#Shabbat rituals Vayetzei: how awesome is this place?

Why not bring a piece of evolving Judaism into your week? Each Torah portion is so rich with so much to share! These small shabbat rituals are meant to be just a taste of Torah to connect with on Shabbat. Enjoy for yourself, or share at a Shabbat table near you.

בראשית כ״ח:ט״ז-י״ז

(טז) וַיִּיקַ֣ץ יַעֲקֹב֮ מִשְּׁנָתוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָכֵן֙ יֵ֣שׁ יְהוָ֔ה בַּמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְאָנֹכִ֖י לֹ֥א יָדָֽעְתִּי׃ (יז) וַיִּירָא֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר מַה־נּוֹרָ֖א הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה אֵ֣ין זֶ֗ה כִּ֚י אִם־בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְזֶ֖ה שַׁ֥עַר הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

Genesis 28:16-17

(16) Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely G-d is present in this place, and I did not know it!” (17) Shaken, he said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the dwelling place of G-d, and that is the gateway to heaven.”

Shabbat ritual:

In the Torah portion Vayetzei, Jacob is reminded (through a dream) that G-d is always with him. Sometimes we may find ourselves getting wrapped up in negativity. When everything feels as if it is unraveling, it may be hard to focus on positive aspects of life. When we are reminded of divinity, it allows us to feel more connected to our world. What can we find when we change our lens? What may appear when we allow ourselves to be open to the possibility of G-d's presence in our lives? What are the things/ places/ people that cause us to think: how awesome is this place? Think about the moments and people in your life that cause you to feel awe. מַה־נּוֹרָ֖א הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה? How awesome is this place?