Friends of Itamar

Leah’s Blog Parashat Vayetzeh 2025

Vayetzeh – Leah’s Blog – November 2025

The end of autumn is painted with colors, the end of the day – gold and apricot horizon glinting off the west behind the mountains, a sliver of moon peaks behind the clouds. Just above us, the deepening blue twilight sky. There was evening and there was morning. A new day now, the feeling of breeze sometimes turns to windy and today there is thunder and lighting, enormous rain pours down. The garden here feels content, purple popping out of the lavender plants. The end of autumn is always a time of color which coincides with the stories of our Matriarchs whose stories of vibrancy and rich persona paint my imagination and also hold a soft gauzy texture. I want to hug them, each for their own virtue. Stepping towards me, off the side of this mountain they walked, stooping down to see where the dudaim grow .Then and now blend into one.

Sarah was a beautiful woman- nothing is specific of what she adorned herself with- she carried a light that shined like the Temple Menorah; the source of her beauty- extending to others in need, and never gave up hope, remaining young and birthing life at 99.

Rivkah had dazzling jewelry gifted to her- gold bangles and nose rings to mention some- she guided Ya’akov to his destiny- a true mashpiah, prophesizing the future of Israel. Both Sarah and Rivkah were defiant in what they wanted for their sons; husbands and sons took their orders.

A GOOD MOTHER PUTS DOWN THE LINE.

Now for the prism- they appear transparent at first and directed to their actions by others- The prism separates white light into the colors of the rainbow- Rachel and Leah bend reality as each wavelength of the story line curves to a different angle- they are two entities that create the united tribes of Israel:

THE FOUNDATIONAL STORIES ARE THE CLEAN SLATE. THE PICTURE IS PAINTED AND OUR GUIDE TO MOTHERHOOD: A PERFECT BALANCE OF CHESED AND GEVURAH.

Rachel and Leah- a story of infatuation ,beauty devotion and love. A first crush, the other, of hidden innermost secrets to be revealed. The dimensions of these stories, the characters, all colors of motivation of mind and heart take place in the background of white sheep, white veil, white silk slippers in the white house ( the house of Lavan)- all seemingly void of color. Like a paintbrush on a clean white page, they swirl in their stories, creating  messeges that go beyond the physical appearance. Singing, dancing, giving, playing music: Our family was born and lives today.

The seeds that our matriarchs planted sprouted into our nation, into me. I strive for harmony- no outside static will take that mission from my life.

Rachel birthed Yosef who wore the coat of many colors. Judah, the King, born to Leah wore the color of the light blue infinite sky.

The tapestry of the curtains of the Temple- all interwoven threads of many colors- the texture that was and intension of what will be.

A Divine Promise- the colors of the breastplate.

As the night of our exile ends, the new day rises – Israel is re-born in color.

DEDICATED TO THE ELEVENTH YARTZEIT OF MY BELOVED MOM, Charlotte Krantz צרנה חנה בת אלבינה

Blessings to all of our dear Friends of Itamar, xoxoxoxoxo Leah