Vayishlach or Vayishlah is the eighth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. In the parashah, Jacob reconciles with Esau after wrestling with a "man." The prince Shechem rapes Dinah, whose brothers sack the city of Shechem in revenge. In the family's subsequent flight, Rachel gives birth to Benjamin and dies in childbirth.
Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1855 illustration by Gustave Doré)
Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1865 painting by Alexander Louis Leloir)
Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1659 painting by Rembrandt)
The Reunion of Jacob and Esau (1844 painting by Francesco Hayez)
It is a custom among religious Jewish & Messianic communities for a weekly Torah portion to be read during Jewish prayer services on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The full name, Parashat HaShavua, is popularly abbreviated to parashah, and is also known as a Sidra or Sedra.
A Torah scroll and silver pointer (yad) used in reading.