Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Rachel and Jacob at the Well


Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the Easterners.  There before his eyes was a well in the open.  Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for the flocks were watered from that well.   ---Genesis 29:1~2
Well, yes,
more drawing and  talk of wells.

How are you , are you well?
Yes, I`m well.

I made a fun and exciting `Shalom` discovery when reading this week`s Parsha Va-yetse  ,  that in Hebrew the word `Shalom` appears  twice  for the words `well` and `well` in one of the dialogues in Genesis 29:6. Not in the case of the `water well` but in the case where the word `well` is used in the sense above, as in `are you well?`

The Hebrew writing in the drawing is from Genesis 29:6, where Jacob meets Rachel.   First Jacob inquires about his relatives and how the family is.  And in the very same line, we meet Rachel.

The verse goes like this:

וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם, הֲשָׁלוֹם לוֹ; וַיֹּאמְרוּ שָׁלוֹם--וְהִנֵּה רָחֵל בִּתּוֹ, בָּאָה עִם-הַצֹּאן. 6

And he said unto them: 'Is it well with him?' And they said: 'It is well; and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.' 

I highlighted in blue to show how in Hebrew the word `Shalom` in the place of both `wells`

Hence in the drawing, I drew the word Shalom in the Well and Shalom in the sky,
I put twelve sheep in the drawing,  and do you know why?

Because there at the well was a meeting between Rachel and Jacob.
You might say that meeting went well.  Jacob moved the big rock off the well, and then everything flowed from there,
he watered the flock.

Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and broke into tears.   ---Genesis 29:11

Saw Rachel, and gave her A kiss at first sight,
and you know what happens in the pages after that,
12 sons were born , who became the 12 tribes of Israel (Jacob`s name was changed to Israel in the next Parsha)
Of course, other wives were involved who mothered the sons,
but here at the well
it all was begun!!

PS note:  speaking of Shalom, if you haven`t yet entered the first Challah and Cherry Blossoms giveaway, please read the end of the post below and enter! Up until Dec. 3, and be eligible to win a book, Shalom in the Psalms!   

PSS  did you notice Rachel`s dress? I gave her a dress that  is yellow with a pattern of pink cherry blossoms! 

PSS I hope that even those who don`t read Hebrew, that you are starting to recognize the word `Shalom` even in the Hebrew letters!!! Wishing you well!

Blessings and Shalom   ♡  Shayndel

5 comments:

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  2. I love your retelling of this story between Jacob and Rachel and your illustration is so perfect too. That's a great detail on Rachel's dress which I admit I didn't catch until I read the fullness of your text. Shalom xx

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  3. Thank you Joyful! One of the things wonderful is that each of us can put ourselves in the stories of the Torah and learn from them in our lives. Thanks for reading all the post, and that you could see the cherry blossoms ! Enjoy your week, and a blessed Shabbat Shalom (Sabbath Peace to you).♡

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  4. The drawing of the meeting between Rachel and Jacob at the well is superb! All the elements appear to be in perfect harmony: the sheep, the cherry blossoms on the dress, the word Shalom in hebrew, the blue color of the water.
    You should publish a book with your bible drawings.

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    1. Thanks, wow Duta, I would love to do that! Please pray with me towards that! I actually have been thinking about it, and my vision also is to include Japanese (bi-lingual) to introduce the stories here, as well as share a personal vision of the Japanese elements like cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji appearing with the Hebrew themes, as I first started studying the Torah here in Japan!! God Bless you. Thank you always for your encouragements!

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