Kitah Dalet has been studying in depth parshat Vayishlach, working hard at improving their textual skills and enhancing their understanding of the story and themes of Sefer Bereishit through the study of Rashi and classroom discussions. Recently, students have been focused on Yaakov Avinu’s encounter with his brother Esav. Observing Yaakov’s success, Esav decides he wants to live with him and his family. Yaakov looks back in his family history, to his grandfather Avraham who was in a similar situation with his nephew Lot. Avraham ultimately decides to part ways with Lot as he is worried about the negative influence Lot would have on him and his family. Taking this lesson from Avraham, Yaakov also decides to not allow Esav to stay with his family due to similar concerns. Students analyzed how Yaakov’s actions are shaped by the actions of his grandfather and looked at the deeper message that the stories of Sefer Bereishit are a model for all of us and how it should shape our lives—“maaseh avot siman l’banim.”