parshat Vayetze

Yaakov had two preparations for his life with Lavan – 14 years of study in the yeshiva of Shem and Ever, and the dream of the ladder. These helped him survive the period successfully. Although Yaakov already obtained the berachot that ensured his ultimate success, including financially, he was not satisfied. After all, fortune can cause its owner’s downfall (Kohelet 5:12). For a meaningful life of activity, he needed to be a talmid chacham, who could study in his free time in a significant way. He entered a life of intensive study in the ancient yeshiva. The beracha Yaakov received from his father was literally, “from the dew of the heaven and the fats of the land, and a multitude of grain and wine.” However, he understood it like the midrash – referring, respectively, to Tanach, Mishna, Talmud, and aggada (Bereishit Rabba 66:3). When Yaakov put in long hours on Lavan’s flock (see Bereishit 31:40), he contemplated Torah ideas while at work.

What is the secret of Yakov’s ability to survive all the ups and downs? How does he maintain his strength and his faith - by remembering his dream, and the fact that the angels are always there with him!

Yaakov is unique in spiritual stature and blessed with Divine visions and revelation, he is also essentially everyman. His actions are meant to be atemplate of attitude and behavior for his descendants and the people who bear his name.