Vayeitzei (Sat 25th Nov. /12th Kislev)
The Ladder of Life
Your Weekly Mission -by Rabbi Laibl Wolf
Jacob’s ladder is a poignant reminder that all of life actions create angels – leave spiritual effects. To make the world a better place we need to live meaningfully and act positively so that our angels heal a broken world.
Notes:
• One of the most inspirational images in the Chumash, and one that has inspired many a painter, is our introduction to this week’s Torah reading of VaYeitzei – viz. Jacob’s ladder. He is suddenly propelled into a deep slumber and in his dream, he sees the vision of a ladder with angels ascending and descending.
• But the angel’s home turf is surely up there – so why would angels first ascend and then descend? Ascending angels were the spiritual energies created by Yaakov’s evening prayers. These energies rose, and effected a reciprocal flow of goodness, descending angels, in return.
• Everything we do creates an angel i.e. leaves a spiritual footprint in the sands of time and space. Our thoughts, words and behaviours affect others, and the world, not just tangibly, but spiritually recharacterizing reality.
• You and I are spiritual artists, life is our canvass, and our actions are our brushstrokes.
• Paint the world with hues and colours of goodness, kindness and gentleness. In a world wracked by division and intolerance, your good energy makes the difference.
• Live meaningfully – live positively – allow your angels to reciprocate goodness from Above.