Escape!
In last week’s Parsha, Yaakov got the blessings from his father, Yitzchak. Eisav felt so cheated that he wanted to kill his brother Yaakov. “REVENGE!” cried Eisav. “I will finish off my brother Yaakov once and for all.”
Yaakov ran for his life. His parents instructed him to go to Charan, the birthplace of his mother, Rivkah. Yaakov sneaked out of town quietly, but somehow Eisav found out. He sent his son, Elifaz on a mission to kill his Uncle Yaakov.
Your Money or Your Life?
Elifaz didn’t really want to harm his uncle, but he had no choice. Armed and determined, Elifaz soon caught up with Yaakov and threatened to kill him!
“Wait, Elifaz!” said Yaakov. “Please don’t kill me! I have an idea. Take all I my money! Without money, I’m worthless – like a dead man.”
Elifaz agreed happily. He robbed Yaakov of everything, including all the expensive gifts he had prepared for his future wife. But Yaakov was just thankful to be alive!
Holy Dreams!
On his way to Charan, Yaakov stopped at Mount Moriah. There he prayed Maariv, the evening prayer, and prepared to go to sleep.
During the night, Yaakov had a prophetic dream. He had a vision of a huge ladder that stretched all the way to heaven and Malachim (angels) were going up and down the ladder.
Then, HaShem spoke to Yaakov in his dream, “I am the G-d of Avraham and Yitzchak. This land that you rest upon, I will give to you and your descendants. Your offspring will be as many as the dust of the land. May you have strength and burst forward with blessings in all directions; west, east, north, and south. I will be with you and protect you wherever you go. You will return home safely.”
Gateway to Heaven!
When Yaakov awoke, he understood that this was more than a dream. Yaakov exclaimed, “What an amazing vision! I had no idea that this is the Gateway to Heaven! How could I have slept on such holy ground?” Indeed, the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple) would someday be built on that very same spot.
Yaakov made a promise to HaShem, “If You will protect me while I am in Charan, return me safely to my father’s house, and give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, I will give plenty of Tzedakah (charity) from everything I earn.”
Well Done!
Yaakov continued his journey, and arrived at the well near Charan. He noticed a huge stone covering its opening. Because the stone was too heavy for one person to lift, the shepherds waited until everyone had gathered so together they could lift the massive stone.
“Where are you from?” Yaakov asked the shepherds.
“We’re from here… from Charan,” they replied.
“Great! Do you know Lavan?” asked Yaakov.
“Lavan? Sure, we know him! Look, here comes his daughter, Rachel!” answered the shepherds.
It was true! Rachel was a shepherdess, and she was coming towards the well with her flock of sheep. Yaakov had a strong feeling that she was to be his intended wife. So he stepped forward to help and with ease Yaakov single-handedly lifted the huge stone off the well! He then proceeded to give water to Rachel’s sheep.
With tears in his eyes, Yaakov introduced himself to Rachel, “I am your cousin, Yaakov. My mother, Rivkah, is your father’s sister. I have come here from the faraway land of Cana’an.”
Rachel ran off to tell her father, Lavan, the exciting news. “Father, you won’t believe this. I met this man at the well and he lifted the rock all by himself. And there is so much more to tell you!”
