Questions - Parsha Vayetze Adot Adonai 1

Torah Study Questions

Parsha Vayetze -- B'reshit (Gen) 28:10 - 32:3

Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas

Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically? What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play? What is the

significance of each role? Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play? What is the

significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha? What are the subdivisions, if any?

Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Chapter 28

What was the state of mind of Ya’akov as he left his home and traveled toward Charan? If he was the

chosen one, the one on whom the birthright and firstborn blessing had just been delivered, why was he

being banished from the land promised to his father and to him? How soon did he expect to return home

and how would he know that he could return? Who would make the final decision about the blessings to

Ya’akov?

At night fall, where did Ya’akov stop and what was special about this place? Who did Ya’akov encounter

at this place and how? Describe the dream and the significance of the symbolism in it. What lessons might

we learn from this dream about our relationship with YHVH? What is significant about the place where

the ladder stood?

Summarize what YHVH spoke to Ya’akov. What two Hebrew words in YHVH’s statement are

particularly significant and why? How has this promise of YHVH been fulfilled through the centuries and

in modern times? Describe Ya’akov's reaction when he awoke. What did Ya’akov do to commemorate

this event? What did Ya’akov promise and what was its significance?

What two Hebrew phrases and their English meanings help us understand the nature and purpose of the

Beit HaMikdash and our relationship with YHVH, our Abba (Father)? How? According to the Prophets,

how will these two relationships be united in the last days? What does Rav Shaul teach us, as believers

and spiritual descendants of Ya’akov, about our bodies and the Holy Temple? What exhortation does he

give us in this context? What identification did Y'shua make of the ladder in Ya’akov's dream and what

is the significance?

Questions - Parsha Vayetze Adot Adonai 2

Chapter 29

Where and how does Ya’akov meet his future bride? Describe the similarities and differences between

the meeting with his mother by the servant of Avraham. What was the relationship between Raquel and

Ya’akov? How did Raquel's father react to the news of Ya’akov's arrival? What do you think motivated

his response?

What promise did Ya’akov make; what motivated him; and how did the time pass? What lesson may we

draw from this experience regarding our preparation for our wedding to Y'shua? How did Lavan respond

to the promise at the end of the seven years? How did Ya’akov respond to this deception? When did he

receive his reward for the seven years additional service? Whom did he love more and what were the

results during their lives and at their deaths?

Chapter 30

Imagine that you were Ya’akov, Leah, or Raquel. Describe the various emotions, conflicts, and

reconciliations that you were experiencing at various times during this triangular relationship. Review and

discuss the list of the names of the sons of Ya’akov and the meaning of their Hebrew names. What was

the general significance of the meaning of these children? What is the significance of the name of the fourth

son born to Leah? What name is contained within his name? What letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet is not

common to both names and what is its significance from ancient Hebrew pictograms? What did Y'shua

have to say about this? What group of people in the world today bear a derivative of that name? Who is

properly included in that group?

When Ya’akov informs Lavan of his intention to leave with his family and return to his land, what is Lavan's

response? How does Ya’akov respond? What is the long-term result of Lavan's acceptance of this

proposal?

Chapter 31

Who objects to Ya’akov's accumulation of wealth and how does Ya’akov respond? How do his wives

respond and what specific reasons do they provide? How does Ya’akov respond to his wives’ decision?

What lessons may we learn from the actions of Ya’akov and the response of his wives and children? Who

is in charge of their lives, their actions, and their decisions?

Questions - Parsha Vayetze Adot Adonai 3

What does Lavan do when he discovers his extended family has left? Who confronts Lavan and what does

he tell Lavan about any confrontation with Ya’akov and family? What does Lavan say to Ya’akov when

he confronts him and what does he accuse Ya’akov of doing? What was the significance of these missing

items? How does Lavan attempt to prove his accusation, what is the result and why?

How does Ya’akov turn the tables on Lavan? What was the response of Lavan and what did he do with

Ya’akov and then his family? How do you characterize the statement of Lavan in verse 49 and why?

What lesson can we learn from this about the use of the word of G-d?

Closing Questions: For Personal Introspection

Why do you believe our loving Father provided us with this particular portion of his words? What was his

purpose and objective in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day? What benefit do they have

for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like

to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the study?

What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life?

How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently pray for the Ruach HaKodesh to implant his words like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart,

and to enable you to respond fully as they do.