In brief: The gang brings Jethro up to speed, and God makes a memorable appearance. A couple of thoughts: Where much of Exodus thus far has hit me with a political vibe, this one seemed to be full of great…
The 5 Books Meander, Week 12 (Va-Yeḥi)
In brief: Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons, and once again it’s a good day to be the youngest child. Jacob then gathers his sons and delivers a series of prophecies that to be honest sound a little bit insulting here…
Scribble
Some books you keep for the inscription, not for the book. The spine on your shelf reminds you of the moment they gave you that present, the feeling of something landing when you opened it later that night. I mean,…
The 5 Books Meander, Week 11 (Va-Yiggash)
In brief: Va-Yiggash starts out just as Joseph has demanded Benjamin be left behind and their father brought to Egypt, all on account of a super important stolen-but-not-really-stolen goblet that we’ll never hear about again. Trickery! After some sobbing and…
The 5 Books Meander, Week 10 (Mikkets)
In brief: Joseph gets a haircut, some new clothes, some more new clothes, a wife, two kids, and nigh-Pharaoh-like power over the kingdom. So all in all, a pretty good bounce back for this promising young man. Years of abundance…
The 5 Books Meander, Week 9 (Va-Yashev)
In brief: We meet Jacob’s second-youngest-son Joseph, who is beloved by his father, and a bit of a twerp. Speaking of Joseph’s father, despite being renamed by the Lord, which you would think would count for something, so-called “Israel” is…
The 5 Books Meander, Week 8 (Va-Yishlaḥ)
In brief: Jacob journeys back to Esau, worried, aware of the weight of what he’s done, seeking to make amends. Along the way, he wrestles with a mysterious figure and comes away with a limp to remind him of the…