5786/2025
As יעקב is starting his journey running away from Eisav, he stops in the wilderness for a night and has a very unique and holy dream. “VaYachalom VeHinei Sulam Mutzav Artzah Veroshoh Magiah HaShamayma, VeHinei Malachei Elokim, Olim VeYordim Bo,” “He had a dream; a ladder was set on the ground and its top reached to the sky, and messengers of Hashem were going up and down on it” (BeReishit 28:12). Rashi notes that the words “Olim VeYordim” are in an unusual order, and interprets it as the “changing of the guards”. The angels of Eretz Yisrael cannot leave the land, so another set of angels come to protect Ya’akov.
The Chizkuni also beautifully comments on the words “Olim VeYordim Bo”. He says that the fact that the Torah said explicitly that the Angels first went up, then came down, and then stayed below, shows us something much deeper. If these Angels were only visiting the earth, then the Torah would have said they came down first then went up right away. But since it said they went up first and then returned below and stayed there, we can see there is something special. This place where Ya’akov was was meant to be Hashem’s house on earth. Angels only stay in the place where Hashem's Shechinah is going to rest. The Chizkuni also quote the Yerushalmi that says that the Angels went up to Hashem to receive their assignment, then came back down to protect Ya’akov and stay with him. These Angels show Ya’akov that this place where he was is chosen for Hashem. Now, they will accompany him on his upcoming journey.
I’d propose that another way of looking at it is that the angels of Eretz Yisrael are in continuous state of עליה, the term we use for settling in Israel, while the ones outside Israel are making ירידה and leaving the land. Ya'akov is the third generation of his family to dwell in Eretz Yisrael. His father Yitzchak remained in the land his entire life. During this time, there could be Angels perpetually ascending to Heaven, because Hashem’s presence and protection are so much more evident in the Land and in Hashem’s house. Outside of Eretz Yisrael it is more difficult to see what message Hashem is trying to convey to us. Ya’akov is forced to leave and doesn’t know what to expect, so he envisions a new set of Angels that come down during his ירידה from Eretz Yisrael so that he understand that Hashem is still protecting him and guiding him. Hashem has caused Ya’akov to lie down in this holy spot specifically to get this message across.
A powerful lesson we can take from this is that Hashem is always with us on whichever journey we go on and will make sure we are always in the right place at the right time. Ya’akov noticed that from the things in his dream, Hashem is there in his holy place and will protect us. Similarly, in our lives we need to be aware of what is around us, and what the holy moments in our lives are.