Torah FeedParashat Vayishlach
Genesis 32:4 to 36:43, 153 verses. Next read on Shabbat, November 28, 2026.
Updated September 24, 2026
וַיִּשְׁלַח
- Book
- Genesis
- Reading
- 32:4 to 36:43
- Verses
- 153
- Position
- 8 of 54
Opening verse
וַיִּשְׁלַח יַעֲקֹב מַלְאָכִים לְפָנָיו אֶל־עֵשָׂו אָחִיו אַרְצָה שֵׂעִיר שְׂדֵה אֱדוֹם׃
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom.
Read the full text from the start of the portion: Genesis 32 in Hebrew and English.
Summary
Jacob prepares to meet Esau after twenty years, dividing his camp and sending gifts ahead. Alone at night he wrestles with a stranger until dawn and is given the name Israel, one who has struggled with God and with men and prevailed. The brothers meet, and Esau embraces him. Dinah is taken by Shechem, and Simeon and Levi take a violent revenge that Jacob condemns. Jacob returns to Beit El, Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried on the road to Bethlehem, and Isaac dies. The portion closes with the generations of Esau.
Key moments
- Wrestling until dawn and the name Israel (32:25 to 32:33)
- The reunion with Esau (33:1 to 33:17)
- Rachel's death on the road (35:16 to 35:21)
When is Vayishlach read?
Upcoming Shabbat readings in the Diaspora calendar:
- Saturday, November 28, 2026
- Saturday, December 18, 2027
- Saturday, December 2, 2028
In some years this portion is read together with its neighbor as a double portion. The dates above include those weeks.