Vayetze

Prayer is “a ladder set upon the earth whose head touches the heavens” (Genesis 28:12). Much like a ladder, prayer bridges the earthly realm with God in heaven. It is the means through which a person, though grounded in the mundane, can elevate themself and connect with God.” Yehuda Altein for www.chabad.org.

Avinu Malkeinu,

Reading this Torah portion has stirred things up inside my heart. As Jacob rested his head on Beit El, I pray that we would also find rest in the House of God. The vision Jacob had of a ladder connecting earth to heaven with messengers ascending and descending encourages me to be a conduit, bringing heaven, Your presence, Your will, and Your peace to earth and helping others ascend or draw near to You. Give me the courage, wisdom, and humility to be a pure conduit of Your love on earth.May we learn how to be shepherds, like Able, Abraham, Jacob, and Rachel, tending to the needs of others. Show us how giving our time, resources, and love away replenishes us and teaches us how to lead.Jacob dealt deceitfully with his father, causing the rest of his life to be sprinkled with deceit and manipulation, from Laban to his children, leading him to proclaim that his life was short and full of evil (Gn 47.9). Please help us to learn from Jacob’s life how to live honest lives, to steer clear of the witchcraft of manipulation, where we twist, distort, hide, or control words, elements, and circumstances to get our way. Guide each of us to the highest calling, which is to abide in Your truth and light, and to align so wholly with Your word that our words and actions flow from it. Lovingly draw us to vulnerability, accountability, and honesty, and help us walk face to face with each other and with You. Guard our lips from speaking harmful words and guard our hearts from others’ deceit. May you keep any seeds from being planted into our heart gardens that will not produce life.Thank You for teaching Jacob Your truth, for letting him wrestle with you, for blessing him, for protecting him, and for leading him to reconciliation. Thank you for helping him restore all that he had taken from his brother, Esau, for humbling himself before his brother in repentance, and for being with him as he did the hard thing and repaired what he had broken. May we also experience the peace that comes from reconciliation, and become ministers of reconciliation as Your word calls those who follow You (2 Cor 5.18).

Love,

Brianna