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 … Read on Macduff...
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, … Read on Macduff...
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 … Read on Macduff...
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 … Read on Macduff...
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 … Read on Macduff...
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 … Read on Macduff...
The 5 Books Meander, Week 7 (Va-Yetse’)
In brief:
In Va-Yese’ we get the first of Jacob’s dreams, as well as the first mention of the tithe, one of those little ideas that has had gigantic implications.
Jacob meets Rachel and Leah. Jacob the trickster is tricked … Read on Macduff...
The 5 Books Meander, Week 6 (Toledot)
In brief:
Toledot kicks off the story of Isaac and his family of tricksters. I mean no disrespect here. But it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that everyone in this family is, well, one who tricks. Almost everyone that is. … Read on Macduff...
The 5 Books Meander, Week 5 (Ḥayyei Sarah)
In brief:
Ḥayyei Sarah translates to “Life of Sarah.” This section focuses on Sarah’s passing, the arrival of Rebekah, and Abraham’s passing and burial. It surprised me that the story of Sarah’s passing would be referred to as “life of … Read on Macduff...