Monday, November 4, 2013

Vayeitzei - Genesis 28:10-22 - Buying a Stairway to Heaven

10. Jacob left Beer Sheva, and he went toward Haran.י. וַיֵּצֵא יַעֲקֹב מִבְּאֵר שָׁבַע וַיֵּלֶךְ חָרָנָה:
11. He arrived at the place and got ready to sleep there because the sun had set, and he took some of the stones of the place and placed them at his head, and he lay down in that place.יא. וַיִּפְגַּע בַּמָּקוֹם וַיָּלֶן שָׁם כִּי בָא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וַיִּקַּח מֵאַבְנֵי הַמָּקוֹם וַיָּשֶׂם מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו וַיִּשְׁכַּב בַּמָּקוֹם הַהוּא:
12. And he dreamed, and look: a ladder was set up on the ground and its top reached to heaven; and look: angels of God were going up and going down on it.יב. וַיַּחֲלֹם וְהִנֵּה סֻלָּם מֻצָּב אַרְצָה וְרֹאשׁוֹ מַגִּיעַ הַשָּׁמָיְמָה וְהִנֵּה מַלְאֲכֵי אֱלֹהִים עֹלִים וְיֹרְדִים בּוֹ:
13. And look: the Eternal was standing over him, and God said, "I am the Eternal, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac; the land upon which you are lying I will give it to you and to your descendants.יג. וְהִנֵּה יְהֹוָה נִצָּב עָלָיו וַיֹּאמַר אֲנִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אָבִיךָ וֵאלֹהֵי יִצְחָק הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה שֹׁכֵב עָלֶיהָ לְךָ אֶתְּנֶנָּה וּלְזַרְעֶךָ:
14. And your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall strongly go westward [lit. "toward the sea"] and eastward and northward and southward [lit. "toward the Negev"]; and through you and your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.יד. וְהָיָה זַרְעֲךָ כַּעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ וּפָרַצְתָּ יָמָּה וָקֵדְמָה וְצָפֹנָה וָנֶגְבָּה וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ כָּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה וּבְזַרְעֶךָ:
15. And look: I am with you, and I will guard you wherever you go, and I will return you to this land, for I will not abandon you until I have done what I have promised you."טו. וְהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי עִמָּךְ וּשְׁמַרְתִּיךָ בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ וַהֲשִׁבֹתִיךָ אֶל הָאֲדָמָה הַזֹּאת כִּי לֹא אֶעֱזָבְךָ עַד אֲשֶׁר אִם עָשִׂיתִי אֵת אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי לָךְ:
16. Jacob woke up from his sleep, and he said, "Wow! The Eternal is in this place, and I did not know."טז. וַיִּיקַץ יַעֲקֹב מִשְּׁנָתוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר אָכֵן יֵשׁ יְהֹוָה בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה וְאָנֹכִי לֹא יָדָעְתִּי:
17. And he was overwhelmed, and he said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."יז. וַיִּירָא וַיֹּאמַר מַה נּוֹרָא הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה אֵין זֶה כִּי אִם בֵּית אֱלֹהִים וְזֶה שַׁעַר הַשָּׁמָיִם:
18. So Jacob arose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had placed at his head, and he set it up as a monument, and he poured oil on top of it.יח. וַיַּשְׁכֵּם יַעֲקֹב בַּבֹּקֶר וַיִּקַּח אֶת הָאֶבֶן אֲשֶׁר שָׂם מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו וַיָּשֶׂם אֹתָהּ מַצֵּבָה וַיִּצֹק שֶׁמֶן עַל רֹאשָׁהּ:
19. And he named the place Beth El, but Luz was orignally the name of the city.יט. וַיִּקְרָא אֶת שֵׁם הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא בֵּית אֵל וְאוּלָם לוּז שֵׁם הָעִיר לָרִאשֹׁנָה:
20. And Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and God will guard me on this way, upon which I am going, and God will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear;כ. וַיִּדַּר יַעֲקֹב נֶדֶר לֵאמֹר אִם יִהְיֶה אֱלֹהִים עִמָּדִי וּשְׁמָרַנִי בַּדֶּרֶךְ הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ וְנָתַן לִי לֶחֶם לֶאֱכֹל וּבֶגֶד לִלְבֹּשׁ:
21. And if I return in peace to my father's house, and the Eternal will be my God;כא. וְשַׁבְתִּי בְשָׁלוֹם אֶל בֵּית אָבִי וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לִי לֵאלֹהִים:
22. Then this stone, which I have placed as a monument, shall be a house of God, and everything that You give me, I will surely pay back to You.כב. וְהָאֶבֶן הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי מַצֵּבָה יִהְיֶה בֵּית אֱלֹהִים וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר תִּתֶּן לִי עַשֵּׂר אֲעַשְּׂרֶנּוּ לָךְ:

