This Shabbat we study the Parshah Vayetze, meaning “And he left” (Genesis 28:10). On his way to Charan, Jacob falls asleep and dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels climbing and descending on it. While in Charan Jacob works for seven years with his uncle Laban, tending Laban’s sheep. Laban promises to give him Rachel, his younger daughter, at the end of the seven year’s time but deceives him on the wedding night, marrying him to the older daughter, Leah, instead. Jacob marries Rachel, too, a week later after agreeing to work another seven years for Laban. 

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Chabad.org

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This week's haftorah mentions Jacob's flight from home to the "field of Aram," an episode that is recounted in this week's Torah reading.

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The haftorah begins with the prophet Hosea's rebuke of the Jewish people for forsaking G-d. Nevertheless, Hosea assures the people that G-d will not abandon them: "How can I give you, Ephraim, and deliver you [to the hands of the nations]? . . . I will not act with My fierce anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim."

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The prophet discusses the misdeeds of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and the future degeneration of the Kingdom of Judea. He contrasts their behavior to that of their forefather Jacob who was faithful to G-d and prevailed against enemies, both human and angelic.

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The haftorah also makes mention of the ingathering of the exiles which will occur during the Final Redemption: "They shall hasten like a bird from Egypt and like a dove from the land of Assyria; and I will place them in their houses, says the Lord."

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Chabad.org

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Why must we have jobs? Why can’t our bread fall from heaven?It does. Everything you earn is manna from heaven. But you can't eat manna direct from heaven. Rather, that manna has to be converted, step by difficult step, from its heavenly state into an earthly form. It's final, most difficult step, to become a part of this physical world. And for that, you need a normal job in this physical world. Indeed, the job doesn’t create anything. It just provides packaging and delivery. To actually create the income, you need to work things out with heaven.

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Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

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Our sacred writings compare the relationship between G-d and Israel to that between a husband and wife. In the time of the galut (exile), Israel-the “wife”-suffers from spiritual poverty and deprivation: the Holy Temple, site of the Divine Presence, is destroyed; we have been exiled from our land. In a time like this, the special love and affection between Israel and G-d appears to be concealed and is not fully expressed in the open. Nonetheless, when the Almighty notes that even during such difficult times of affliction, the people of Israel steadfastly continue to strengthen themselves against all spiritual problems and obstacles to remain faithful to G-d, this evokes that “now my Husband will love me.”

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That love becomes manifest to the fullest extent. This, then, is the meaning of the verse cited: “G-d has seen my affliction”-G-d observes the people of Israel as they are in the galut; “for now”-when they continue the observance of Torah and mitzvot in spite of that affliction, “my Husband will love me”-the love of G-d for His people Israel will be fully restored and expressed in the full and imminent redemption.

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From an article by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet

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And Jacob lifted his feet and went on his way (Genesis 29:1). This verse from our Parshah tells of Jacob’s journey in his escape from the wrath of Esau. He was en route to Haran, where he would eventually establish his family and lay the foundations for the Jewish people. But why the curious language, “And Jacob lifted his feet”? Does the Torah really need to tell us that in order to move, we have to first lift our feet? Was he stuck in a swamp or something?

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Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom) told the story of how, as a young philosophy student at Cambridge, he traveled the world visiting great leaders. When he came to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe asked him what he was doing for the Jewish students at Cambridge. He began by saying, “In the circumstances I currently find myself . . .” whereupon the Rebbe interrupted him and said, “No one ‘finds himself’ in circumstances. We create our own circumstances.”

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Of course, there are times when we will find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control; but throughout life, we will find ample scope and opportunities to improve our own circumstances. G-d gives each of us our own unique qualities, talents and potential, and it is up to us to use and develop these gifts. Life is full of inspiring examples of individuals who have overcome disabilities and disadvantages of one kind or another. In the Jewish world, many have risen to prominence from the humblest beginnings. The Torah is the birthright of every Jew. We just have to go out and claim it.

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The words of our Parshah are quite deliberate and well-chosen after all. “Jacob lifted his feet and went on his way.” Some people follow their feet wherever they will take them. No matter the direction, they simply coast along, allowing their feet to lead them. Not so Jacob. He was master of his feet and master of his circumstances. He set his feet on the right road, and became master of his destiny.

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May we all be inspired to lift ourselves beyond our circumstances.

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From an article by Rabbi Yossy Goldman 

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