This portion, which contains Jacob’s famous dream of a ladder reaching the heavens, commences with the following verse: “And Jacob went out from Beer Sheva and he went towards Haran” (Genesis 28:10).
Rebbe Natan, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s closest disciple, explains this verse’s inner meaning and symbolism in the following manner. Since “Beer Sheva” literally means “Well of Seven” and the number seven represents process, progress, and the cycles of time, Jacob’s flight from Beer Sheva represents his attempt to climb from one spiritual level to another, to enter a new phase in life. The word “Haran,” his geographical destination, means “anger” in simple Hebrew, and in Kabbalistic terminology refers to the “shells” or obstacles blocking the path of anyone attempting to reach a new spiritual height. In other words, no matter how elevated a level we have reached, any time we seek to reach a new level of spiritual attainment we must be prepared to confront a whole new configuration of forces that will attempt to prevent us. This, says Rebbe Natan, was the situation Jacob faced when he left Beer Sheva. While the fear of having to face new obstacles every time we strive to achieve new spiritual heights may frighten us, ultimately this knowledge should infuse us with strength, for any new obstacles we face are a sign of our progress and can be overcome.
This idea can be applied microcosmically to the seven days of the week. As we leave each Shabbat infused with new inspiration and peace of mind, we are immediately confronted with the new challenges of the week. All week we strive to succeed, overcoming the inevitable daily obstacles and tests. The harder we work, both physically and spiritually, the more rewarding and peaceful the next Shabbat becomes. This insight can also be applied to Jacob’s dream, as climbing the ladder may be compared to overcoming spiritual obstacles and God standing at the top may be compared to reaching the next level of spiritual attainment.
Another connection between the opening verse and Jacob’s dream stems from the name of the place Jacob left, “Well of Seven.” A well is dug deep into the earth, so that the excavator can find and draw forth water. Water, as we have learned above, often symbolizes Torah. Jacob’s ladder, in contrast, is ascended, so that the climber can reach the heavens, or, quite literally, in Jacob’s dream, God. In spiritual terms there is a correlation between these two symbols, the well and the ladder, and between the processes of delving deeper and ascending higher. The deeper one delves to find the living waters of the Torah, the higher one climbs towards the goal of being near to God; the higher the soul ascends towards union with God, the deeper and more profoundly the soul’s possessor is able to integrate the Torah he or she has learned. The deeper one probes for the spark of God within, the higher one ascends in understanding God above; the higher one ascends in holiness and purity, the deeper one’s sense of humility becomes.