Guide Questions:

 1. In verse 11,  how many times does the word מָּקוֹם occur in this verse? Why do you think this word is repeated? According to Rashi, what is "the place"? Why is this significant? One of God's names is The Place (of the universe). How can God be like a "place"? What are some places in your life that you would consider special or holy?

 2. According to Rashi, what is the meaning of verse 16? In what other ways are we "asleep" or not aware of special or holy things that are happening right in front of us? Give an example from your life.

 3. According to the Sfas Emes in Sparks Beneath the Surface (p. 38, look under "Perush"), what kind of feelings accompany discovering truth? What kind of feelings do not? Do you agree?

 4. According to the Stone Chumash (p. 145), there is great symbolism in Jacob's dream. What are some of the things the ladder might represent? The angels? Jacob's standing with God above him?

 5. According to Rebbe Nachman's Torah (p. 231), what does the Hebrew verb וַיִּפְגַּע mean? What prayer did Jacob establish? It also says that Jacob at first did not pray, but then he did. Why is it hard to pray in the "dark"?

 6. According to Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso in Text Messages (pp. 29-30), what question do the Rabbis ask, and what is the meaning of their answer? How does Rabbi Sasso say this applies to you today?

 7. According to Plaut's Modern Torah Commentary (p. 195), what is the history of the place Beth El? In the "Gleanings" section of that same commentary under "The Gate of Heaven" (p. 197), what does it mean that Beth El is the "gate of heaven"? Do you agree?
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89 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:53 AM

      But how can just 1 or several places be holy. It's not like there are boarders when it comes to holy places... it there? Was it that he considered this place holy.

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:22 PM

      Well, some places are probably considered holier than others.

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    3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:27 PM

      But is that true? In the end it's a opinion. Which can go either-way

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    4. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      Julia - I think this is a fantastic question. Are there borders to holiness or is holiness everywhere? What do you think?

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    5. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM

      How can there be boarders (of holiness) if anywhere you go you can pray. True that some places you can feel G-d there more than other, but it doesn't mean G-d isn't there.

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  2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    Jules & Noah
    We are using Rashi and the Stone Chumash.
    We are answering question 2.
    The text says, "Jacob awakened from his sleep, and he said, "Indeed, the Lord is in this place, and I did not know [it]". Rashi says, "For had I known, I would not have slept in such a holy place." In response to Rashi, but why not sleep in a "holy place." G-d is where so doesn't that make everywhere holy?

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:55 AM

      God might have a stronger presence in some places more then others. For example God might have a stronger presence in the woods rather than in a big city.

      Ari and Adin

      Ari and Adin

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:58 AM

      There are special places that are supposed to be holy, even if God is everywhere.

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    3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:02 PM

      What's your holy place? mine is the mountains. I think that places that have less people and more nature are the best places and have more g-d in them.

      -Adin

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    4. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:07 PM

      Anywhere can be special to you. It depends on what makes you feel relaxed and good.

      Mia

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    5. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:10 PM

      Maybe it's not that places are more holy than others, it's that we have a better chance to connect to G-d without distractions. For example, if you're in the city are probably gonna be more aware of the clock and be late for work. But if you're in nature or a quiet/peaceful place, you'll be more focused more the beauty of the world.

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    6. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:11 PM

      I agree with Giselle.

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    7. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:28 PM

      i feel like this is THE holy place, aka the future site of the beit hamikdash, so maybey that stone will become to altar?

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    8. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      But God is everywhere so God is has a equal presence everywhere

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    9. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      I agree with julia

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    10. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:30 PM

      Thats true but different people can find different places more or less holy.

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    11. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:31 PM

      i agree with Mia and i agree with Jules. it really could be any were. For example like it could be a bike park ( that would be me) or a gym ( Mia maybe?)

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    12. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:31 PM

      There are many holy places, but that doesn't mean that every place is holy. A holy or amzing thing needs to happen for it to be holy. I also think God kind of decides if the place is holy or not. But not every place is holy just because God is everywhere.

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    13. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 6:40 PM

      For example, the Israel, Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, and Beer Sheba are holy places. That doesn't mean God isn't everywhere. That just means God made those places holy whether or not God is everything.

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    14. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:13 PM

      I think a holy place is completely on your command. Wherever you want God to be, he'll be there.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    We used Rebbe Nachman. He says the hebrew word vayifga means "he came". This refers to the evening prayer also known as mariv. This is the first recorded mariv. This means that Jacob established mariv. It might have been hard to pray in the dark because he gaze upon natures awesomeness and praise God for it.

    Ari and Adin

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:57 AM

      Why are people in bereishit always inventing prayer services?

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:06 PM

      Do people in the Torah after Yaakov continue to pray mariv?

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    3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:18 PM

      Most likely, because we do it today. It probably just wasn't important in other parts of the torah.

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    4. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:24 PM

      What if the "dark" is not about physical darkness but feeling depressed or "in the dark"? Why is it hard to pray "in the dark?

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    5. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      because they have to say their prayers through mind because they do not have a siddur yet

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    6. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      Because when you're upset or depressed you're being more selfish. Thinking about all the bad stuff that has happened to you and not the good.

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    7. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:30 PM

      Rabbi Meszler, that is interesting. On one hand, when people are depressed, they may pray for happiness. On the other hand, when people are depressed, they may have a hard time praying or may not want to pray because they may be too angry and sad.

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    8. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:30 PM

      I sometimes feel that it's easier to pray "in the dark." It's so easy to take the good for granted but for some reason when I face difficult times - I naturally turn to God.

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    9. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:18 PM

      Well, if you believe in God, then it's mostly instinctive to pray to God when you're depressed. That's why we have to be reminded every day to praise God for all of the good things.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    From Giselle and Kol:
    We decided to chose Rashi as our commentator. Rashi answered: 2. According to Rashi, what is the meaning of verse 16? In what other ways are are "asleep" or not aware of special or holy things that are happening right in front of us? Give an example from your life.
    Rashi's answer was that if he had known that it was a holy place, he wouldn't haave slept there.
    I half ahree, half disagree with Rashi because if I had known it was a holy place I would want to stay there. But I would also not want to be there because I would be afraid that God would be mad at me for being there if I wasn't supposed to be.

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:02 PM

      I think that places aren't holy until holy things happen there. For example, if you clear out a place where a derelict house is, and build a synagogue there, and after a few years, there will be learning an services and joy, and stuff. Before that, it was just a vacant lot. this is symbolized by the name change, and other place name changes in the Torah, like Eshcol. When something "miraculous" happens at one place, it becomes a holy place. So I guess I disagree with Rashi.

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:04 PM

      Maybe in some cases. but think nature, that's holy too right?

      -Adin

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    3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:05 PM

      Why would he not want you to be there? God loves everyone and he may think you are especially holy.

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    4. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:17 PM

      I agree with Micah. G-d does loves everyone, and everything.

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    5. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:23 PM

      If you want God there, he'll be there for you. (Wouldn't you be happy with your creations?)

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  5. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    me and alex did number 4

    it said that the latter study for mt. sini because both ther numerical value is 130
    the angels are aaron and mosha

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:04 PM

      The ladder symbolizes Mt. Sinai. God stands atop the ladder/mountain, and holy dudes (Angels, Moshe) go on it.

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:27 PM

      God being on top of the ladder is a metaphor. God is EVERYWHERE!

      Delete
  6. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Yosef and Lili- We studied verse 16 ans what Rashi said about it. Rashi says when Jacob says "and I did not know" he is saying that he did not know how holy the place he was sleeping at was. One time that I did not realize how holy the place I was at was when I was Redwood National Park and I couldn't notice at the time that beauty of it. But now I realize how beautiful and holy it was.

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:34 PM

      I agree. You don't realize somethings amazing or beautiful til your not there anymore. But I don't think Jacob ever had those feelings

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:32 PM

      Just like when you crack up about something only afterwards, when you think about it even though, at the time it happened, you felt just the opposite.

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  7. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    Micah and Leora
    Commentator: Rashi
    Question: What is the meaning of verse sixteen
    Answer: We arejust asleep because we still recognize we are in a holy place. Jacob even marked this place when he was awake.
    Our Thoughts: Just because we are asleep doesn't mean we are not aware fo the problems on earth. They are just not in our head at the moment. For example, after I have a dream, I realize that the dream is just a dream yet we should bring this into life to improve the way we do things.

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:35 PM

      I think it's weird, but I once had an unrealistic dream that predicted a tragedy the next day.

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  8. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:04 PM

      but don't you have to pray all the time?

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:23 PM

      Ya. Don't we always pray for the best even when things are horrible.

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  9. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:02 PM

    Leora and Micah
    Our commentator, Rashi, is answering question number one; In verse 11, how many times does the word מָּקוֹם occur in this verse? Why do you think this word is repeated? According to Rashi, what is "the place"? Why is this significant? One of God's names is The Place (of the universe). How can God be like a "place"? What are some places in your life that you would consider special or holy?
    The word מָּקוֹם repeats 3 times in verse 11. We think the word מָּקוֹם is repeated because this "place" isn't just a place. Something is different and significant about this place. Rashi says the place is Mount Moriah. This means the place is holy. God can be like a "place" because God is everywhere, so God is in every location. We find views in nature that are remarkable holy. For example, Niagara Falls is holy.

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:07 PM

      This is a really "place" place.

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:25 PM

      What is a place place

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    3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:37 PM

      It really depends on where you want God to be. "Holy" is all up to you.

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  11. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:02 PM

    In Genesis 28:11, the word makom appears three times.This word is repeated to say that he went there, took stones from there, and slept there. According to Rashi, the place is Mount Moriah because it says so in Genesis 22:2 from an earlier reference. God's name is hamakom which means the place. Holy places for me are temple and home.
    By Ben, Nadav, and Josh

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 9:42 PM

      I think "the place" is where you want "the place" to be.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    Question 4.
    The angels represent how great the land is. Noah and I think that a land must be pretty awesome to have angels grading it. Also, the Stone Chumash says that "lesser angels" would escort Israel to the land. So G-d does want Israel to come, otherwise why would G-d show Jacob how great the land is.

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:28 PM

      I wonder if it mentions Angel "Ranks" any other place in the Torah?

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  13. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    Are question is number four. According to the Stone Addition Chumash the ladder symbolizes Mount Sini and the angels represent Moshe and Aaron. We agree because the angles are servants to God just like Moshe and Aaron. We also agree that the ladder represents Mount Sini because when you clime to the top you are closer to God. We agree with the Stone Addition Chumash.
    Clara and Mia

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:32 PM

      Do you have to be physically higher to be closer to God? Isn't God all around us? What helps us to be closer to God?
      Rebecca

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  14. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    2. According to Rashi, what is the meaning of verse 16? In what other ways are we "asleep" or not aware of special or holy things that are happening right in front of us? Give an example from your life.

    -According to rashi this is what verse 16 means "and I did not know [it]: For had I known, I would not have slept in such a holy place. [from Bereishith Rabbathi , attributed to Rabbi Moshe Hadarshan]."

    -An example from my life is when sometimes I rush though my prayers and I don't realize that I'm praying to thank god for something it depends on the prayer.
    -Aurora Rees

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:09 PM

      You were asleep to the fact that prayer is a holy time?

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:30 PM

      A prayer may be holy to some people but others may need to express themselves in a different way. To some people praying may be the best way to say thanks you, but for other people they might need to meditate or do something relaxing.
      Mia

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  15. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    We are answering question 3, using Sparks Beneath The Surface. It says that instead of feeling special and arrogant about this dream, Jacob was humbled. Feelings like humility are the kind that accompany discovering truth. The kind of feelings that do not accompany discovering truth are feelings like arrogance.
    -Liora and Gavy

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    1. AnonymousNovember 17, 2013 at 11:36 AM

      That makes sense because when you're arrogant, your self reflections won't necessarily be accurate. When you're humble though, your self reflections will be honest and accurate. Jacob was humble about his dream and didn't think that he was on the same level as god in terms of holiness.

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  16. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    According to Rashi, what is the meaning of verse 16? In what other ways are are "asleep" or not aware of special or holy things that are happening right in front of us? Give an example from your life.

