The Parashat Vayishlach, meaning “and He Sent” (Genesis 32:4–36:43) begins with Ya’acov sending messengers to his brother Esav. They return with news that Esav is coming to meet him with 400 men. Fearing this encounter, Ya’acov prays to G-d for protection, recalling that this will be the first time in over 20 years they meet since Ya’acov received the blessing meant for Esav. Ya’acov humbly thanks G-d for His kindness and faithfulness, saying, “I am unworthy of all the loving kindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps” (Genesis 32:10).

In hopes of appeasing Esav, Ya’acov prepares a large gift of livestock, sending them in three waves: 200 female goats and 20 male goats, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 milking camels with their young, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. He divides his family into two groups to protect them. That night, Ya’acov wrestles with a mysterious being, whom he believes to be sent from G-d. Ya’acov names the place Peniel, meaning “the face of G-d,” for he says, “I have seen G-d face to face, yet my life has been preserved” (Genesis 32:30).

Ya’acov and Esav meet and embrace, parting peacefully thereafter. The parasha continues with the account of Simeon and Levi’s vengeance against Shechem, where they kill all the men of the city after the assault on their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34:25–31). In response, Ya’acov tells his household to put away their idols and purify themselves as they prepare to go to Bethel, where Ya’acov builds an altar to G-d (Genesis 35:2–7).

At Bethel, G-d speaks to Ya’acov again, renaming him Israel and reaffirming the covenantal blessings given to Abraham and Isaac. The parasha closes with two significant deaths: Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin, and Isaac passes away at the age of 180. Isaac is buried by his sons, Ya’acov and Esav (Genesis 35:18–20, 35:28–29).