יעקב אבינו

Jacob is the chosen one of the patriarchs, and from him alone came the entire people of Israel, the twelve tribes. Already in the womb he struggled with his twin brother Esau, and as he emerged he grasped his heel, and so was named Yaakov. The two were opposites: Esau a man of the field and the hunt, and Jacob 'a wholesome man dwelling in tents' (Genesis 25), a man of truth and study.

In his youth he bought the birthright from Esau for a pot of lentils, and in his father's old age he received, by his mother's counsel and by stratagem, the firstborn's blessing that was meant for him (Genesis 27). For this he had to flee his brother's fury, and here began the journey of suffering that shaped him.

Fleeing on his way, one night at Bethel, he dreamed of a ladder set on the earth whose top reached the heavens, with angels ascending and descending on it, and God standing over him promising: 'behold, I am with you and will guard you wherever you go' (Genesis 28). The promise accompanied him through all his exile.

Twenty years he worked for Laban the Aramean deceiver, married Leah and Rachel, built a family under constant exploitation, and left with great wealth but also with scars. On his return, the night before meeting Esau, he wrestled with an angel until dawn, and prevailed, and his name was changed to Israel, 'for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed' (Genesis 32).

The hardest test of all was the loss of Joseph. For twenty-two years he mourned his beloved son who had been sold (Genesis 37), until he learned that he was alive and ruling in Egypt, and went down to him and merited to see him. At the end of his days he blessed his twelve sons, each according to his way (Genesis 49), laying the foundation of the tribes of Israel.

Jacob teaches that truth prevails through suffering, and that even a life full of struggle, flight and exile can build a nation. His bed was whole and faithful, and after him we are called the Children of Israel to this day.