Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah #7: Vayetze (He went out) B’resheit (Genesis) 28:10-32:3
Haftarah: Hoshea (Hosea) 11:7-12:12
B’rit Chadashah: Yochanan (John) 1:43-51
There is a large portion of the parashah devoted to the process Ya’akov used to breed sheep and goats with specific color patterns, or brown coloring in the case of sheep that would become his wages for working for Lavan (Gen. 30:28-31:16). This narrative is often skimmed over in a search for what may be considered “more important” lessons in the rest of the parashah. Furthermore, a cursory reading of the life of Ya’akov may lead one to believe that he was a “trickster” through and through and wonder why G-d would bless such a man. Today I will attempt to clarify such misunderstandings.
First, it is important to recognize that Yaakov’s actions reflect a common theme in G-d’s Torah of hard work and resourcefulness. He didn’t sit back and wait on G-d to act on his behalf. G-d had already promised to bless him and his descendants and stay with him until what he was promised is fulfilled. Notice that I used the future tense in this comment because “Ya’akov” has not yet been brought back to the promised land. Genesis 28:13-15 has both immediate and future applications regarding the history and destiny of Israel (all true believers). We are encouraged to wisely use the resources that G-d provides.
Further examination of this narrative clearly reveals Laban’s dishonesty (Gen. 30:35). Although he agreed to Ya’akov’s plan to separate sheep and goats according to color and accept them as his wages, Laban went on that same day and “removed the streaked and spotted he-goats and all the speckled and spotted she-goats- every one that had white on it- and all the dark colored sheep, and left them in charge of his sons. And he put a distance of three days journey between himself and Ya’akov, while Ya’akov was pasturing the rest of his flock.”
To fully understand this specific event, we must look at the events that led to it. Ya’akov had run away from Esav and ended up living with Laban. He worked for Laban seven years so that he could marry Rachel, only to find that he had been deceived by Laban and given Leah instead. This deception set the tone for the continued strained relationship with Laban. Ya’akov’s hard work and loyalty were tested several times, but rather than being defeated by this, he learned and adapted. He came up with a strategy that involved selective breeding. Where did he get this “idea?’
When one closely follows the narrative, it becomes clear that a “sight-based’ breeding trick is not what Ya’akov attempted, much to the chagrin of those who posit that Ya’akov used “trickery” or “hocus-pocus” of some sort. Most people tend to focus on verses 40-41which when using English translates as “set the faces of the flocks toward” and before the eyes of the flock” and conclude that Ya’akov’s breeding program depended on getting the flocks to actually look at the peeled sticks/branches. What is often missed is the significance of verse 38 which tells us that Ya’akov placed the peeled sticks in the water troughs and that the flocks bred near the troughs. What is most likely going on here is that the females drank from the troughs, and the males came up from behind and mated with them. He females would also have been eating these sticks which gave the males more time to approach them.
The next question would naturally come to mind, is since Laban took all of the striped, speckled, and mottled animals out of the flocks, how could there be spotted and striped progeny? Enter G-d’s direction, medicinal herbs, and genetics. We must think “beyond our noses” for a minute. There had to be genetic information within the entire herd for spots or stripes, whether or not those characteristics were expressed in the progeny, being recessive traits rather than a dominant pure colored trait gene. However, Ya’akov had no need of specific knowledge of genetics. He only needed to trust and obey G-d.
In the narrative we find that Ya’akov learned what to do in a dream in Genesis 31:10-12. G-d provided Ya’akov with the knowledge of which animals would be born to those breeding. Although all of the spotted and striped animals had been removed by Laban, we may deduce that in Ya’akov’s dream/vision G-d revealed the underlying genetic makeup of some of the flock.
An inclusive answer to the questions about this narrative is that nothing is impossible with G-d, that G-d’s plan for his people will be accomplished no matter how man attempts to interfere with it, and that G-d provides everything we need to accomplish whatever task to which we are called to accomplish.
We must understand that Ya’akov did not cheat Laban. In fact, G-d counteracted Laban’s deceitful and dishonest behaviors toward Ya’akov. This is an example of how G-d will vindicate wrongs done to us throughout our earthly journey. G-d is our Judge, and it is He who will repay each individual for his/her deeds (Rev.22:12).
Another important aspect of this narrative is the specific mention of the types of sticks Ya’akov used and why these specific types were chosen. There are several studies that have been conducted on poplar, and almond tree bark, leaves, nuts, and twigs. The researchers mentioned that sheep would eat these twigs/sticks and that the ewes specifically benefited from them. Many of the chemical compounds were still found to be beneficial by steeping them in water. Poplar and willow trees improve reproductive rates owing to increase in conception rates and a higher incidence of multiple pregnancies.
