[youtube url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OJLF6PmxicU&feature=youtu.be”]<\/p>\n
Have you ever felt that when you pray the Lord God ignores your prayers, or, do you feel as if your prayers bounce off the ceiling?\u00a0 We have been told that the Lord knows what we need even before we ask.\u00a0 (Matthew 6:8<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 If the Lord already knows what we want, why is prayer necessary in the first place?\u00a0 Why do we need to pray?\u00a0 If we are serious about our faith, then prayer is an essential part of our lives and our relationship with the Lord.\u00a0 Do you believe praying in the name of Jesus guarantees your prayers are heard and answered?\u00a0 Is this what we are taught according to the Scriptures?\u00a0 King Solomon said in Mishley \/ Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Based upon Solomon\u2019s assessment, if we are living in sin, the Lord will not hear our prayers. (See also David\u2019s opinion on this in Tehillim \/ Psalms 66:18<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 It is important to understand that the Lord is always in the process of teaching us.\u00a0 When life is suddenly full of inconveniences being thrown our way, stop and ask, \u201cIs the Lord trying to get my attention?\u201d\u00a0 When the problems are larger than minor inconveniences i.e. an auto accident or financial stress, then the Lord God may be calling out to us on a different level saying there is something deep within that you need to rectify.\u00a0\u00a0 Consider the words of the Apostle James and Peter; James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (NASB)<\/span><\/em> and\u00a0 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Based upon these Scriptures, is there more to the Lord hearing our prayers than simply speaking to Him?\u00a0 In this week\u2019s Torah Portion, it appears as if Jacob very carefully chose his path based upon his faith for a place to rest and lay down to sleep. (Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:1<\/span><\/em>, \u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05ea\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e2\u05b7\u05df:)\u00a0 As a result, he met with God and the Lord confirmed the covenant He had sworn to his fathers, Abraham and Isaac.\u00a0 The key to hearing from the Lord was founded upon his faithfulness to the covenant of God that is related to his walking in God\u2019s ways.\u00a0 Does this remain an important aspect of our lives today in Yeshua the Messiah?<\/p>\n This week we are looking at Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:10-19<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:10-19<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u05d9\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05e6\u05b5\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05df \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b6\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0: \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05e1\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05bb\u05e6\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9 \u05de\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b9\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b9\u05e8\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9: \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e6\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05db\u05b5\u05d1 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d9\u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b8\u05e7\u05b5\u05d3\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05e4\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d8\u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e2\u05b1\u05d6\u05b8\u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b4\u05b9\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05da\u05b0: \u05d8\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7\u05b7\u05e5 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b5\u05df \u05d9\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d9\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4-\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: \u05d9\u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05df \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b9\u05e7 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05de\u05b6\u05df \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc: \u05d9\u05d8\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dd-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05d6 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dd-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In these verses we are told how Jacob recognized the awesomeness of this place in which he had laid down. (\u05d9\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4-\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: 28:17 He was afraid and said, \u2018How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.\u2019 NASB<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 This seems to be apparent in the way in which the MT speaks about His choice to stop for the night in Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:11<\/span><\/em> which states the following: \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05a8\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u059c\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05a4\u05dc\u05b6\u05df \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd\u0599 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d1\u05b8\u05a3\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b6\u0594\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u0599 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u0596\u05e9\u05c2\u05b6\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05bd\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u0591\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u0596\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05bd\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0\u05c3 He came upon a certain place and stopped there for the night, for the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of that place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Three times the word \u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u059c\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd is mentioned in this verse according to the Hebrew text.