This Shabbat we study the Parsha Vayetze, meaning “And he left” (Genesis 28:10). Jacob leaves his hometown of Beersheba and journeys to Charan. On the way, he dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels climbing and descending on it. G-d appears and promises that the land upon which he lies will be given to his descendants. In the morning, Jacob raises the stone on which he laid his head as an altar and monument, pledging that it will be made the house of G-d.

‍

The Parsha also tells of Jacob’s stay with his uncle Laban, in Charon; where Jacob works for him tending sheep. Jacob loves Laban’s daughter Rachel, and Laban promises him Rachel’s hand in marriage but substitutes her sister Leah instead, on the wedding night. Later, Jacob marries Rachel as well.

‍

From an article in Chabad.org

‍

Many people are discouraged from even beginning a spiritual journey because they think it needs that huge leap of faith. They cannot see themselves reaching a degree of religious commitment which to them seems otherworldly. And yet, with the gradual step-by-step approach, one finds that the journey can be embarked upon and that the destination aspired to is actually not in outer space.

When my father was in yeshiva, his teacher once asked the following question: “;If two people are on a ladder, one at the top and one on the bottom, who is higher?” The class thought it was a pretty dumb question — until the wise teacher explained that they were not really capable of judging who was higher or lower until they first ascertained in which direction each was headed.

‍

If the fellow on top was going down, but the guy on the bottom was going up, then conceptually, the one on the bottom was actually higher. And so my friends, it doesn’t really matter what your starting point is or where you are at on the ladder of religious life. As long as you are moving in the right direction, as long as you are going up, you will, please G-d, succeed in climbing the heavenly heights.

‍

Wishing you a safe and successful journey.

‍

From an article by Rabbi Yossy Goldman

‍

Just who are the oppressors of which you are victim? People? Institutions? The Laws of Nature? They are but tools in the hand of their Master. Or are you the victim of your own Creator? The Designer of this cosmos does not contrive schemes to undermine His own creations. He knows us as He knows Himself; He sees His world from our eyes; He is our life and our essence. When He makes demands of us, He meets us on our own ground, not according to His unlimited power, but finely measured to the capacity He has hidden within us.

‍

There are times when you compare the burden on your shoulders to the strengths you know you have, and it seems impossible. But He knows better the hidden powers of your soul. And He has faith in them. For He is there within them.

‍

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

‍

This verse may be said to allude to the Messianic era when “the Land of Israel will extend over all the countries [of the world]” (Sifre, Devarim 1)…In practical terms, this verse teaches us that in our present days we have to serve Gd in a manner of ufaratzta-that is, without any restrictions and limitations, in the sense of “You shall love G-d ... with all your might” (Va’etchanan 6:5). Thus we shall hasten the coming of  Moshiach , of whom it is said: “The poretz (the one who breaks through; i.e., the one who clears all obstacles and barriers) is gone up before them” (Michah 2:13)

‍

From an article by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet

‍

I remember the moments after my first child was born. As I cuddled my daughter in my arms, so close to me, I was overcome with parental protectiveness. I remember thinking that I would always hold her so close, secure in the warmth of my embrace, safeguarded from the trials of life. I would forever shield her innocence and spare her from the coldness and negativity of this world.

‍

I had the same thought with the subsequent birth of each of my children. Fierce, maternal emotions that I never knew I had were born as I held the innocent, helpless new life. But, of course, try as we do, and as much as we would like, these thoughts are wishful thinking. Our children grow up and encounter the challenges of this world. As painful as it sometimes is to let them go, only in confronting the “real world” do they develop their own individuality and grow to become their greatest selves.

‍

This week’s parshah begins with the word Vayeitzei, “he went out,” and embodies the message of this portion. Jacob went out from Be’er Sheva, and he went to Charan (Genesis 28:10)

‍

In order for Jacob to become the patriarch of the Jewish people, he had to “go out,” to leave the haven of an insular life, as well as the material and spiritual comforts of his home, and face the challenges of a hostile world.

Jacob leaves the spiritual idyll of Be’er Sheva in the Holy land to travel to Charan. Be’er Sheva literally means the “well of seven” and metaphorically refers to the seven Divine attributes of the soul. Charan literally means “wrath,” and was a place of lies, deception, struggle and manipulation. In the materialistic, contentious land of Charan, Jacob marries and fathers the tribes of Israel.

‍

Jacob’s journey reflects the journey of all of our lives. A newborn baby’s soul cries bitterly as it descends from its cozy, spiritual home to face a harsh, combative world, antagonistic of all things that the soul knew, loved and was comforted by. Yet, in facing the many challenges and in staying strong to its values, the soul finds its mission and raison d’etre. 

‍

“To Charan” is indicated by the Hebrew letter hey suffixed to the word Charan. Hey is the second letter of the Tetragrammaton (the name of Gd) through which G-d created our physical world (Menachot 29b). No matter in which city or country we currently live, we are all citizens of Charan. Each day, we face the challenges of our Charan life. And, as much as we want to protect ourselves and our children from the ravages of our world, it is precisely here that each of us fulfills the purpose for which our world was created. 

‍

To help make our world a better place—a home and haven for Gd.

‍

Chana Weisberg

‍