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Genesis
28:10-32:3
HafTorah: Hosea
12:13-14:10
John 1:43-51
Jacob departs from Beersheba towards Haran in
order to search for a bride. He stopped at “that place,” took a nap and
laid his head on a rock. Through the vision of Jacob’s ladder with angels
ascending and descending on a ladder above him, G-d reconfirms the
physical and spiritual blessings given to Abraham and Isaac regarding
inheritance of the land and that their offspring will be a blessing to all
the families of the earth.
According to Rabbis, there are really angels
that go with us to protect our way. There are angels outside of the Land
and in the Land G-d has chosen. Hebrews 1:14: Are not all angels
ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation!?
Thoughts regarding Jacobs dream:
G-d is accessible
and not far away. Any spot on earth is a gateway to Heaven and there is
open communication with G-d.
John 1:50-51:
Nathaniel by the fig tree-one can gain access to G-d, if only he will
believe.
After Jacob wakes, he set up a pillar and
called the place Beth El, and continued on to Haran.
He sees Rachel, Laban’s daughter, helps her and
is welcomed by Laban. Laban offers Jacob the “seven year plan!” Work for
seven years and receive Rachel for his wife. He worked for seven years
and received Leah!
This is why the Bedeken Ceremony was developed
into the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony. The groom unveils the bride in
a private ceremony before the actual wedding vows are taken.
Jacob was committed to work seven more years
for Rachel. During this time he had thirteen children. In chronological
order:
From Leah:
Reuben “to see”
Simon “to hear”
Levi “my heart”
Judah “to praise the L-rd”
From Zilpah, Leah’s maid servant:
Issachar “there is reward”
Zebulon “bridegroom gift”
From Leah, Jacobs only daughter:
Deana
From Zilpah:
Gad “good fortune”
Asher “to be happy”
From Bilha, Rachel’s maid servant who was given
to Jacob because of Rachel’s sadness and anger at being barren:
Dan “judgment”
Naftali “twisted/wrestling”
Finally from Rachel:
Joseph “he added”
Benjamin “son of my right hand”
Benjamin was the only “sabra,” born
in the “land.”
Jacob prepared to leave Laban to go home!
Again, Laban set out to try to deceive Jacob. G-d, however, blesses
Jacob’s efforts. He left Laban with his children, his wives, his herds
and all of his own possessions. He also left with Laban’s family idols
that Rachel had taken. (31:19)
Laban followed, but did not find the family
idols. After having a dream where G-d told him not to harm Jacob, Laban
blesses Jacob and his family.
The angels of G-d met Jacob to guide him into
the Promised Land.
HOSEA 12:13 is the connection between the Torah
portion and the HafTorah portion. G-d’s people are in sin. Ephraim is
guilty. Judah is faithful at first, but then is guilty of falling into
sin.
These scriptures relate to the building of a
family. Some in the family were zealots such as Simon and Levy who
murdered an entire tribe in revenge of their sister Deana’s rape. Some
were apathetic, such as the other brothers who did nothing to defend their
family.
Today there are also zealots who want to
destroy instead of build. We also have those who are apathetic and don’t
care about any people, but are self oriented and apathetic. There are
those who have assimilated into the culture around them. They have no
relationship with G-d, no religious training, no vision, and are becoming
a part of the secular society around them.
Our job is to pass on the Word to a lost and
dying world. We must be attentive to G-d’s Spirit. We must be faithful to
G-d as we bring the Word of repentance to this assimilated world.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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