Parshas Vayishlach
Zechus Refuah Sheleima: Tzvi ben Devorah
Le'iluy Nishmas: Gittel a"h bas Shraga Meir Hakohen
Another great Parsha with many ideas for your Parsha Party. REMINDER - THIS IS A SPRINGBOARD OF IDEAS. YOU CAN CHOOSE ONE IDEA OR A FEW. AND HAVE THE KIDS GUESS THE CONNECTIONS.
Parsha Overview (Feel free to skip straight to the Party below - simply click the arrow next to this text and the overview will disappear.)
Yaakov returns to Eretz Canaan. He sends messengers / Mal’achim ahead of him to greet his brother Esav and try to appease him. He says “Im Lavan Garti” I lived with Lavan like a stranger (and kept the Taryag Mitzvos – Rashi). I amassed wealth and am coming to appease you. The messengers return saying Esav is coming with 400 men towards you as if ready to fight. Yaakov is afraid and he divides his family and flock into two camps.
He prepares for the encounter in 3 ways. With a gift, prepares for war, and davens to Hashem to save him and his family. He sends 3 groups with gifts ahead of him. Then at night he takes his family and crosses over the Yabbok River. He went back alone to get some small jars and jugs that he left behind. “Vayevaser Yaakov Levado” – while Yaakov was there alone an angel in disguise as a man (He was the malach of Esav) started to wrestle with him until the morning. The angel/man dislocates Yaakov’s hip as Yaakov is overcoming him. He gives Yaakov the new name Yisrael. Yaakov names the place Peniel and when the sun rises he limps on his way. Because of this encounter we are forbidden to eat the “Gid Hanasheh” – the hip of an animal.
Yaakov sets up his wives and children to greet Esav and he goes in front of them bowing to the ground seven times as he approaches Esav. Esav runs to greet him, hugs him, falls on his neck, and kisses him. According to the Medrash he tried bite Yaakov’s neck but Hashem made it hard like a rock. Esav inquires about all the women and children and they come and bow before him. Yaakov attempts to have Esav keep the gifts to which Esav replies “Yesh li Rav” – I have a lot already. Yaakov responds “Yesh li kol” – I have everything that Hashem knows I need already. Esav wants to travel alongside Yaakov who convinces him not to as they will be going slow at child’s pace. Esav goes on his way to Seir and Yaakov travels to Sukkos where he settles.
Yaakov goes to the land Shechem and his daughter Dina wanders around She is kidnapped by the prince also named Shechem, the son of Chamor, and he violates her. Shechem decides he wants to marry her and his father tries to convince Yaakov to agree. Meanwhile, Dina’s brothers Shimon and Levi devise a plan. They trick all the people of the city that they will let them marry Yaakov’s family if they all do a bris milah. They agree and when they are recovering from the milah, the brothers go and kill all the men and take the wealth and booty. Yaakov is upset at their actions.
Hashem tells Yaakov to return to Beis-El to build a Mizbeyach. The Pasuk tells us here that Devorah, the nursemaid of Rivka, passes away. Rashi says that this is here to tell us that Rivka had sent Devorah to tell Yaakov to return home from Lavan.
Hashem appears to Yaakov and tells him his name is now Yisrael. He tells him that he will be fruitful and multiply and kings will come from him. Yaakov goes on his way towards Ephras when suddenly Rochel gives birth to a son and she dies. She calls him Ben Oni – the son of my pain. Yaakov names him Binyamin. He is the 12th shevet born. Yaakov buries her there and sets up a monument (which today is Kever Rochel).
The Pesukim list off the Shevatim. Yaakov goes to see his father who dies at 180. Yaakov and Esav bury him in Me’aras Hamachpela. Next the Pesukim go on to list the descendants of Esav and the land of Edom. . (Adapted partially from In a Nutshell by Chabad.org and The Medrash says)
And now for the fun part
PARSHA PARTY
Esav comes with 400 Men marching towards Yaakov
400 Jelly Beans (Thanks to the person that sent this in!)
Fruit by the foot
Yaakov Kept Garti/Taryag Mitzvos
Torah Oodles
Yaakov crossed the Yabbok River with his family
Blue sippies or sour sticks or Blue Candies
Blue Powerade/Gatorade
Yaakov returns to get jugs and bottles he left behind
Fizzy bottles
Hashem brings out the sun to heal Yaakov
Sun cups
Sunkist soda or candies
Yaakov divides his family into 2 camps
Pull and peel
Double Taffy
Black and white cookies
Yaakov tells Esav he amassed much wealth by Lavan and wants to give to Esav
Winkie money rolls
Chocolate gelt
Gelt taffy
Dollar candy
Jewel pops
Gempops
Yaakov dazzles Esav with gifts to appease him
Dazzlers
Candy platter gift for simcha
Sour belts – gift ribbons
Brownie bars with sprinkles
(Baking idea) Gift box shaped deserts – cookie/cake squares or rice crispy treat squares wrapped with a sour stick or lasso candy bow
He sends the gifts ahead in three groups
Triple dippers
Trios cookies (similar to Oreos)
Yaakov replies to Esav "Yesh Li Kol"
Cola Candy
Esav hugs Yaakov and attempts to bite his neck
Huggy Bears
Fruit bites
Bite Go candy
Yaakov tells Esav not to walk together because he is going at kids pace
Kids mix jelly belly
Lotus Cookies - Esav says Let us (Lot us) walk together :)
Hashem tells Yaakov he will be fruitful and multiply before Binyomin is born
Fruit snacks
Fruit sticks
Fruit chews
Fruzips
Candy fruits
Baby Binyamin is born to Rochel before she dies
Baby bites
Pacifier candy
Yaakov goes to Bais El to build Mizbeyach
Candy brix – mizbayach
GoGos
There are 12 Shevatim
12 pack smiley cupcakes
We would love to hear your additional ideas in the comments below!
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Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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