The Fulfillment of Yaakov's Dream

by HaRav Dov Begon
Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir

Yaakov was facing difficult times. Relentlessly pursued by Eisav, who wished to kill him, he left his parents’ home in Be’er Sheva for the exile of Charan, alone and bereft of possessions. Along the way, he had a good dream. In his dream, he saw “G-d standing over him” (Ber. 28:13), “to protect him” (Rashi). G-d promised him, “I will give to you and your descendants the land upon which you are lying” (Ber 28:13). G-d folded the whole Land of Israel under him, hinting that it would be as easy to conquer as four cubits. (Rashi, Ibid.). And G-d further promised, “Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth. You shall spread out to the west, to the east, to the north, and to the south. All the families on earth will be blessed through you and your descendants” (v. 14).

Regarding Yaakov's bleak situation just then, G-d said, “I am with you. I will protect you wherever you go and bring you back to this soil” (v. 15).

Yaakov's remarkable dream is the dream of the Jewish People which has accompanied us throughout all the generations, even in the darkest and most difficult periods of our bitter and gloomy exile. In times of destruction, pogroms, and the Holocaust, Jews never ceased to believe in the fulfillment of Jacob’s dream.

There indeed were, and continue to be, some who try to blot out the dream. They think that by doing so they stop the Jews from continuing their goal of returning to their land and fulfilling their destiny -- which is to bring light and goodness to the world. All the same, “many are the thoughts in man’s heart, but it is the council of G-d that will come to pass” (Mishlei 19:21).

Right now, “with G-d bringing back the return of Zion, we are like dreamers” (Tehilim 126:1). Our generation is privileged to see the ingathering of the exiles. We are already living Yaakov's dream in a wakeful state, as in G-d’s promise, “I will bring you back to this soil” (Ber 28:15). It is no dream. It is already a reality. The day is not far off when we will see as well the promise made to both Avraham and Yaakov: “All the families on earth will be blessed through you and your descendants” (v. 14).

Looking forward to salvation,
With the Love of Israel,
Shabbat Shalom.