It was Hoshana Rabbah, the exalted final night of Sukkot. Past midnight in Los Angeles, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring—except me, wide awake, watching history in the making. Glued to the live news, as the leader of the free world was about to land at Ben Gurion Airport to herald the release of all living hostages that we prayed for two years straight. The moment we were waiting for.

I watched Air Force One majestically touch ground. The red carpet rolled out. Mic stands ready. I felt like I was there. I had goosebumps. The door hatch was just about to pop open. Any second now…then:

“Daaaaaaadddddy!!!!!!!!!”

One of our kids cried from upstairs. They had thrown up all over the place. My night experiencing history was…history.

I ran up, scrubbed the floors, did the laundry, settled the kid down. By the time I came back down an hour later, the moment had passed. The speeches were over. I’d missed all the action.

Or had I?

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The Book of Genesis does something which, to my knowledge, no other religious text does: It is disproportionately interested in the mundane family lives of its main characters.

This week’s portion, Vayeitzei, is one of the best examples. Nearly the entire narrative focuses on Jacob’s family and career formation. Falling in love. Complex marriages. A toxic boss who awkwardly also happens to be his father-in-law (twice over). Infertility. Kids with behavioral issues. Salary negotiations. Making partner. Social........

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