Sweet almond has been shown to have several benefits for ruminant in treating genitourinary diseases and disorders. Another study showed that the Jews have used almond tree bark to increase production of mother’s milk and to decrease birth pangs in livestock. Yemenite Jews used almonds externally to treat bleeding. There are a number of other maladies for which sweet almonds are used which are not discussed in this commentary. The last tree listed in Genesis 30:37 is translated in English versions as Chestnut, Plane, or Sycamore. There are documented health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties that are best extracted by having the wood in water. This is exactly what Ya’akov did, lending credence to the opinion that Ya’akov had knowledge of medicinals and their use in breeding livestock. The most common internal remedies were made by steeping the bark of the trees mentioned in water. Ya’akov cut strips in the twigs, exposing the bark tannins, and then placed them in the water troughs. The sun warmed them up sufficiently to release the chemical compounds in the water.
So rather than subscribing to the opinion that the extensive narrative describing Ya’akov’s dream/vision from G-d concerning, then his breeding strategy as superstitious folklore or myth, this Scriptural account is supported by botanical and pharmacologic studies, which are used today with continuing research. Again, critics of the Bible cannot credibly refute the evidence of sound science in G-d’s Torah, and that many of the answers we seek today in treating disease, reproductive issues, and other health related concerns are found in the Book of Genesis, from the beginning!
Haftarah: Hoshea (Hosea) 11:7-12:12
Today I want to focus on verses 3-7 “Adonai also has a grievance against Y’hudah; he will punish Ya’akov according to his ways and pay him back for his misdeeds. In the womb he took his brother by the heel; in the strength of his manhood he fought with G-d. Yes, he fought with an angel and won; he wept and pleaded with him. Then at Beit-El he found him, and there he would [later] speak with us- Adonai Elohei- Tzva’ot; Adonai is his name! So you, return to your G-d; hold fast to grace and justice; and always put your hope in your G-d.
Notice that in this passage we see a reference to “us” in verse 5. This is a reference to Yahshua who was the “angel in the narrative where Ya’akov wrestled with G-d, G-d specifically stated in Genesis 32:28. This is another gem of the truth of G-d’s Torah that Yahshua and G-d are One and the Same. Again, I refer the reader/listener to John chapter 14 which provides one of the most extensive narratives where Yahshua reveals himself as G-d and Messiah.
In verse 7 we see once again that G-d is not all grace. The second part of the equation that will result in our success when our earthly race is over is our love and adherence to G-d’s instructions/law/Torah. Grace AND Justice. YHVH/Yahshua is our Judge and there can be no judgment of good or evil without the free-will option to choose between the two. Therefore, we may conclude that we must live our lives in an active mode just as Ya’akov did when he was confronted with multiple challenges and injustices. Faith=actions based on belief.
B’rit Chadashah: Yochanan (John) 1:43-51
We immediately see the importance of the Old Testament as the foundation of G-d’s Word and the reference to its contents in the B’rit Chadashah as evidenced by this passage. Philip recalled that Moshe wrote about the prophet that would be greater than him and that the people were /are to listen to him (Deut. 18:15-18; Acts 3:22). Yahshua Ben-Yosef would have been his official Hebrew name, by which he would have been known. Yosef the carpenter was his legal father who functioned as his father, raising Him so that He grew both in wisdom and in stature (Lk. 2:52). It would have been appropriate to call Him Yahshua Ben-Elohim, but this name would not have been a practical way to identify Him in the society of His time. We also see that verse 51 refers back to the dream Ya’akov had described in Genesis 28:12. As the “Conduit” between G-d and man, Yahshua is that “Ladder” between heaven and earth. He is G-d, and he became man to show us how to live his instructions. His Name Yah (G-d) saves (Shuah) and His Name within the Tetragrammaton of G-d Y(Hand) H(behold)V(nail) H(behold) verify that Yahshua is G-d. Yahshua was not saying that this would be a physical experience like they would see later with the Transfiguration, but that the relationship between G-d and man is a dynamic one with trials and blessings; changes in the relationship with G-d as the individual is tested then rested before the next life challenge. Angels ascending and descending are ever present and are used by G-d for the benefit of those who love him through both trials and other life events just as they were used in the Bible. Just as we learned in the narrative of Avraham, the Theophany of Yahshua, and the two angels who accompanied him, we should always be aware of the fact that people with whom we come in contact may in fact be angels of G-d!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart
Various studies on the influence of plant materials on animal reproduction and health may be explored in detail at
http://answersigenesis.org/answers/in-depth/v14/