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We at ClassicalHebrew welcome all the new and continuing students that joined us for the January semester, and wish them a great and fulfilling experience.
The registration for the February semester is open!
The Biblical course starts February 22nd. We have a limited number of places available, so don't be left out.
Enroll in the February Modern Hebrew course, starting February 2nd. Hone, improve and develop your Hebrew skills.
Your portion of the weekly portion - and this week we will discuss "VaEra". our Biblical Hebrew newsletter is happy to present you the Jewish weekly portion of the week, which is read during prayer services on the Sabbath.
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Dear friends,
Our last two newsletters dealt with the sons of Jacob's concubines: Dan and Asher, the sons of Bilhah (Rachel's maid), and Gad and Naphtali, the sons of Zilpah (Leah's maid). After these sons were born, we are told that one day Reuben, Leah's firstborn, brought her mandrakes from the field. Mandrakes were a known aphrodisiac in ancient times.
Rachel saw this and asked Leah for some of the mandrakes, a request which angered Leah very much, prompting her to say "Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband, that now you are taking my son's mandrakes as well?" (Genesis 30:15) Clearly, there was a lot of friction between the two sisters. Leah agreed to give Rachel the mandrakes in return to having Jacob lay with her that night instead of with Rachel. Leah then conceives again, and gives birth to two sons and one daughter.
Issachar
Birth
Issachar's birth is described in Genesis 30:17, his birth being the result of God listening to Leah's prayers.
Naming
| Leah names Issachar, which is from the root |
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meaning "hire" or "wages", because |
she says that he is God's reward to her for having given her maid to Jacob.
Personal History
We hear nothing of Issachar, the forefather of the tribe of Issachar, in the Book of Genesis. He is obviously one of the brothers and had some part in the selling of Joseph as well as in the brothers' descent to Egypt, but we have no details as to what role he played in these events.
Future as described in the blessings of Jacob and Moses
In the blessing of Jacob, Issachar is described as "a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds" (Genesis 49:14). This obviously tells us about the tribe's lifestyle, as shepherds, but it is all we know about them. Moses blesses Issachar that they should rejoice in their tents (Deuteronomy 33:18) – again, telling us of their nomad lifestyle.
The Tribe in Biblical History
In the times of the Judges, members of the tribe were faithful warriors and assisted Deborah and Barak in their war against the Canaanites (Judges 5:15). We also hear that one of the judges to rule over Israel was Tola son of Puah son of Dodo (Judges 10:1). We do not hear details about his rule as judge. In the Book of Chronicles we hear that the members of the tribe were mighty warriors (1 Chronicles 7:5). Other than that we hear sporadic accounts referring to the members of the tribe throughout the period before the fall of the Northern Israelite Kingdom.
Zebulun
Birth
The birth of Zebulun, the sixth son of Leah, is describes in Genesis 30:19-20.
Naming
| The name Zebulun, a derivative of the word |
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, zeved, literally "gift", is given by |
Leah, for she hopes that now that she has given birth to six sons, her husband will honor and reward her.
Personal History
We hear nothing of Zebulun, the forefather of the tribe of Zebulun, in the Book of Genesis. He is obviously one of the brothers and had some part in the selling of Joseph as well as in the brothers' descent to Egypt, but we have no details as to what role he played in these events.
Future as described in the blessings of Jacob and Moses
From the blessing of Jacob, we learn mainly about where Zebulun resided: their lot was by the shores of the Mediterranean, in northern Israel. Moses simply blesses them to rejoice in their going out – again, referring to the fact that they reside by the sea.
The Tribe in Biblical History
In the times of the judge Deborah, the warriors from Zebulun are active in Barak's fight against the Canaanites (Judges 4:10). They also participated in Gideon's war against the Midianites (Judges 6:35). Elon the Zebulunite was a judge over Israel during that era as well (Judges 12:11-12). Later in Israelite history we hear only sporadic accounts mentioning members of the tribe.
Dinah
Birth
The birth of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob, is described in Genesis 30:21.
Naming
We know only that Leah is the one who named Dinah, no explanation for the name is given.
The Story of Dinah (Genesis 34)
When Jacob lived in the Shechem area, we hear that Dinah associated with the local girls, and a local man, Shechem the son of Hamor, the local prince, seized her and lay with her by force. We then hear that he in fact fell in love with her, and he and his father make an agreement with Jacob so that they will be allowed to marry, and that Jacob's family will intermarry with the people of Shecem. The sons of Jacob insist that all the men of the city be circumcised, and they agree to this condition. On the third day after the circumcision, which is considered the most painful day, Simeon and Levi go out and kill all the men of the city as revenge for the rape of Dinah. Jacob is furious that his sons breached his agreement with the locals in this manner. Other than this story, we hear nothing of Dinah or her life, and we only know that she went down to Egypt with Jacob and his family.
The Battle in Shechem
Have a great week!
The Biblical Hebrew Online Team.
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