\u00a0 This is meant to draw our attention to the significance of this place in the sense that this is a holy place of God.\u00a0 The reason this place is so significant is because of the Torah connections to \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd and the place in which the Lord God of Israel would establish His name and be the central location in which the Word of God would be sent into all of the world.\u00a0 Because of these things the rabbis have a significant amount to say concerning this verse.<\/p>\n Rashi on Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:11 Part 1<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Rashi states that the word \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd refers to the holy place on Mount Moriah.\u00a0 The Scripture speaks of the place that he saw afar off.\u00a0 This is important since Abraham and Isaac would have explained to Jacob and Esau what the Lord had done in this place, the miracle of Isaac\u2019s deliverance from being a sacrifice and the concepts of the resurrection from the dead.\u00a0 The Lord providing a substitute for Isaac would have been synonymous to raising him who was as if dead laying upon the altar.<\/p>\n Daat Zkenim on Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:11 Part 1<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Daat Zkenim states that it was at this place he had determined to pray intensely.\u00a0 It is believed at this point Jacob established the daily Ma\u2019ariv (evening) prayer time.\u00a0 The commentary states that this was a place (\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd) known to him that was suitable for prayer.\u00a0 The commentator draws in the context of Jeremiah 7:16 \u05d8\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc | \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d1\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05e8\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05e4\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05da\u05b0: 7:16 \u2018As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 What is interesting based upon Jeremiah 7:16, praying for others should be directed towards their repentance and turning from sin.\u00a0 This should be coupled to the prayer for their needs.<\/p>\n Radak on Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:11 Part 1<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Part 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Radak claims that the reason Jacob chose to stop in this location was because this place was \u201cknown\u201d<\/span><\/em> as a place for travelers to spend the night.\u00a0 Why do you think Radak claims this is a common place as opposed to focussing upon the holiness of this place?\u00a0 It is very likely that this was the place known as the place where the Lord had called Abraham to Akedat Yitzchak (\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b5\u05d9\u05d3\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e7).\u00a0 Radak says that Jacob decided not to enter the town that was in near proximity of his location but instead chose one of the stones to be used as his pillow to lay down.<\/p>\n Kli Yakar on Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:11 Part 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Kli Yakar states that this location is \u201cThe Place\u201d<\/span><\/em> of the world which contains the foundation stone upon which the world was founded (created).\u00a0 This draws in the connection to Jacob choosing a stone in that place to lay his head upon.\u00a0 The commentator speaks of the holy place and the future Temple where the windows, their construction, was for the purpose of showing the light (righteousness) of God unto the world, as opposed to a standard home whose windows are designed to bring the light from outside in.\u00a0 The light of this holy place is emphasized by the statement, \u201cYa\u2019akov sensed that this would be the place of the Holy Temple when he saw that the sun set upon him before its proper time, because this holy place dims the sphere of the sun and does not require the sun.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The general consensus based upon this short survey of the rabbis is in the interpretations for making a case for this holy place, that is connected to a special place, of prayer, of righteousness, of holiness, of justice, and of truth, and a place where the Lord speaks to His people.\u00a0 These things are connected to the covenant in which the Lord has made with Jacob; note how Jacob is walking in faith (Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:1, \u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05ea\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e2\u05b7\u05df:) and with us in the Messiah Yeshua.\u00a0 The requirements of the covenant may be illustrated by the way the Lord speaks to Ezekiel according to Ezekiel 22:1-31.<\/p>\n Ezekiel 22:1-31<\/span><\/em><\/strong> In relation to having our prayers answered, are you involved in any of these things?\u00a0 Murders in thought or in deed, Idolatry, witchcraft, lying, deception, oppressing others, profaning God\u2019s name, His holy day, not discerning between clean and unclean, living in unrighteousness and robbery, being unjust towards a neighbor or brother, etc?\u00a0 Do you think it is possible to have our prayers answered if these things are going on in our lives, or even in our hearts?\u00a0 One cannot simply put on a costume and pretend to be one thing one day a week, where in the end, deep down you are who you are.\u00a0 Dressing up the outside does not change the thing that you are on the inside.\u00a0 It is the Lord God of Israel, by the power of His Spirit within that is able to change us on the inside where what is required of us is to seek the Lord for this in repentance.\u00a0 These things are connected to this holy place, in which Jacob laid down.\u00a0 The place of God\u2019s rest involves holiness, righteousness, and justice, and this is why we are called to strive for purity and innocence in the Lord.\u00a0 Note what the Apostles believed concerning having prayer answered.<\/p>\n 1 Peter 3:7<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Peter believes the way we treat our spouses will result in answered or unanswered prayer.\u00a0 Note the significance of the context of Peter\u2019s words:<\/p>\n 1 Peter 3:4-14<\/span><\/em><\/strong> The context of Peter\u2019s words on answered prayer includes doing what is good (righteousness), do not lie (speaking deceit), and seeking peace.\u00a0 It is this kind of person the Lord seeks to hear his prayers (3:12<\/span><\/em>).<\/p>\n When it comes to marriage, God commands us to treat our wives with respect.\u00a0 In fact, He commands us to treat all humans with respect, which is a part of the greatest command to love our neighbor as ourselves.\u00a0 Based upon these Scriptures, our wives should receive an extra measure of good treatment which includes respect, consideration, kindness, and patience.\u00a0 A man should be treating his wife as a treasure that he cherishes, and it is within these things that our wives will listen and not ignore what we say.\u00a0 In real life, this is easier said than done, the reason being, the people closest to us are the ones we take for granted.\u00a0 Is this because we feel the most relaxed around our loved ones, which means we let our carnality (fleshly desires) show a lot more.\u00a0 Note how you would not speak badly to the boss of the company you work for, but you are more likely to say nasty things to your wife when she is getting on your nerves.\u00a0 We all have our set of flaws and insecurities, however, in the midst of these things, Peter tells us that regardless of these things, we are to maintain a certain level of righteous behavior towards our wives and in general, otherwise the Lord God is going to start stonewalling you in your prayer time.\u00a0 The same may be said of how we live our lives for the Lord God in heaven.\u00a0 We are going before the God of all creation, He is Holy and Righteous.\u00a0 To approach Him with a lack of reverence, and to minimize how we are called to walk before Him, while expecting to have our prayers answered, what do you think will happen?\u00a0 Now consider how our lives and our relationship with God is paralleled to a marriage between a bride and a groom.\u00a0 Can you see how the Lord has provided us with very practical applications, and examples on how to live for Him based upon Jacob\u2019s choices according to Parashat Vayetze (Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:11<\/span><\/em>)?\u00a0 This week\u2019s Torah portion connects \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd (The Place) of our hearts and out lives to that place in which the Lord God of Israel would establish His name to be the central location in which the Word of God would be sent forth into all of the world.\u00a0 This place of holiness, righteousness, and truth is in our hearts and in our lives!\u00a0 The place of God\u2019s rest is in our hearts, which is why we are called to strive for purity and innocence in the Lord.\u00a0 Though we fall short of God\u2019s commands, the most important thing is to repent, to seek the Lord from a repentant heart, and to strive to turn from our sin.\u00a0 This is a daily calling before God, and only then will our prayers be heard and answered.<\/p>\n
\n 28:10 Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 28:11 He came to a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head, and lay down in that place. 28:12 He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 28:13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, \u2018I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants. 28:14 \u2018Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 28:15 \u2018Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.\u2019 28:16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, \u2018Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.\u2019 28:17 He was afraid and said, \u2018How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.\u2019 28:18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. 28:19 He called the name of that place Bethel; however, previously the name of the city had been Luz. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n \u05d5\u05d9\u05e4\u05d2\u05e2 \u05d1\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd AND HE LIGHTED UPON THE PLACE \u2014 Scripture does not mention which place, but by writing \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd the place it refers to the place mentioned already in another passage, viz., Mount Moriah of which it is stated (Genesis 22:4) \u201cAnd he saw the place (\u05d4\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd) afar off\u201d.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n \u05d5\u05d9\u05e4\u05d2\u05e2 \u05d1\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd, \u201che prepared to pray intensely at a certain location (known to him as a suitable location for prayer);\u201d according to our author, these words mean that he prepared to offer a prayer, and that we find this expression for preparing to pray also in Jeremiah 7:16 i.e. \u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05ea\u05e4\u05d2\u05e2 \u05d1\u05d9, \u201cand do not pray to Me (on behalf of your people)\u201d According to the Talmud tractate B\u2019rachot, folio 26, Yaakov \u201cinvented\u201d the daily evening prayer preparing himself shortly before sunset before doing so. The recital of the k\u2019riyat shma is to await the visibility of three stars in the sky before it may be recited.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n \u05d9\u05e4\u05d2\u05e2 \u05d1\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd, while on his way Yaakov encountered one evening a site less than a day\u2019s walk from Beer Sheva. Since it was already evening, the sun having set, he decided to spend the night there as he was too tired to walk any further. The reason why the letter \u05d1 in \u05d1\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd is spelled with the vowel kametz, suggesting that the place was known, is that the location was known as a site where travelers from Beer Sheva would often spend the night.