Summary of parashat Vaishlaj
Jacob returns to the Holy Land after twenty years of living in Haran and sends angel messengers to Esau in the hope of reconciliation; but his messengers report that his brother is on his way with 400 armed men. Jacob prepares for war, prays, and sends a large gift to Esau (consisting of hundreds of sheep and cattle) to appease him.
That night, Jacob crosses the Jabbok River with his family and possessions. However, he remains on the other side and encounters an angel who embodies the spirit of Esau, with whom he wrestles until dawn. Jacob suffers a dislocated hip, but he defeats the supernatural being, who gives him the name Israel, meaning "he who prevails over the Divine.".
Jacob and Esau meet, embrace, and kiss, but then part ways. Jacob buys land near Shechem, whose prince, also named Shechem, abducts and rapes Jacob's daughter, Dinah. Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, avenge this disgrace by killing all the male inhabitants of the city, after having tricked them into circumcising themselves.
Jacob continues his journey. Rachel dies while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin, and is buried by the roadside near Bethlehem. Reuben loses his birthright because he interferes with his father's marital life. Jacob arrives in Hebron to his father Isaac, who later dies at the age of 180 (Rivera dies before Jacob's arrival).
Our section concludes with a detailed account of Eisav's wives, children, and grandchildren, and the family histories of the people of Seir, among whom Eisav lives.
