Wrestling for a Blessing

Parashat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:3-36:43)

When Jacob and his family were leaving Laban in Paddan-aram and heading back to Canaan, Jacob began preparing for the inevitable. He would undoubtedly have a run-in with his brother Esau once they got nearer to home. Although twenty years had passed since he left with Esau’s birthright, Jacob was preparing his family for their encounter with his brother. He prayed to the Almighty, “Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children” (Genesis 32:11). He knew that, although time and distance were between them, there was no guarantee that Esau would allow bygones to be bygones. He seriously believed that Esau might attempt to exterminate his entire family, so he devised a plan for the survival of at least some of them. They traveled in small caravans with distance in between each group so that if Esau attacked one, then the others would have time to flee. Needless to say, Jacob was not looking forward to a reunion with his brother.

After sending the last of his family off, Jacob remained behind alone, evidently to spend the night before heading out himself the next morning. The Torah tells us that during the night, however, “a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day” (Genesis 32:24). Much has been written to explain what exactly took place that night. Who was this mysterious figure that wrestled Jacob throughout the night? Was it an angel? Was it a demon? Was it Esau or someone representing him? 

Stairway To Heaven

Parashat Vayeitze (Genesis 28:10-32:2)

This week’s Torah portion begins with one of the most mysterious and little-understood events recorded in the Torah. When Jacob spent the night in what he later calls Beit-El he had a curious dream charged with spiritual import:

And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! (Genesis 28:11–12)

In Jacob’s dream he sees a ladder stretching from heaven to earth and on it angels were ascending and descending. Although he is puzzled by this imagery, Jacob realizes that is holds spiritual significance and determines that he has come to a place of holiness:

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:16–17)

Because of what he had seen in his dream Jacob calls the place Beth-El, or the “House of God.” He declares that not only is it the House of God, but that it is some sort of portal between heaven and earth where angels are able to come and go from one realm to the other. From this we can see the importance of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. While it stood it, the “House of God” functioned as the “gate of heaven” connecting heaven and earth.