, literally "and he sent", because it begins with Jacob sending
messengers to his brother Esau, telling him of his return to Canaan.
This week's portion begins with Jacob returning to Canaan. Jacob is fearful that Esau is still angry about his stealing the blessing of the first born, and sends messengers to his brother, hoping to please him. Jacob then hears that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men, and fears that Esau intends to fight him. He divides his party in two, hoping that this way at least part of his family will be saved if attacked, and prays to God. Jacob sends his shepherds out with many gifts for Esau, hoping that at least one of them will run into Esau and give him the gifts.
Jacob then takes his family across the Jabbok Ford. There, he encounters a man, apparently an angel, and wrestles with him until the morning. Jacob prevails, and then asks his opponent for a blessing. This is when his name is changed from Jacob to Israel.
In the morning, Jacob and Esau meet. While Jacob is fearful, Esau runs towards him and hugs and kisses him. Esau refuses to accept any gifts from his brother - he too is wealthy and wishes that his brother keep all that is his. Jacob insists and Esau accepts a gift, and wishes to travel with Jacob. However, Jacob is laden with the children and wives, and says they will meet up later. He then goes to live in Shechem.
In Shechem, Jacob's daughter Dinah gets involved with a local man, Shechem, the son of the regional prince, who apparently rapes her, and falls in love with her. He wishes to marry her, and he and his father suggest a treaty with Jacob's family and that they intermarry. Jacob's sons are furious about what happened, and deceive Shechem and his father. They agree to allow the marriage only if all the men of the city are circumcised. The Shechemites agree, and on the third day after the circumcision, which is the most painful day, Simeon and Levi kill all the men of the city and take a great deal of spoil. Jacob is furious because his sons have given him a bad name among the locals.
Jacob then takes his family to Bethel in order to sacrifice to God. On the way from Bethel, Rachel gives birth to Benjamin, and dies during labor. She is buried there, near Bethlehem.
The last of Jacob's troubles described in the portion are a short tale of how Reuben laid with Bilhah, his father's concubine.
The portion ends with a long list of the descendants of Esau.
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