Why does Yaakov journey to Beit El? Why does he receive the promise of the land there again? What is the connection between the two revelations at Beit El? A close examination of the narrative reveals that the purpose of the second revelation is to remind us of the earlier one, which has been continued now as though there were no interruption, and that is why Yaakov reconfirms the name of the place. The whole purpose of the story is to bring us, literally, to the point where we left off at the beginning of Parashat Toldot. We are back at "the place He spoke to him."

Beit El
Altar in Beit El
Yaakov - leaves Shechem goes to Bethel
Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion