Vayetze
He Went Out
He Went Out
The portion begins with Jacob setting out from Bersheba to Charan, fleeing from his brother Esau. Jacob's mother, Rebecca, urges him to leave becuse she sees prophetically that Esau wants to kill him, while his father Isaac sends him away to avoid marrying the wrong type of woman. But the Torah uses very specific words to describe Jacob's journey.
Instead of saying "he went", the Torah says "he went out" to Charan. To "go out" means to leave our comfort zone, to step outside our ego and physical body consciousness. Esau represents ego, anger, selfishness, fear and blame, whereas Jacob represents spirituality, soul awareness and elevated consciousness. By "going out", Jacob restricts the Esau energy and takes a profound step towards spiritual awakening. Similarly, when we restrict our own Esau-traits, we too create space for unity, clarity and a connection to the Divine.
The Power of One Step
Right after Jacob departs, the Torah says: “Vayifga ba-makom” — “And he encountered the place.” The word vayifga is unusual. It doesn’t mean “he arrived.” It means “he collided with,” “was met by,” or “came face-to-face with unexpectedly". The Zohar explains that Jacob did not merely reach the place — the place reached him. “The place” refers to both the physical location and the presence of the Shechinah, G-d, or the Light.
Spiritually, this teaches a powerful law - when we take one sincere step toward spiritual growth, the Light moves exponentially toward us. Jacob’s journey literally shortened; the mountain itself “came toward him.” A small gesture from below drew a massive response from Above. This is the essence of spiritual awakening, great transformations begin with a single step of willingness.
The Ladder and the Gate to Heaven
On the way to Charan, Jacob lies down to sleep and dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. God promises him protection and blessings, and that his offspring will inherit the land. Kabbalists use the image of the ladder as a meditation to elevate consciousness through the four spiritual worlds. Other interpretations connect the dream to Jacob’s transition from the diaspora to the Holy Land, and the soul’s movement between physical reality and divine revelation. When Jacob awakens, he sets up a stone monument, pours oil on it, and declares the place to be “God’s house.” The site was called Luz, but Jacob renamed it Bethel.
Luz and the Human Body
“Luz” is also the name given in Kabbalistic writings to the indestructible bone at the top of the spine, sometimes associated with the “atlas” bone at the base of the skull. This bone is considered the point from which resurrection will begin. Just above it lies the pineal gland, long associated with spiritual sight. Modern research suggests the pineal gland produces small amounts of endogenous DMT, a molecule linked with near-death experiences and profound visions. Many who encounter DMT - whether naturally or through trauma - describe moments of divine clarity, unity, or heavenly awareness.
Thus, the place where Jacob experienced a prophetic vision is named the same as a part of the human body associated with higher consciousness and mystical perception. Jacob’s ladder becomes not only a geographical event, but a blueprint for spiritual ascent within the human being.
The Power of Tithing
After the vision, Jacob vows that he will "surely give one tenth" of all he receives. It is important to understand that tithing in more than charity - it is a spiritual technology that creates flow and allows us to remove potentially negative aspects from our lives. Giving a tithe or other amounts with the proper consciousness of sharing, without ego or personal agenda, provides blessings and protection to the giver. Giving creates continuity and allows you to act like a conduit, able to receive more as you give more.
Maintaining Certainty
The portion tells the story of how Jacob worked for his uncle Laban for seven years in order to gain the hand of his daughter, Rachael, as a wife. At the end of the seven years he was tricked into marrying Rachael's sister Leah. Rather than falling into despair, he works for another seven years with certainty and commitment.
This teaches us that persistence through apparent setbacks draws powerful results. Certainty - especially when circumstances seem impossible - is a force that shapes our physical reality, and can be used to manifest results in business and personal matters in our lives.
Achieving Balance
Jacob represents the central column in Kabbalah, balancing the right column (Abraham, mercy) and the left column (Isaac, judgment). Only when mercy and judgment are balanced by the central column of free will and harmony does true beauty and order emerge. Jacob embodies that equilibrium.
Resources & Credits
The Weekly Wisdom emails and the ideas presented herein are compiled from the following sources:
Gutnick Edition Chumash with Rashi's commentary, Targum Onkelos, and commentary anthologized from Classic Rabbinic Texts and the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Apples from the Orchard - Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria on the Weekly Torah Portion
Kabbalistic Bible - Kabbalah Centre International, Inc
The Zohar - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, various translations
Mysteries of the Kabbalah - Marc-Alain Ouaknin
Wikipedia
Other online written and video content that discusses and shares Kabbalistic Wisdom