Yaakov's Ladder Dream

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1. Yaakov's Dream

   Dr. Zvi Shimon

   תאריך פרסום: תשעב | |

   This paper wishes to demonstrate the interconnectedness between the patriarchal narratives and the primeval history (Breishit 1-11). The paper does so by elaborating upon the postulated analogy between the narrative of Yaakov's Dream at Bethel and the Tower of Babel narrative. The findings of this paper offer a deeper understanding of underlying themes running throughout Humash Bereishit and the pivotal role of the Bethel dream narrative in its larger narrative context.

2. Yaakov's Ladder

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   When Yaakov departs for Haran, God appears to him in a dream and makes several promises. Yaakov is hesitant about the fulfillment of one of the promises, and makes a vow for reinforcement. Why was Yaakov unsure? How does the ladder in his dream relate to his fears?

3. Beit-El

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   How did Yaakov's ladder look? How was it structured, where did it stand, and where was the middle of the ladder?

4. Angels and Ladders

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutes

   When Yaakov embarks on his journey of exile to escape Esav’s wrath, he falls asleep and dreams of angels and a ladder, followed by God’s revelation to him. Yaakov immediately realizes that the dream and the location are significant, but do we? This shiur uses traditional parshanut and knowledge of the Ancient Near East to analyze the significance of the angels in Yaakov’s dream.

5. He Who Answered Yaakov at Beit El

   HaTanakh.com Staff

6. Three Different Blessings

   Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot

   This shiur examines the three blessings that Yaakov receives: From Yitzhak when he impersonates Esav, from Yitzhak when he leaves for Haran, and from God in the ladder dream. What is the significance of each of these separate blessings?

   Through an examination of these blessings, we learn that they continue the blessings to Avraham, and particularly the two covenants: the Covenant Between the Parts, and the Covenant of Circumcision.  The general significance of this understanding is that the blessing and selection of Avraham are passed on in their entirety, with all their components, to Yaakov.  And each blessing relates to a different one of God's Names, since each Divine Name reflects a different aspect of Divine manifestation in the world.

7. There and Back Again:The Exilic Journeys and Sojourns of Vayetze

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   Parashat Vayetze is unique in that it consists of a single Masoretic parasha, i.e., one paragraph of 148 uninterrupted consecutive verses. Though Masoretic division of the parashiyot is based on sundry reasons, not all of which are always clear, it sometimes indicates a literary unity. It appears that this is the case with our parasha: Parashat Vayetze is all one long story. What is the significance of this? By dividing the narrative into two parts and exploring each section we can learn important lessons about Yaakov's life in Haran and his relationship with Lavan. 

8. Of Angels, Pillars and Brothers

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

   The end of the Parshat Vayetzeh contains significant motifs that parallel the beginning of the parsha. This structure highlights a contrast between Yaakov at the beginning of the Parsha and the person he becomes at the end. Yaakov’s interaction with Lavan shows him the problematic road which he had been following. By the end of the process, Yaakov separates himself physically and psychologically from Lavan.

9. The Dream of the Ladder

   Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot

   This shiur compares God's promises to Yaakov in his dream, to Yaakov's oath in response to the dream. It seems that Yaakov fails to make the connection between the individual promise and the general one. His oath is that of a man in trouble, who prays for deliverance and for success on his way.  

   Yaakov's deviations from God's promises obviously arouse our surprise: why does Yaakov have a problem with accepting the Divine promise in full? Even more problematically – why does Yaakov need to make a promise, given to him directly from God by prophecy, into a conditional oath? Clearly, a person who is in trouble promises to bring a sacrifice, etc., because he cannot be assured of God's help. But surely someone who has received God's word has no need for all of this?!

   It seems that these questions require that we re-think the essence of Yaakov's dream. By fulfilling his promise and oath, Yaakov makes God – for all future generations – not only the God of the Land of Israel, but also the God of Am Yisrael, wherever they may find themselves.

10. The Ladder and the Well - Yaakov's Journey to Haran

    Dr. Yonatan Feintuch | 53 minutes

    The book of Bereishit tells of Yaakov's journey to Haran. In chapters 27-28 we learn about the different motivations that drove Jacob to Haran, which may be regarded as two different aspects of the same journey. However, literary analysis of the chapters reveals a fascinating literary interplay between events that supposedly belong to separate aspects of the journey. This shiur compares and contrasts these aspects of Yaakov's journey and examines the interaction between them.  These chapters have a broad impact on the  way in which the Torah tries to paint the life, character and destiny of Yaakov.

11. Yaakov and the Ladder - Standing Firmly and Resiliently

    Rabbi David Silverberg

12. Shadal on Yaakov's Night in Beit El

    Rabbi David Silverberg

13. Parshat Vayetze Part 1: Jacob's Ladder

    Debra Geller | 29 minutes

    Upon leaving Be’er Sheva, Yaakov encounters two seemingly unrelated incidents- the dream of the ladder in Beit El, and meeting Rachel at the well. Through an examination of the text and focusing on the key words of the perek we can notice that these incidents are both instrumental in forming Yaakov’s character.  

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

14. How Awesome Is This Place! Where Was It That Jacob Became Awestruck?

    Rabbi Shalom Berger | Hour and 3 minutes

    Although the Torah makes it clear that Jacob's vision takes place in Bet El/Luz, Rashi - based on midrashim - suggests various ways to place the vision in Jerusalem. In this class we discuss the textual challenges that encourage the midrashim to break with the simple reading of the text and analyze the recurring use of the expression "HaMakom" - The Place - in Jacob's story. The analysis is largely based on understanding "the Place that God will choose" as the location where many commandments are to be performed, as taught in Sefer Devarim. Ultimately we will examine the need that human beings have to commune with God in a specific place, and whether we can conceive of God being limited in such a way.

    Click here for a downloadable audio version of this lecture