Parshat Vayeitzei
Gen 28: 17 And he was frightened, and he said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
Gen 32:2-3 And Jacob went on his way, and angels of God met him. And Jacob said when he saw them, "This is the camp of God," and he named the place Mahanaim.
In his early adulthood, before he has married and established a household, Jacob has a religious vision and names the place the house of God (Beth El). Later, when he is moving his now large and wealthy household of wives, children, camels, goats, sheep, tents, he meets god’s messengers and calls the place the camp of God. Why does he call the first place a house and the second place a camp? A house implies more permanence than a camp. Early in his life, he is seeking – and perhaps thinks he has found – an enduring way to encounter God. He names this experience a “house” to connote it’s permanence. Twenty years later, he realizes that even insights and encounters with God have a fleeting nature.
May we be blessed to hold even our insights lightly, realizing that with grace, they may be constantly renewed and refreshed.
Genesis 1:6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, and let it be a separation between water and water...
1:8 And God called the expanse Heaven...”
The Hebrew word “rakia” is often translated in this verse as sky or firmament, but it literally means 'spread' or 'expanse.' Using the meaning “expanse” gives a helpful clue about how to access our own creative response to challenges. When we are in the midst of trying to create a solution to a problem, there is often a stage near the beginning when we feel we are drowning in an undefined, watery mess. One of the important steps to finding a wise solution is to create the space to be able to consider the problem from new perspectives. Centering on our breath, taking an exercise break, listening to music, talking to a friend – these are all strategies to take us out of old habitual reactions. Creating an expansive feeling – about the problem or about the resources we can bring to bear on the problem – usually helps us respond more constructively. When we are able to find that expansive stance toward a troubling problem – the resulting relief can, indeed, feel like Heaven.
Vezot HaBerachah
Deuteronomy 24:7: Moses was 120 years old when he died, but his eyes had not dimmed, and his natural powers had not left him.
“His eyes had not dimmed” refers to his ability to see wisely and clearly, namely his inner sight. “His natural powers” refers to his power to imagine freedom and justice.
As we age, may our inner wisdom, our imagination, and our commitment to freedom grow even stronger.
