Notable Sources
All Sources
A
Jacob's Stairway to Heaven
TANAKH
Jacob's dream of a stairway connecting heaven and earth is a powerful and vivid image that has captivated readers for millennia. The book of Genesis, the first book of the Torah, recounts this dream and its significance, depicting Jacob's encounter with the divine and the assurance of God's presence and protection.
Divine Protection in Jacob's Dream
TALMUD
Jacob's encounter with angels ascending and descending the ladder, recounted in the Talmudic tractate Chullin, illustrates a unique divine interaction. The passage highlights the extraordinary nature of this vision, emphasizing how angels from above and below gaze upon Jacob's image.
The Mystical Connection in Jacob's Dream
COMMENTARY
Jacob's dream reveals the mystical connection between the human soul and the divine during sleep. The 18th-century commentary Or HaChaim by Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar delves into the Kabbalistic interpretation of Jacob's dream, illustrating the soul's dual presence in the body and the heavens.
The Vision of Jacob's Dream
MIDRASH
Jacob's dream reveals the rise and fall of empires, with a particular focus on the kingdom of Edom's prince ascending without descending. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an eighth-century midrashic work, elaborates on Jacob's dream in Genesis, adding mystical and eschatological dimensions.
Jacob's Dream and the Holy Temple
MUSAR
Jacob's dream is not just a vision but a profound metaphor for the Holy Temple and its significance in Jewish history. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz, in his 17th-century work Shenei Luchot HaBerit, interprets the ladder in Jacob's dream as symbolizing the altar's ramp, the High Priests' service, and the cycles of the Temple's construction and destruction.
The Stones of Jacob's Dream
MUSAR
The unity and cooperation of the stones in Jacob's dream symbolize unity and collective support for the righteous, highlighting a profound spiritual lesson. In Mesillat Yesharim, an 18th-century ethical work by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, the Midrash is used to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons.
The Ladder of the Soul
JEWISH THOUGHT
Jacob's dream of a ladder connecting heaven and earth serves as a profound metaphor for the soul's journey from divine origin to human existence. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin's Nefesh HaChayim delves into the mystical connections between the different levels of the human soul and their divine source.
Jacob's Night of Revelation
COMMENTARY
Jacob's most profound spiritual experiences occur during moments of solitude and vulnerability, particularly at night. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his 21st-century work, explores Jacob's journey and his dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, as recounted in the weekly Torah portion Vayetzeh.
Jacob's Vision
COMMENTARY
Jacob's dream was not merely a dream but a vision, indicating a deeper, more prophetic experience. The 16th-century Italian rabbi and commentator Sforno offers a profound interpretation of Jacob's dream, emphasizing its significance as a divine vision.
Jacob's Dream and the House of God
SECOND TEMPLE
Jacob's dream is a pivotal moment in Jewish history, marked by his joyful reaction to God's predictions and his vow to offer sacrifices and tithes. In his first-century historical work, Josephus recounts Jacob's dream, his anointing of the stones with oil, and his naming of the place as Bethel, meaning 'The House of God.'
Jacob's Vision and Reverence
LITURGY
Jacob's dream is so significant that his image is engraved on God's glorious throne. This text from the Neilah service of Yom Kippur captures Jacob's awe and reverence upon waking from his vision.
Jacob's Divine Promise
HALAKHAH
Jacob's dream at Beit El includes a divine promise that his descendants will inherit the land and be a source of blessing for all families of the earth. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, in his contemporary presentation of Jewish law, Peninei Halakhah, explores the significance of this promise and its implications for Jewish history and identity.
Detail of a miniature depicting scenes from the life of Jacob. Image taken from f. 4v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Sister Haggadah')
Detail of a miniature depicting scenes from the life of Jacob. Image taken from f. 4v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Sister Haggadah')
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