Guiding Questions: Genesis 28

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. Is there any reference to the “blessing”, to Esau’s reaction, etc. in Genesis 28:1–5 or is it simply the fear that Jacob, too, may marry Hittites?
  2. What is Esau’s action when he learns of his parents’ aversion to Canaanite wives for their children – and does the text indicate whether they had told him before?
  3. Are Genesis 28:12–15 an appearance of the Divine (vide: Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Rivkah, Isaac) or a dream?
  4. As a detail, in this narrative of the ladder, are “angels” (God’s messengers) winged?
  5. In Genesis 28:13, is God standing on the ladder or next to Jacob, or both?
  6. Do Genesis 28:13–14 differ in content from earlier messages to Abraham and Isaac?
  7. In Genesis 28:15, is the Divine geographically limited (i.e. “wherever you go”)?
  8. What is “God’s house” and what is the “gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:17)? And what role does Beth El play in Jewish history?
  9. In Genesis 28:20–22, is Jacob’s pledge (an acknowledgement of who would be “his God”) unconditional or quid pro quo?

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  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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