent in order to trick Adam HaRishon. The punishment for this action was to become the guardian of Eisav, an evil man.

Yaakov's fear was not of Eisav himself, but of his guardian, Samael - who was also Yaakov's accuser. Sefer HaChinuch 3:2 references that Samael's intention was to wipe out Yaakov - him, and his descendants - but due to Yaakov's great righteousness, he could not. Instead, Yaakov is injured in the hip - the 'Gid HaNashe'

To note - we do not pronounce the name of Samael, instead calling it "Samech Mem", a custom recorded by R' Chaim Vital and the AriZal's Taamei Hamitzvot (end of Parshat Vayechi)

To read more about this, see the link below:

The Sole Negative Commandment in the Parsha

When Yaakov fights the Malach, he is injured - the 'gid hanashe' is damaged. This translates to the sciatic nerve, hence the halachic prohibition on consuming the sciatic nerve itself (Bereshis 32:33). In Ashkenazi communities today even the rear of the animal is not eaten, as we do not have a mesorah on the removal of the nerve itself. This is codified into halacha in Sefer HaChinuch 3:1;

"Not to eat the sciatic nerve: [Parshat] Vayishlach has one negative commandment, and it is the prohibition of [eating] the sciatic nerve; as it is stated (Genesis 32:33), "Therefore the Children of Israel shall not eat the sciatic nerve." And this [phrase] "they shall not eat" is not to be taken as part of the story, to mean that because this event occurred to [our] forefather, [we, his] descendants refrain from eating that nerve. Rather, it is a warning (prohibition) of God that they shall not eat it."

Bibliography:

Ephraim Palvanov's amazing blog, MayimAchronim.com

All translations/ texts from Sefaria

Mi Yodeya

[writer-at-the-table]

"It’s been a year unlike any other. Since October 7, 2023, life has been exceptionally challenging in Israel and for Jews worldwide."It’s been a year unlike any other. Since October 7, 2023, life has been exceptionally challenging in Israel and for Jews worldwide.

Through nearly a year of war, many of us have done what Jews have always done: turned to our sacred texts — to make meaning, to seek comfort, and to find strength in the struggles and wisdom of those who came before us. Now, as we enter the holiday season amid escalating violence in and around Israel, that need is as strong as ever.

Below, we’ve compiled a handful of texts and resources from the Sefaria library that may be useful for you during this time."

[sagescented]

The main reason [... Prayers ...] are not accepted [by HaShem] is that the words lack grace and do not penetrate the heart of [HaShem]. It is as if there were no place in [Its] heart for the words to enter, because the petitioner is lacking the grace needed for the words to enter [HaShem's] heart.

From Likutei Moharan 1:3; Rabbi Nachman of Breslov via Sefaria (My Ko-Fi Here)

[anniflamma]

So that midrash is in the Sotah, in chapter 1 - 13b

I usually use Sefaria. It's a library with all types of Jewish texts, like the Tanakh, but also the Talmud, Midrash, and even collections from Jewish theologians throughout history. It's a really good site if you want to go on a deep dive.

Midrashes are pretty crazy. It’s like fanfiction.... and sometimes they can really venture into the ArchiveOfOurOwn realm...

Question: How can Potiphar be a eunuch if he’s married to a woman? That doesn’t make any sense!

A midrash: Oh, it’s because Potiphar did have a manhood, but when he bought Joseph as his slave, he intended to buy him as his sex slave. But before he could touch the 17-year-old, an angel came and cut off his manhood! And that’s why Potiphar is a eunuch yet married to a woman!

Me: W H A T ?!?!! (im scared)

[unlovablereject]

Favorite Psalm to prep for Teshuva.

Of David.

The LORD is my light and my help

whom should I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my

life,

whom should I dread?

When evil men assail me

to devour my flesh-

it is they, my foes and my enemies

who stumble and fall,

Should an army besiege me,

my heart would have no fear;

should war beset me,

still would I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD,

only that do I seek:

to live in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the

LORD,

to frequent His temple.

He will shelter me in His pavilion

on an evil day,

grant me the protection of His

tent,

raise me high upon a rock

Now is my head high

over my enemies round about;

I sacrifice in His tent with shouts

of

joy,

singing and chanting a hymn to the

LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;

have mercy on on me, me, answer me

In Your behalt my heart says:

"Seek My face!"

○ LORD, I seek Your face

Do not hide Your face from me;

do not thrust aside Your servant ir

anger;

You have ever been my help.

Do not forsake me, do not abando

me,

○ God, my deliverer.

Though my father and mother

abandon me,

the LORD will take me in

Show me Your way, O LORD,

and lead me on a level Path

because of my watchful foes.

Do not subject me to the will of

my foes

for false witnesses and unjust

accusers

have appeared against me.

Had I not the assurance

that I would enjoy the goodness of

the LORD

in the land of the living...

Look to the LORD;

be strong and of good courage!

O look to the LORD!

[amminadav]

Source sheet for “The Book of Creation” ready

Finished! Source sheet for next episode of "Alphabetic Judaism" - video coming soon - recommend checking out the sources in advance! https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/453027?lang=en