Marc Chagall “Jacob’s Ladder” 1973, wikiart.org | Marc Chagall Fair Use
In this week’s Torah portion “VaYetzey” we find Jacob, essentially banished from his home and family, on the run from his enraged twin brother (after deceiving him into giving up his birthright) and on an uncertain path. Unlike Esau, Jacob is not an outdoors guy, not a fearless, skilled hunter or one who is comfortable in the wild. Jacob, the Torah indicates, is “ish tam yo-shev o-ha-lim,“ “a mild man who dwelled in tents” (something of a homebody) and he is, in this moment, completely out of his element. He is alone and on his own for the first time. Tired and afraid, he falls asleep on a pile of rocks in the barren desert and dreams of a ladder- a stairway leading from earth to heaven. Lo and behold, there are angels ascending and descending on that stairway. Not only that, but God in all God’s glory is right there too beside Jacob. In case Jacob didn’t fully take in the blessing his father Isaac gave him on his death bed, God gives Jacob the blessing once again, with just a few adjustments-
“I, the Eternal am the God of your father Abraham and God of Isaac: the land on which you are lying I will give to you and to your descendants…Through you and your descendants all the families of the earth will find blessing. And here I am with you: I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this soil. I will not let go of you as long as I have yet to do what I have promised you.”
Jacob wakes up and exclaims-
“Truly, the Eternal was in this place and I did not know it! How awesome is this place. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Isn’t it often so, that exactly in the darkest of moments, a sliver of light suddenly appears and an unexpected gift is revealed? Isn’t it true that often, when we feel especially lost, confused, alone, hopeless, a door opens, a helpful friend or stranger shows up, and we are instantly able to see the way forward. A wise friend of mine once said, “people often give up just before the miracle happens.” Jacob could have given up after the rift with his brother, after having to leave behind everything he has ever known, but he did not. He ventured forth to Haran where he met the beautiful Rachel who he later married, worked and contributed to society, became a father, and then ultimately returned home to make peace with his brother. The blessing he received was so much greater than he could have imagined. The journey he was on, allowed for his incredible transformation from Jacob to Israel, and becoming the father of a great nation.
May we all be blessed with courage and faith in both the dark and light times as we journey on in life, and may we always know that God is there, in every place, wherever we go and very often accompanied by a helpful angel or two.
In song and in faith,
Cantor Rita
