Parsha Vayetze Discussion Questions

As part of our Book of Bereshit (Genesis) Engagement Project, as we read from the Book of Bereshit,  every week we will be posting discussion questions that we hope families will use to discuss the Torah portion over Shabbat, as well as either a video D’var Torah or a unique Camp Ramah parsha quiz.

This week’s discussion questions were developed by this past summer’s Machon campers, when they were in Shoafim.   We encourage you to post any of your family’s answers to the questions in the comments section below.

Parsha Vayetze Discussion Questions

Developed by

Daniel Bard, Ben Roberts, Shara Safer, Zoe Mann-Weiner, Anna Golub

• Lavan tricked Jacob so that Leah would be married before Rachel because she was the oldest daughter. Is it fair to trick someone who’s helped you even if it’s to benefit someone you love?

• Why, if Lavan had good intentions, do you think that he made Jacob work for seven more years in order to marry Rachel?

• Jacob was tricked because Leah was wearing a veil so she looked like Rachel. How do you feel about us still using this object in a wedding when it was harmful in the past?

• Why didn’t God intervene when God knew that Leah was getting married the first time instead of Rachel? Do you think there was any good that came from this situation?

• Why do you think Lavan did not make a deal with Jacob in the first place to marry Leah first and then Rachel?