Jacob, with his parents’ blessings and encouragement, leaves Be’er Sheva to travel...

 

Jacob, with his parents’ blessings and encouragement, leaves Be’er Sheva to travel, alone, to reside with his uncle, Laban, and his family. Welcome to Parshat VaYetze.

Try to imagine his state of mind and spirit, alone, on the mountainous trails to Haran (south western Turkey today). It is in his aloneness or loneliness that he realizes who he is, experiences his relationship with the All-Oneness of the universe and contemplates the meaning of his past, present and future. He has a profound dream where he sees angels ascending and descending on a ladder. The ladder is planted in the ground. He hears the voice of the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. God is mentioned twice because each of Jacob's ancestors had their own understanding of God, Now he hears the call, the promise of his future and the future of his descendants.

Today, we are being addressed as well. But do we hear? Do we see the Sulam (ladder) of life? So many of us have become aware of our aloneness, and loneliness, in these times of uncertainty. How do we integrate the past, the present and move wholly and wholesomely toward the future?

Imagine Jacob, alienated from his brother, separated from his mother and father and the land of his birth. The future is unknown. He is now responsible for his own future. Mysteriously and miraculously, he finds the faith to continue the journey. Isn’t this where we are at today, personally and as humankind? Will we be fortunate to find ourselves, as Jacob did, and find faith, strength and meaning with the Ground of our being? May our inner-angels ascend.

Once Jacob reaches Haran, we see him standing at the well where he rolls away the stone to uncover the well. Perhaps it is the well of wisdom, chesed, life and love.

See you at the well!

Reb David