A NOTE ABOUT PARASHAH 7 - Vayetze (He went out) Genesis 28:10 through 32:3

THIS PARTICULAR PARASHAH - where we see endless jealousy and wrangling going on between Ya’akov’s (Jacob’s) two wives  - provides a perfect example revealing that God never intended men to have more than one wife! (And YES, I am directing these comments to the cruel and nonsensical “Gawd condones, and wants men to multiple wives” crowd in the Hebrew Roots arena!)

Just take a look at the anguish this caused the two sisters, Rachel and Leah:

Genesis 30: 1 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing children for Ya'akov, she envied her sister and said to Ya'akov, "Give me children, or I will die!" 2 This made Ya'akov angry at Rachel; he answered, "Am I in God's place? He's the one who is denying you children." 3 She said, "Here is my maid Bilhah. Go, sleep with her, and let her give birth to a child that will be laid on my knees, so that through her I too can build a family." 4 So she gave him Bilhah her slave-girl as his wife, and Ya'akov went in and slept with her. 5 Bilhah conceived and bore Ya'akov a son. 6 Rachel said, "God has judged in my favor; indeed he has heard me and given me a son." Therefore she called him Dan [he judged].

7 Bilhah Rachel's slave-girl conceived again and bore Ya'akov a second son. 8 Rachel said, "I have wrestled mightily with my sister and won," and called him Naftali [my wrestling]. 9 When Le'ah saw that she had stopped having children, she took Zilpah her slave-girl and gave her to Ya'akov as his wife. 10 Zilpah Le'ah's slave-girl bore Ya'akov a son; 11 and Le'ah said, "Good fortune has come," calling him Gad [good fortune]. 12 Zilpah Le'ah's slave-girl bore Ya'akov a second son; 13 and Le'ah said, "How happy I am! Women will say I am happy!" and called him Asher [happy].

14 During the wheat harvest season Re'uven went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Le'ah. Rachel said to Le'ah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes [so that I can be fertile]." 15 She answered, "Isn't it enough that you have taken away my husband? Do you have to take my son's mandrakes too?" Rachel said, "Very well; in exchange for your son's mandrakes, sleep with him tonight."

16 When Ya'akov came in from the field in the evening, Le'ah went out to meet him and said, "You have to come and sleep with me, because I've hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Ya'akov slept with her that night. 17 God listened to Le'ah, and she conceived and bore Ya'akov a fifth son. 18 Le'ah said, "God has given me my hire, because I gave my slave-girl to my husband." So she called him Yissakhar [hire, reward].

19 Le'ah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Ya'akov. 20 Le'ah said, "God has given me a wonderful gift. Now at last my husband will live with me, since I have borne him six sons." And she called him Z'vulun [living together]. 21 After this, she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah [controversy over rights]. 22 Then God took note of Rachel, heeded her prayer and made her fertile. 23 She conceived, had a son and said, "God has taken away my disgrace." 24 She called him Yosef [may he add], saying, "May ADONAI add to me another son."

The only "Tribe" missing is Binyamin, whom we meet when he is born, in next week's parashah (Genesis 35:18). Note that, while we see a daughter (Dinah) born to Leah, only the sons became known as the "Tribes" of Israel.

IN CLOSING, the above is just ONE example of the destructive “multiple wives” myth being perpetuated in the Hebrew Roots/Messianic circles. Jealousy is NOT a godly virtue (1 Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 5:26 ) but it absolutely cannot be avoided when husbands are sleeping with other women! (The same goes for women who commit adultery.) Relationships like that never end well. Not to mention, you cannot be “one flesh” with lots of people (Genesis 2:24).

End of story!

A humorous, yet on-point article about why so many seem to be destitute after just one month of no income…

I agree with the article below!  During this ridiculous government shutdown, I am truly bewildered by the fact that millions (many with seemingly GOOD jobs) are so broke that they already - after just one month - have to use food banks, because they have no money! It’s one thing to be truly poor, but quite another, to have so many people completely destitute after just one month of no income.

What’s going on?

Doesn't anybody believe in SAVING money anymore? Why can't people manage to save at least a little bit each month for emergencies such as this? It's not that hard, if you have a good job and manage your money properly (which is key!)...

That is why I believe the person who wrote this article below, hit the nail on the head, because way too many people are so deeply in debt BECAUSE they are into "instant gratification," wanting everything NOW, and not worrying about that huge and ever-mounting credit card debt that allows them to spend way much more than they make! I pray this will serve as an eye-opener for them, because the world is certainly NOT getting any better...

Please take a minute to read this well-written piece:

I’m so tired of hearing "Our grandparents could buy a house on one salary, but now we can’t even afford rent on two!”

Yeah, because Grandma wasn’t blowin’ half her paycheck on $12 iced coffee and avocado toast, that’s why!

Back then, if they wanted coffee, they made it at home. With grounds so strong it could remove rust. You didn’t drink it… you survived it.

And Grandma wasn’t out there “brunchin’.” You think she had time for brunch? No! She was at home, cooking something called whatever’s left in the house.

And don’t even bring up Uber Eats.

These people today are crying about money while living in a 4-bedroom house with two SUVs, six streaming services, and matching sleeve tattoos. You think Grandpa had a tattoo? Yeah it said “Korea, 1951.” And it came with nightmares, not realistic shading.

Oh, don’t even get me started on the kids. “We can’t make ends meet, but Brayden needs the new iPhone!” No, he doesn’t! You’re giving an $1100 phone to a kid who still eats glue and boogers.

When we were kids, the family phone hung on the wall. It had a cord long enough to jump rope with, and if you wanted privacy, you had to go stand in the pantry. And somehow, we survived.

And the TV? There was one. One.

It was in the living room, and Dad controlled it. If he wanted to watch bowling, guess what? You liked bowling.

Now every room’s got a 65-inch screen, the baby’s got an iPad, and you’re sitting there wondering why you can’t afford rent.

Because you’re living like rappers, that’s why!

Grandpa wasn’t out here leasing Teslas and buying $12 smoothies called “Detox Sunrise.” He was driving a truck that sounded like thunder and smelled like oil and cigarettes.

They lived within their means. Whatever Grandpa’s paycheck bought, that’s what they had. They didn’t try to keep up with the Joneses. They were just trying to keep the family fed and a roof over their heads.

So yeah, Grandpa could buy a house on one salary. But he also didn’t have 47 subscriptions and emotional-support crystals. He had one support system, Grandma, who told him to suck it up and mow the yard.

Now folks are broke, tired, and stressed… and it’s not because of inflation… it’s because y’all keep ordering tacos from DoorDash like you’re royalty.

Wake up and smell the truth!!"