Happy Moon! Chodesh Tov! In this week's episode we'll explore Jacob's dream of the ladder, which is an absolute centerpiece of Jewish spirituality.

Below are some of the life lessons we can learn from it, according to our spiritual teachers.

Start of the parsha: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.28.10-32.3?lang=bi&aliyot=0

When we unify ourselves with the "lowest level of existence" then our consciousness can expand infinitely: https://www.sefaria.org/Toldot_Yaakov_Yosef%2C_Vayetzei.17?vhe=Eichen_edition._Jerusalem,_2011&lang=bi

When we engage with worldly and material matters, let our consciousness be connected to the infinite heavens: https://www.sefaria.org/Ben_Porat_Yosef%2C_Vayetzei.257?vhe=Eichen_edition._Jerusalem,_2011&lang=bi

To grow, we have to face steeper opposition than we ever have before, and to fail / fall. Awareness (Da'at) will help us realize that an apparent fall is really just a part of the process of growth. Just like the angels, rising and falling is a part of our service.
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Choshen_Mishpat%2C_Laws_of_Gifting.4.12?vhe=Likutei_Halachot:_Choshen_Mishpat_2&lang=bi

Hashem is everywhere, even in the places of our shame / suffering etc
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Orach_Chaim%2C_Laws_for_Afternoon_Prayer.7.90?vhe=Likutei_Halachot:_Orach_Chaim_2&lang=bi

Life is going to be full of ups and downs, it's natural - try to expect this, and to cultivate equanimity around it:
https://www.sefaria.org/Likutei_Halakhot%2C_Yoreh_Deah%2C_Laws_of_Sending_Away_the_Mother_Bird.5.10.1?vhe=Likutei_Halachot:_Yoreh_Deah_2&lang=bi

A powerful way to embody the ladder, which is rooted in the ground and reaches to infinity, is to speak the truth. The voice is created by our humble and physical human body, yet when we speak the truth, it reaches infinite heights, and can bring us up with it.

Thank you for listening to The Spirit of the Torah from Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS) - https://www.appliedjewishspirituality.org/

In every episode, Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein explores insights arising from the Hebrew calendar or our weekly Torah portion, and related practices that can help us to effect positive change in our lives.

The intro and outro music is Shiviti by Dreamers - https://linktr.ee/dreamersmusic

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