Va-yetze—And he went out. (Genesis 28:10-22)

     Jacob realizes that he must leave home after all that has happened. In contrast to Abraham, who hears the voice of God telling him to go forth, Jacob hears only his mother’s voice telling him he must leave because his brother Esau wants to kill him.

     Like Abraham, he leaves behind everyone he knows. Strikingly his journey will not take him to an unknown promised land. Instead, he reverses Abraham’s journey and heads back to Haran, “the old country.” It is as if everything that Abraham and Isaac had done had been erased. 

Va-yetze—Jacob leaves

     We can imagine Jacob’s feelings that first night—all alone in the dark. The stone pillow under his head makes clear that he is without all the comforts of home. He dreams. It is not a nightmare—it is a vision of hope. He sees a ladder with angels going up and down. He sees God who tells him that his descendants will be numerous and that God will be with him. Jacob has always doubted his ability to achieve the life he desires. He tricks his way into blessing. God assures him that God will accompany him on the journey.

     Knowing that he is not alone and assured that he will have many descendants, he awakens, expressing wonder at his experience as he realizes that this spot is the gateway to heaven. He vows that if God keeps God’s promise and returns him safely, then God will be his God and Jacob will tithe to God from his wealth.

     Sadly, Jacob has missed the point. Life isn’t only transactional. “I’ll help you if you help me.” Or if I can buy the birthright from my brother, why not? He mistakenly thinks blessings must be received from others rather than coming from how you live your life. 

Va-yetze---Jacob has left home but he is lugging it with him. He needs to find himself and understand that it is openness that allows you to move forward into the future. When you know who you are and are no longer constantly greeting everyone with suspicion, you can “spread out to the west and the east, to the north and the south (Gen 28:14).” For then you yourself have become the blessing.

We are all the descendants of Jacob, hoping to be pulled into life by holding on to the heel of those who came before us. We also strive to be Yisrael/Israel, the ones who struggle with the journey’s challenges and prevail.