A Ladder to Heaven: Vayeitzei.22

 A Ladder to Heaven

D’var Torah for Parashat Vayeitzei

November 29, 2022

By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman

This week’s Torah portion, Vayeitzei (“And [Jacob] Left,” Genesis 28:10—32:3) covers the middle part of Jacob’s life, from the time he leaves home until he begins his journey back again.

As with many of the stories of Genesis, this one too is structured beautifully. Vayeitzei contains symmetry of form, heroic deeds, love and jealousy (even elements of early anti-Semitism) and, at the end, reconciliation. 

Fleeing from his twin brother Esau, on Jacob’s first night away from the comforts of home, Jacob faces the grim reality of his new life. That night, however, sleeping with a rock for a pillow, he dreams of angels. It is the famous scene of Jacob’s Ladder, where God appears to Jacob, promising to be there for him throughout his journeys.

Jacob, however, is only partially impressed. “If,” he responds, “If God will be with me… then this stone, which I have placed as a monument, shall be a house of God” (Gen. 28:20-22). 

Unlike his father and grandfather before him, Jacob’s faith in God is riddled with doubt. He relies more on his own cunning and self-sufficiency. It will be a long time before he realizes the full meaning of God’s promise. 

In Laban’s house, despite being family and despite being given Laban’s daughters Leah and Rachel (along with their two maids) as wives, Jacob is treated as a servant. The competition between the two sisters for Jacob’s love will result in the birth of twelve children, and—not unexpectedly—quite a bit of family drama. Jacob’s success as shepherd for his father-in-law’s herds will make him rich, but it will also arouse jealousy and hatred. Realizing that he has overstayed his welcome, Jacob—urged by yet another vision of angels—decides to return home. Without telling Laban, Jacob tells Rachel and Leah that God has instructed him to leave. They agree, and the journey homeward begins. 

Jacob’s Ladder has become a familiar metaphor for finding meaning and purpose in life. In Jacob’s dream, the ladder extends from “the place” (Ha-Makom, a concept that in the Torah stands for God’s Presence) where he sleeps all the way up to the heavens. Representing hope as well as aspiration and ambition, for Jacob, it is about his growing relationship with God.  

For many of us, Jacob’s Ladder is symbolic of life itself. We progress, step by step, rung by rung; we grow from innocent childhood to adulthood and—hopefully—to wisdom and maturity. We make our way toward our goals, often stumbling and then rising again, relying on our cunning and self-sufficiency. But at some point, like Jacob, we learn just how important faith is. It’s faith that gives us the hope and strength we need to overcome the constant challenges of life. 

Without faith, we are nothing but a speck of dust in a meaningless universe. Allowing God’s Presence into our life gives us purpose and meaning. and imbues our fleeting time on Earth with eternal holiness.

© 2022 by Boaz D. Heilman