Vayeitzei – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

“And he dreamt, and behold! A ladder was set earthward and its top reached heavenward.” (28:12)

It is interesting to note that the vision of a ladder whose legs are on the ground, while the top reaches the heavens, occurred only to Yaakov and not to the preceding Patriarchs, Avraham and Yitzchak. Horav Shlomo Margolis, Shlita, attributes this phenomenon to the different lives that they lived. Avraham initiated Tefillas Shacharis, the morning prayer. He understood that life has its challenges, its trials and travail. The sun shone for him. He succeeded in life, overcoming whatever challenges may have stood in his way. He was accepted by those around him. Indeed, he was recognized as G-d’s…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5761

“And it was in the morning, and behold- it was Leah!” (29:25)

Lavan lived up to his reputation as a corrupt, duplicitous miscreant. Yaakov and Rachel were prepared for Lavan’s certain deception. They, therefore, arranged a secret signal between them. Upon seeing that her sister, Leah, was about to be substituted for her, Rachel decided to give Leah the pre-determined sign, in order not to cause her embarrassment. Horav Aharon Kotler, z.l., observes that had it not been Hashem’s will that Leah marry Yaakov, then all of Lavan’s “shtick,” contrivances, would have been futile. One should not think that it was Lavan’s dishonesty, and Rachel’s magnanimous gesture, that brought about the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5761

“Yaakov departed from Beer Sheva and went toward Charan.” (28:10)

In the previous parsha, Parashas Toldos, the Torah records Yitzchak’s and Rivkah’s instructions to Yaakov to leave Beer Sheva in search of a wife. Yaakov Avinu listened to his parents and proceeded to leave. The last pasuk in the parsha tells us about Eisav’s quest for a wife, a search that led him to Yishmael, whose daughter he married. The Torah now reverts to telling us about Yaakov’s journey, his initial encounter with Rachel and the travail that ensued prior to and during their eventual marriage. The commentators wonder why Eisav’s marriage is placed in the midst of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5761

“And he dreamt, and behold! A ladder was set earthward and its top reached heavenward.” (28:12)

It is interesting to note that the vision of a ladder whose legs are on the ground, while the top reaches the heavens, occurred only to Yaakov and not to the preceding Patriarchs, Avraham and Yitzchak. Horav Shlomo Margolis, Shlita, attributes this phenomenon to the different lives that they lived. Avraham initiated Tefillas Shacharis, the morning prayer. He understood that life has its challenges, its trials and travail. The sun shone for him. He succeeded in life, overcoming whatever challenges may have stood in his way. He was accepted by those around him. Indeed, he was recognized as G-d’s…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5760

“And it was in the morning, and behold- it was Leah!” (29:25)

Lavan lived up to his reputation as a corrupt, duplicitous miscreant. Yaakov and Rachel were prepared for Lavan’s certain deception. They, therefore, arranged a secret signal between them. Upon seeing that her sister, Leah, was about to be substituted for her, Rachel decided to give Leah the pre-determined sign, in order not to cause her embarrassment. Horav Aharon Kotler, z.l., observes that had it not been Hashem’s will that Leah marry Yaakov, then all of Lavan’s “shtick,” contrivances, would have been futile. One should not think that it was Lavan’s dishonesty, and Rachel’s magnanimous gesture, that brought about the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

He encountered the place and spent the night there because the sun had set. (28:11)

Chazal credit Yaakov Avinu with introducing Tefillas Arvis. Thus, the word “vayifga,” which is usually translated as “he encountered,” means, “and he prayed.” Prayer is, in essence, an encounter with the Almighty. The Patriarchs initiated each of the daily tefillos. Regarding Avraham Avinu, who originated Tefillas Shacharis, the Torah says, “Avraham rose early in the morning to the place where he had stood before Hashem” (Bereishis 19:27). The Torah uses the word, “amidah,” standing, regarding Avraham. In contrast, pegiah, encounter, is used in regard to Yaakov. Finally, the word, “sichah,” – “Yitzchak went out to supplicate (lasuach) in the field,”…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

He took from the stones of the place, which he arranged around his head. (28:11)

In the Midrash, Chazal render this pasuk to mean that Yaakov Avinu took several stones, which began “quarrelling,” each one vying for the tzaddik to rest his head on it. “Alai yaniach tzaddik es rosho,” “Upon me shall this tzaddik rest his head.” Noticing this arguement, Hashem combined them all into one stone upon which Yaakov would rest. Horav Zaidel Epstein, Shlita, derives a profound lesson from here. Jewish tradition disapproves of machlokes, conflict, regardless of its goal, even if the dispute is about upon which stone the tzaddik should rest his head. As long as the “alai“, “me”, is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

And he lay down in that place. (28:11)

Rashi cites the Midrash that emphasizes that Yaakov Avinu lay down now – for the first time in fourteen years. His Torah study was so diligent that he had not laid down at night since he had left his parents’ home fourteen years earlier. Let us examine this statement. Certainly, Yaakov studied at the yeshivah of Shem and Eivar prior to his untimely departure from home. The Torah does not mention his lack of sleep there. What was so unique about these fourteen years that he never laid his head down? Horav Yechiel M’Ostrovtze, zl, explains that these were two…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

Then Yaakov took a vow, saying, “If Hashem will be with me, will guard me on this way that I am going; will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear. (28:20)

The Midrash Tanchuma notes that Hashem responded to all of Yaakov’s requests, with the exception of his request for parnassah, livelihood. Hashem said that He would be with him, protect him from his enemies, and guarantee his safe return home. He did not acquiesce to Yaakov’s simple request for bread and clothes, explaining, “If I guarantee his food, what will he pray for?” In other words, Hashem “held back” His assurance regarding Yaakov’s livelihood, to ensure that Yaakov would continue to supplicate Him for it. This is an incredible statement when you consider that Yaakov Avinu was not requesting luxuries. …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

And will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear… and Hashem will be a G-d to me. (28:20, 21)

The Baal HaTanya and the Kedushas Levi, Horav Levi Yitzchak M’berditchev, were mechutanim, relatives by marriage, through the marriage of their grandchildren. At the wedding, which these two tzaddikim graced by their presence, the Baal HaTanya offered a “l’chayim” to his mechutan: “L’Chayim, mechutan! Hashem Yisborach should help us with gashmius and ruchnius, material and spiritual needs,” said the Baal HaTanya. The Berditchever quickly asked, “How is it that you ask for material needs prior to spiritual needs?” “Is it any different than Yaakov Avinu, who first asked for bread and then asked that Hashem be a G-d to him?”…

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“And he dreamt, and behold! A ladder was set earthward and its top reached heavenward.” (28:12)

“And it was in the morning, and behold- it was Leah!” (29:25)

“Yaakov departed from Beer Sheva and went toward Charan.” (28:10)

“And he dreamt, and behold! A ladder was set earthward and its top reached heavenward.” (28:12)

“And it was in the morning, and behold- it was Leah!” (29:25)

He encountered the place and spent the night there because the sun had set. (28:11)

He took from the stones of the place, which he arranged around his head. (28:11)

And he lay down in that place. (28:11)

Then Yaakov took a vow, saying, “If Hashem will be with me, will guard me on this way that I am going; will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear. (28:20)

And will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear… and Hashem will be a G-d to me. (28:20, 21)

YEARS

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