Parashat Vayishlakh is named for the opening Hebrew indicating that Yaakov sent messengers with gifts to help ease the reunion with his brother Esav with whom he is unsure how he will be received. There is so much focus on the different types of cattle that it can be easy to miss that a male and female slave were included in the goods sent. By now, we are accustomed to cattle and slaves being an indication of wealth. I find myself wondering how customary it may have been to give slaves in this manner? After all, Bilhah and Zilpah were given as gifts by Lavan to his daughters. Why not between brothers? Would this have been different in a context that was not among close relatives? What was it like for the two enslaved people who were sent to Esav? Did they have family that remained with Yaakov? How did Bilhah and Zilpah and other enslaved people feel at seeing this exchange?
Like Vayeitzei’s going out was also significant for Bilhah and Zilpah, Vayishlakh can be read in their eyes too. In his lingering unease, Yaakov splits his camp and sends Bilhah, Zilpah, and their children out front. With Leah and her children in the middle, and Rachel and her child last. The Hebrew is not the same shoresh for send, using instead שׂוּם (shoom) to put. However, it is very much a choice that, in the event of Yaakov’s worst fear happening when he hears that Esav is heading toward him with 400 men, would send Bilhah, Zilpah, and their children to face a potentially tragic fate that would give Rachel and her child more chance to avoid, especially with the added buffer of Leah and her children.
This choice happens immediately after Yaakov has focused on his family, even if framed as his belongings, and wrestles with God. This line has inspired kashrut and much focus given its coinciding with the name God gives Yaakov, never mind that we rarely use it. I think there is room to see the wrestling as that of a father and a husband who is afraid, who does have different relationships with his wives… and his children because of their different relationships with those wives, and makes a revealing choice.
We know that Esav is delighted to see his brother Yaakov. Despite the warmth of this reunion, Yaakov chooses not to stay with his brother, but go off on his own. This brings us to the story of Dinah which can also be very interesting through the eyes of Bilhah and Zilpah. Seeing Dinah’s body being controlled by Shechem, and her fate determined by her brothers. Hearing of the dowry promised for Dinah, having received no dowry themselves. Potentially, serving as the dowry of Rachel and Leah. Whatever Bilhah and Zilpah’s relationship may have been with Dinah, I wonder how these moments were experienced by them? There is an invitation to consider how these three women may have supported each other through the absence of their voices during fates.
Reflection Questions:
• How do you read Yaakov’s choice to put Bilhah and Zilpah out front when the family meets Esav?
• How does putting Bilhah and Zilpah “out front” play out in modern situations?
• In what ways do we use different categorizations of people/community to create “buffers” between situations we are unsure of or perhaps even actively avoiding?
• We like to think of enslavement as structurally different than that of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade… what differences are there… what similarities?
• Where do you see possibilities for female solidarity that merit deeper reflection?
I hope you will join our continuing connection with Bilhah and Zilpah in our next event honoring their homecoming: Bilhah Zilpah Dreaming: Creative Play for Reclamation on Sunday December 3. We have some interactive embodiment play planned. You can still register for this event!
You can also join us for the third and final event in this series: Bilhah & Zilpah Drew Near: Listening for Torah Women’s Wisdom on Sunday December 17. We would love to study with you!
Meanwhile, look out for our next Bilhah Zilpah Project email on Sunday December 3. And, if you missed it, check out the Vayeitzei reflections…
We see you Bilhah & Zilpah!
Jews of Color Sanctuary 