VAYEITZEI

The Parashah of Vayeitzei (And [Yaakov] Departed) recounts Yaakov’s journey to Charan to find a wife among the daughters of Lavan, his mother Rivkah’s brother. The parashah spans over 20 years, detailing Yaakov’s marriages, children, and growing wealth, and concludes with his return to Eretz Yisrael.

Yaakov’s Dream: A Vision Of Jewish History

On his way to Charan, Yaakov has a dream:

“And behold, a ladder was set on the ground, and its top reached the heavens. Angels of G-d ascended and descended upon it. The L-rd stood above it and said, ‘I am the L-rd, G-d of Avraham your father and G-d of Yitzchak. The land upon which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth, spreading westward, eastward, northward, and southward. All the families of the earth shall be blessed through you and your descendants. Behold, I am with you. I will guard you wherever you go and will return you to this land, for I will not forsake you until I have fulfilled what I promised you’” (Bereishit 28:12-15).

Yaakov names the site Beit El (House of G-d) and declares it a place of awe and reverence.

The Midrash explains that this dream symbolized the history of the Jewish nation. Yaakov saw angels representing the nations that would dominate his descendants:

The angel of Babylon climbed 70 rungs, symbolizing the 70-year Babylonian exile.

Persia’s angel ascended 52 rungs, reflecting its 52 years of dominance.

Greece’s angel climbed 180 rungs, representing its years of control.

But the angel of Edom (Rome) rose higher and higher, with no visible end, representing the current exile, which continues to this day.

Yaakov, shaken by the vision of such a prolonged exile, was reassured by G-d’s promise: “I will be with you, and I will guard you wherever you go.” This promise was not only to Yaakov but to all his descendants.

The Well And The Stone

After the dream, Yaakov arrives in Charan, where he encounters a well covered by a heavy stone. He learns that local shepherds wait for everyone to gather to collectively move the stone. But when Rachel, Lavan’s daughter, arrives, Yaakov singlehandedly rolls the stone away and waters her sheep.

Why does the Torah include this episode?

Yaakov arrived in Charan with nothing. Unlike his grandfather Avraham, who sent gifts for Rivkah when seeking a wife for Yitzchak, Yaakov’s possessions were confiscated by Elifaz, Eisav’s son. Yet, despite his physical lack, Yaakov relied on faith. Seeing the miraculous strength G-d gave him to roll the stone alone, Yaakov understood: When G-d wills it, we are given strengths we could not have imagined.

This story reflects Yaakov’s unwavering faith. Though he came to Charan with nothing, he trusted that G-d would guide him, and indeed, G-d did.

Faith In Action

The parashah continues with Yaakov working seven years for Rachel, only to be deceived by Lavan and given Leah instead. Undeterred, Yaakov worked another seven years for Rachel. Over these years, most of his children were born, and his wealth grew.

When Lavan and his sons grew hostile toward him, G-d told Yaakov:

“Return to the land of your forefathers, and I will be with you” (Bereishit 31:3).

Yaakov left Charan with his family and possessions, once again demonstrating the unshakable faith that defined his journey.

Copyright© 2023 by The LaMaalot Foundation. Talks on the Torah, by Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber is catalogued at The Library of Congress. All rights reserved. Printed in China by Best Win Printing, Shenzhen, China.

By Rav Yitzchok Zilber ztk"l
Founder, Toldot Yeshurun