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n \u05d5\u05d9\u05e7\u05d7 \u05de\u05d0\u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d4\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd, one of the stones of the place, for he had not entered the town to spend the night there but preferred to spend the night in the open field.. To that end he placed the stone under his head to serve him as a pillow and lay down there.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n Another reason why it is called simply \u2018the place,\u2019 is because this is the place of the world. This is both because the foundation stone, from which the world was founded, is located there, and that even now the whole world rests on it because from there the Divine abundance pours out to the world. Ya\u2019akov sensed that this would be the place of the Holy Temple when he saw that the sun set upon him before its proper time, because this holy place dims the sphere of the sun and does not require the sun. On the contrary – the sun needs it, as the Sages taught \u2018R\u2019 Avin said, we find that one who wants to make windows makes them wide on the inside and narrow on the outside in order to draw in the light from outside. But the windows of the Holy Temple were wide on the outside and narrow within \u2013 why? In order that the light would go out from the Temple and illuminate the world, as it says \u201c\u2026and the earth shone from His glory,\u201d (Yechezkiel 43:2) and it is written \u201cAs a Throne of Glory, exalted from the beginning, so is the place of our Sanctuary.\u201d (Yirmiyahu 17:12) See the version of this midrash in Yalkut parshat Tetzaveh 378. This is a proof that the sun does not light the Holy Temple, therefore the light of the sun dimmed immediately upon reaching this holy place, \u201c\u2026and it shall come to pass that at eventide it shall be light,\u201d (Zechariah 14:7) because Gd shined the supernal light from this holy place until He appeared to Yaakov in a vision that night.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 22:1 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 22:2 \u2018And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations. 22:3 \u2018You shall say, \u2018Thus says the Lord God, \u2018A city shedding blood in her midst, so that her time will come, and that makes idols, contrary to her interest, for defilement! 22:4 \u2018You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and defiled by your idols which you have made. Thus you have brought your day near and have come to your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations and a mocking to all the lands. 22:5 \u2018Those who are near and those who are far from you will mock you, you of ill repute, full of turmoil. 22:6 \u2018Behold, the rulers of Israel, each according to his power, have been in you for the purpose of shedding blood. 22:7 \u2018They have treated father and mother lightly within you. The alien they have oppressed in your midst; the fatherless and the widow they have wronged in you. 22:8 \u2018You have despised My holy things and profaned My sabbaths. 22:9 \u2018Slanderous men have been in you for the purpose of shedding blood, and in you they have eaten at the mountain shrines. In your midst they have committed acts of lewdness. 22:10 \u2018In you they have uncovered their fathers\u2019 nakedness; in you they have humbled her who was unclean in her menstrual impurity. 22:11 \u2018One has committed abomination with his neighbor\u2019s wife and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law. And another in you has humbled his sister, his father\u2019s daughter. 22:12 \u2018In you they have taken bribes to shed blood; you have taken interest and profits, and you have injured your neighbors for gain by oppression, and you have forgotten Me,\u2019 declares the Lord God. 22:13 \u2018Behold, then, I smite My hand at your dishonest gain which you have acquired and at the bloodshed which is among you. 22:14 \u2018Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong in the days that I will deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken and will act. 22:15 \u2018I will scatter you among the nations and I will disperse you through the lands, and I will consume your uncleanness from you. 22:16 \u2018You will profane yourself in the sight of the nations, and you will know that I am the Lord.\u2019\u2019\u2018 22:17 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 22:18 \u2018Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead in the furnace; they are the dross of silver. 22:19 \u2018Therefore, thus says the Lord God, \u2018Because all of you have become dross, therefore, behold, I am going to gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 22:20 \u2018As they gather silver and bronze and iron and lead and tin into the furnace to blow fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in My anger and in My wrath and I will lay you there and melt you. 22:21 \u2018I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you will be melted in the midst of it. 22:22 \u2018As silver is melted in the furnace, so you will be melted in the midst of it; and you will know that I, the Lord, have poured out My wrath on you.\u2019\u2018 22:23 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 22:24 \u2018Son of man, say to her, \u2018You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.\u2019 22:25 \u2018There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. 22:26 \u2018Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 22:27 \u2018Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. 22:28 \u2018Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, \u2018Thus says the Lord God,\u2019 when the Lord has not spoken. 22:29 \u2018The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice. 22:30 \u2018I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. 22:31 \u2018Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads,\u2019 declares the Lord God. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 3:5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 3:6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 3:8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 3:9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 3:10 For, \u2018The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 3:11 \u2018He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. 3:12 \u2018For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.\u2019 3:13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n