    In the story, verse 16, Jacob says how he hadn’t realised that where he was sleeping was a holy pllace. He suddenly woke up and was surprised. He said “For had I know I would not have slept in such a holy place”. Rashi points out in his commentary that in our everyday lives we simply overlook so many holy occurrences. We take them for granted. If we could just open our eyes and realize all that we have around us, every minute would be filled with awe.
    We agree with Rashi’s commentary. There are so many examples of this in our own lives it’s almost impossible to pick one. One example would be simply breathing. We don’t have to think about it- it just happens! We don’t usually think about how amazing this simple occurrence is. We are honestly so lucky.

    By Danielle and Rebecca

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  17. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:11 PM

    In Jacobs dream, why does he "go up a ladder" to talk to god when god is supposed to be everywhere, not just up?
    Maya & Zach

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    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:21 PM

      Maybe it's that even though God is everywhere, the way to communicate/interact with God is to go to a high place (presumably heaven).

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      I agree. It is a rumor that God is supposed to be everywhere. Not just up. Maybe that is the only place where you can connect to God though.

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    3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      Maybe "up" and "down" is just a way of symbolizing something.

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    4. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      is it possible that it was someone else climbing up the ladder

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    5. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:30 PM

      I agree with Noah. Also, maybe a way of showing God respect is by going up. To show God that he is higher up then the rest of us.

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    6. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM

      I agree with your question, but maybe God is represented as being up near a heaven

      Delete
    7. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:34 PM

      Maya please look up a picture of a ladder. You can not go side ways on them.

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  18. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Our commentator, Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso from Text Messages says the rabbis in a midrash ask "Why didn't Jacob go up the ladder with the angels?" The midrash answers that Jacob was afraid of risking going up the ladder because he might fall down the ladder when he saw the angels going up and down. According to Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Jacob was afraid of going up because of the consequence of falling down. Rabbi Sasso teaches us that we should follow our desires and ambitions even if there is risk. By Ben, Josh, and Nadav.

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  19. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Micah and Leora
    Commentator: Plaut Commentary
    Question: The history of Beth El. Why it is a gate to heaven?
    Answer: It is where Abraham built an altar. It is where Jacobs name is changed. It is where the Canaanites gave a temple to the God El. It is a way to heaven because it is the door for prayer to be heard to God because he is standing there.
    Our thoughts: I don't think heaven is for our prayer to be heard. I think heaven is where our actions are appreciated or hated on.

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  20. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    Itai and Pop Tart:
    Our question, According to Rashi, what is the meaning of verse 16? In what other ways are we "asleep" or not aware of special or holy things that are happening right in front of us? Give an example from your life, was answered by Rashi. His answer was that if Jacob had known that he was lying down in a holy place, he wouldnt have gone to sleep. This comment added to our understanding because it gave us a detail that wasn't said in the actual text. This added to our understanding.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 5:17 PM

      what are some examples of holy moment that happend in your life

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 10:21 PM

      my bar mitzvah

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  21. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    Leora and Micah
    The commentary, "Sparks Beneath the Surface", a Spiritual Commentary by Lawrence S. Kushner and Kerry M. Olitzky, gives an answer to the question "According to the Sfas Emes in Sparks Beneath the Surface (p. 38, look under "Perush"), what kind of feelings accompany discovering truth? What kind of feelings do not?"
    The commentary says that humbleness and awe accompanies discovering truth, and arrogance and specialty are feelings that do not accompany truth.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:30 PM

      Do you agree?

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 5:58 PM

      I am not sure if I agree. The commentary is talking about discovering the truth that the place that Jacob was sleeping in was a place of God; God was present. In this situation, Jacob responded with awe. I think that people respond differently,depending on the truth that was discovered. If someone discovers a truth that they are not happy with, they most likely will not be humble and they will be angry. If someone discovers a truth like the one Jacob discovered, they either can be humble, or they can think that they are special and they can be arrogant. It depends on the person and the situation.

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  23. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    We studied Reb Nachman and he says that when Ya'akov stopped in the night he was actually praying the evening prayer. We also talked about what it means that he was in the dark. Being in the dark can mean that it's nightime or that he was disappointed or sad. Sometimes it's hard to pray when you're sad because you feel you have little to be thankful for.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      What else can being in the dark symbolize?

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    2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      I think that being in the dark can also mean that you do not understand something.

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    3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:30 PM

      Sometimes it's hard to pray in any situation but I agree with this comment.
      -Aurora Rees

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    4. AnonymousNovember 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM

      I agree with Liora, being in the dark about something can mean you don't know anything about it.

      Delete

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