Parshas Vayeitzei for Kids

פרשת ויצא

Alone on the road with a stone for a pillow, Yaakov dreams of a ladder reaching to shamayim. He works seven years for Rachel, then seven more, and leaves Lavan's house with a family and flocks of his own.

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What happens in Parshas Vayeitzei

Yaakov Avinu leaves Be'er Sheva and travels toward Charan. When night falls he gathers stones around his head and lies down to sleep, and Rashi says the stones each wanted the tzaddik to rest on them, so Hashem made them into one. Yaakov dreams of a ladder reaching up to shamayim with malachim going up and down, and Hashem promises to protect him and bring him home. When he wakes he says, surely Hashem is in this place.

At a well near Charan, Yaakov rolls the heavy stone off by himself and waters the sheep of his cousin Rachel. He works seven years for Lavan to marry her, and the Torah says they seemed to him like just a few days. Lavan gives him Leah instead, and Chazal tell us Rachel shared her secret signs with her sister so Leah would not be embarrassed. Yaakov marries Rachel too, and his family grows; when Leah's fourth son is born she names him Yehudah, saying, this time I will thank Hashem. After twenty years Yaakov returns home.

Lessons and middos for children

  • Hakaras hatov

    Leah named her son Yehudah to thank Hashem. We can notice the good things we have and say thank you.

  • Sensitivity to others

    Rachel made sure her sister would not feel embarrassed. We are careful never to make someone feel bad in front of others.

  • Hard work and honesty

    Yaakov worked for Lavan faithfully day and night. We do our jobs well and honestly, even when no one is watching.

Questions for the Shabbos table

  1. What did Yaakov see in his dream? What do you think the malachim were doing?
  2. Why do you think seven years felt like only a few days to Yaakov?
  3. Rachel helped Leah so she would not be embarrassed. How can you protect a friend's feelings?
  4. Leah named her son to thank Hashem. What would you like to thank Hashem for today?

How your child steps into the story

Your child is camped beside Yaakov Avinu on the night of the ladder dream, and is later at the well when he rolls the great stone away. The story ends as Yaakov's family packs up to head home, with a meeting with Eisav waiting on the road ahead.