YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
So many explanations have been given for this vivid vision that I could not hope to name them all. But, it seems to me, the best idea is the simplest idea: The ladder represents the "ups and downs" in a person’s life.
This is a particularly appropriate metaphor for Yakov, for in his tumultuous life, he will experience the highest highs and the lowest lows that a human being can know. He will fall deeply in love with his beloved Rachel, working 14 years for her hand in marriage, but he will see her die young, in childbirth. He will raise the most magnificent family in our history – the 12 holy tribes of Israel – yet that very same family will be filled with intense jealousy and divisiveness, culminating with the kidnapping and sale of Yosef. Yakov will struggle mightily to return to Eretz Yisrael, where he knows a Jew must live, yet will descend again into exile, spending the last 17 years of his life in depraved Egypt.
Of course, what happens to Yakov is not just his own personal struggle, but is exactly parallel to what will occur to his future descendants, Am Yisrael, the Jewish People. We, too, will undergo the depths of suffering and degradation, as well as the most cosmic of "highs." Our nation will be decimated by countless wanderings, pogroms and Holocausts, yet we will also produce the brightest minds in the universe, embody the timeless treasure of the Torah, and eventually return in glory to the modern, magnificent State of Israel.
In short, we would perfectly represent the blessing that was given by Hashem to the Avot, that we would be "like the dust of the earth, and the stars of the heavens." At times, we find ourselves as low as the dust, trampled upon by others; yet at other times we shine like the brightest star in the sky, everyone "looking up to us" with envy and respect.
What is the secret of Yakov’s ability to survive all these ups and downs? How does he maintain his strength and his faith; how does he manage to keep his equilibrium while on this wild roller-coaster of an existence?
I suggest it is by remembering his dream, and the fact that the angels are always there with him, whether he is in a downward spiral, or buoyantly ascendant. He knows that G-d is there, by his side, accompanying him and watching over him. And that knowledge - that he never goes it alone - helps Yakov - and us! – keep going, step-by-step, towards our dream.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.