Vayeitzei – Holy Sheeple

A large section of our Parsha contains intricate descriptions of Jacob as a shepherd. Initially, he worked for Laban as a shepherd for 7 years for the rights to marry Laban’s younger daughter Rachel. When the 7 years concluded, Laban swindled him, giving Leah instead, only ceding Rachel after Jacob agreed to work as a shepherd for an additional 7 years. After 14 years, Jacob’s tenure as a shepherd continued: for six more years, Jacob served as Laban shepherd in exchange for pay, with all spotted and speckled sheep born to the flock being acquired by Jacob, and all monochromatic sheep remaining Laban’s.

What is the salience of the Torah’s protracted descriptions of Jacob as a shepherd? Why did Jacob seek the speckled and spotted sheep specifically and not the monochromatic sheep? Why does the Torah spend so much time discussing Jacob the shepherd? In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast we dive deep into the meaning and mystery of the sheep of Laban.

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The Parsha Podcast is dedicated in loving memory and leilui nishmas Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, the head of the Bet Din in London and one of the most impactful and influential Rabbis in Europe over the last half century, who passed away last week. His passing is a huge loss for the Jewish communities of Europe and all the people who were fortunate enough to know him and have a relationship with him. May his Soul be elevated in Heaven.

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