On Dreams And Reality
The rabbinic understanding of Jacob's ladder as symbolic of the altar or Sinai provides us with imagery and metaphors for enhancing our spiritual lives
And he dreamed and behold a ladder stationed on the earth and its top reaches the sky, and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold God stands above it … (Genesis 28:12-13)
a summary of the portion
Jacob flees to his uncle Laban's household and lives there for several years, marrying Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel, and building a large family.
On his way to his uncle Laban's, Jacob dreams of a ladder that stretches up from earth to heaven. There are angels of God ascending and descending the ladder.
God stands behind Jacob and says, "I am God, the God of your father Abraham and the God of your father Isaac. I will give to you and your seed the land where you are sleeping. And your seed will be as dust of the earth and spread in all directions, and through you will all the families on earth be blessed. I am with you and will guard you. I will not leave you until I have accomplished what I have promised
a summary of the haftarah "
Ashkenazic Custom: Hosea 12:13-14:10
Sephardic Custom: Hosea 11:7-13:5
Sephardic Custom: Hosea 11:7-13:5
This week's parashah tells of Jacob fleeing his home and agreeing to work for seven years for the right to marry Rachel. Haftarah Vayetze begins with an allusion to this event.
Hosea mentions this part of Jacob's life story as he speaks about the sinful ways of Jacob's descendents--the northern tribes of Israel, which he refers to by the name of one major tribe, "Ephraim." Add: Joel 2:26-27
No comments:
Post a Comment