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THE LAST ANGEL'S FALL
GENESIS 22:12.
Source: Tanchuma 2
Yaakov saw in his dream angels going up and down a ladder. There were 4 angels, each corresponding to one of the Exiles. Their ascent meant that their kingdom would grow, and their descent that they would eventually fall.
The first angel went up 70 steps and then came down. This was the angel of Bavel, which ruled over us for 70 years and then disappeared. Second was the angel of Madai, which went up 52 steps and came down; then the angel of Yavan, which went up 180 steps and came down. This is because they were to rule for 52 and 180 years.
But the angel of Edom -- our present exile - went up and Yaakov didn't see it come down. He became frightened and asked Hashem, "Does this mean that the Geulah will never come?!
Hashem answered, "The last exile will be very long, but don't be afraid. I Myself will bring him down and the Geulah will come!"
HASHEM STANDS WITH MASHIACH
GENESIS 22:13.
Sources: Midrash Rabah 68:14. Daniel 2:44
Our Sages tells us that Yaakov's dream, which hinted to the fall of the nations and the end of exile, was just like another famous dream. This was the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, described in the book of Daniel. In his dream, there was a large metal statue, which represented the nations which would rule over the Bnei Yisrael. He then saw a large stone smash the statue to dust. The stone then became a large mountain which covered the entire world.
The stone represents Melech HaMashiach, as Daniel said, "Hashem will make a kingdom stand which will never be destroyed and which will last forever."
This is also the meaning of the verse, "And behold, Hashem stood over him" (Beraishis 22:13). This refers to Hashem making the kingdom of Melech HaMoshiach stand firmly, may it come speedily in our days!
THE THIRD BAIS HAMIKDASH - FOREVER
GENESIS 28:11.
Source: Abarbanel
In describing Yaakov's dream, the Torah writes, "And he came to the place and spent the night there because the sun went down; he took some stones from the place and put them at his head, and he lied down on that place." Why does the Torah write the word, "the place," three times?
The place spoken about is Mt. Moriah, where the Akedah of Yitzchak took place and where the Bais Hamikdash was later to be built. The three repetitions hint to the three Batei Hamikdashos.
The first time ("he came to the place and spent the night there because the sun went down") hints to the first Bais Hamikdash, and
the darkness corresponds to its destruction.
The second time ("and he took some stones from the place, and placed them at his head") hints to the second Bais Hamikdash. Because the second Bais Hamikdash had only "some" of the holiness of the first Bais Hamikdash, the verse says, "some stones," instead of "the stones."
The third time ("and he lied down on that place") corresponds to the 3rd Bais Hamikdash. This is because the 3rd Bais Hamikdash will stand forever, and we will finally merit to rest and serve Hashem in eternal peace. May Hashem bring us the third Bais Hamikdash now!
UFARATZTA
GENESIS 28:14.
Sources: Agadas Bereishis ch. 64. Likutei Sichos, I:168
Hashem promised Yaakov that he will, "Spread abroad (ufaratzta) to the west, to the east, to the north and to the south." The word ufaratzia means that one goes beyond what is regularly done. This means that one should learn much more Torah than usual.
The word ufaratzta comes from the word poretz, which refers to Mashiach. Through learning more Torah -- even at home when it's not the regular time for learning -- we will bring Mashiach even faster.
REWARD FOR JOY: GEULAH!
GENESIS 28:21.
Sources: Beraishis Rabah 70:6. Yefei To'ar
After Yaakov awoke from his dream, he promised that if Hashem protects him in Charan and helps him return, then, "And it will be (v'haya) that Hashem will be my G-d." When Yaakov said this, he used the word, "v'haya," which our Sages tell us indicates a feeling of joy. Yaakov was therefore expressing his joy at the prospect of being able to return to Eretz Yisrael and serve Hashem.
Hashem answered that He would take the words of Yaakov and make them the key to all the blessings and promises of the Geulah. All these blessings also begin with the word, "v'haya":
* "And it will be on that day, that living waters shall flow from Yerushalayim." (Zechariah 14:8)
* "And it will be on that day, that Hashem shall again, a second time, stretch forth His arm." (Yeshayahu 11:11)
* "And it will be on that day, that wine will drip from the mountains." (Yoel 4:18)
* "And it will be on that day, that a great shofar will be blown." (Yeshayahu 27:13)
REVEALED, THEN CONCEALED
GENESIS 29:30.
Sources: Midrash Rabah 70:20. Yefei To'ar Hashalem
Yaakov spent 7 years working for the wicked Lavan in order to marry Rachel. After he finally got married (to Leah), he had to work another 7 years for Rachel. Only after all this was he able to leave.
Everything that happened to the Avos happens to us, their children. And just as Yaakov had ups and downs -- 1) a difficult time, 2) a
better time, and 3) another difficult time -- before he was free from Lavan, so too with the past Redemption from Egypt and the final
Geulah.
In Egypt, they had bitter, difficult lives as slaves. Then things became better: Moshe was born, grew up, and told everyone Hashem's
promise that they were coming out of exile. But what happened then? Things got worse and they had to work even harder. But finally their Geulah came.
The same with Mashiach. Our Sages told us that we will be in Galus, but that Mashiach will be born and even come to redeem us. But then things will get worse, and that is the most painful thing of all. But the Geulah will come soon after!
NAMES OF GEULAH
GENESIS 29:34.
Source: Tanchuma, Shmos 3
All the sons of Yaakov were given names having to do with Geulah. Some were connected with the Geulah from Egypt, and others with the Geulah of Mashiach. Some of them are:
* Levi -- "On that day, many nations will become bound (nilvu) to Hashem." (Zechariah 2:15)
* Yehudah -- "On that day you will say, `Hashem, thank you (odcha) for being angry at me.' " (Yeshayahu 12:1)
* Zevulum -- "I have built for You a House of Dwelling (bais zevul)." (Melachim I, 8:13)
* Binyamin -- "Hashem swore with His right hand (biyamino)." [that there will be no more Galus] (Yeshayahu 62:8)
* Asher -- "All the nations will praise (ishru) you." (Malachi 3:12)
* Yosef -- "Hashem will again (yosif) stretch forth His hand a second time." (Yeshayahu 11:11)
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