Parashat Vayetzei 5783

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

In this week’s Torah reading, Parashat Vayetzei, Jacob has a dream, where angels are ascending and descending on a ladder towards heaven. God promises him that his descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth and will extend in all directions. God promises to protect Jacob. Jacob wakes up and he says, “Surely God is present in this place, and I did not know it!”  It always reminds me of the V8 commercial, where the person hits their head and says, “I should have had a V8!”  Have you ever felt that way – that God is present, and you just need to become more aware of God’s presence? Often in the most mundane places – like Jacob sleeping on a rock, we should be aware of God’s presence, for God is always with us. May we all have the privilege to say, “God is surely in this place – and I do know it!”  Chazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous!