Rabbi Kari Tuling: Vayeitzei Growth Requires Truth

Rabbi Tuling writes about Jacob’s resiliency; he goes to sleep destitute, using a rock as a pillow. He wakes up with a dream of blessing and divine promise, which gives him hope to continue his journey. She describes Jacob as passive, rather than deceptive and tricky—he allows his mother to manipulate him and Laban to take advantage of him. How does he rise about family patterns?

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Vayetse The Character of Jacob

Jacob is first described as a simple man, yet he is not at all simple. While Midrash portrays him as “all-good” and Esau as “all-bad”, Jacob tricked his brother and, with his mother, deceived his father. Later, Laban deceives him on his wedding night. The deception continues, yet Jacob became rich. Please follow the link below to read Rabbi Sacks’ perspective on who Jacob was: