Hello everyone,
Yesterday and today in class we briefly discussed Yaakov's dream and his conversation with Hashem. We see that Hashem hands over the promise of Zerah and Aretz, just like Yitzchak said he should be blessed with in his bracha to Yaakov previously. Also, this shows that Yaakov is the Nivchar and is going to receive parts of the promise that Avraham received. However, at first we do not see him receiving the second part of the bracha, which is the leadership part. Until now, we have doubted Yaakov's leadership abilities because he was the calm and reserved brother. BUT suddenly, we see that Yaakov builds a monument just like Avraham and Yitzchak when they build a mizbeach for Hashem. This shows that Yaakov really does have leadership qualities afterall! He wants to build a "Beit Elokim" so he can "rendezvous" with God and pass on what he knows to others. This shows his true qualities that resemble Avraham that we never really saw in Yitzchak.
Before I read your blog I thought that building the Beit Elokim did not show his leadership, rather his spirituality- the quality that we already knew about him. However, now that I read your insightful blog I see how it was a step towards Yaakov's leadership because he can pass G-d on to others just like Avraham did. Here we see Yaakov taking steps towards spreading the word of G-d and becoming a leader. Thanks Aviva!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alexa, that it shows his spirituality since he says that he will go build a beit for God and not all Jews of the world will come together, and that he can spread ethical monotheism. I think you have made a good point though, and it is very interesting to see it this way.
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