Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'this is no other than the house of God' mean in Genesis 28:17?
A: When Yaakov (Jacob) says 'this is no other than the house of God,' he is recognizing that the place where he had his dream of the ladder was a holy site. According to Rashi, this place was Har HaMoriah (the Temple Mount in Jerusalem), the future location of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). Yaakov understood it was a place where divine presence was strongly felt.
Q: Why did Yaakov say 'this is the gate of heaven' in Genesis 28:17?
A: Yaakov called it 'the gate of heaven' because he saw in his dream a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28:12). The Midrash explains that this place was a spiritual gateway where prayers ascend to heaven, making it a unique point of connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Q: Why was Yaakov afraid in Genesis 28:17?
A: Yaakov was afraid because he suddenly became aware that he was standing in a place of immense holiness—'the house of God.' According to Ramban (Nachmanides), his fear came from realizing he had slept in such a sacred place without proper reverence at first. This teaches us the importance of recognizing and respecting holy spaces.
Q: How does Genesis 28:17 relate to the Temple in Jerusalem?
A: Traditional Jewish sources (like Rashi and the Talmud) identify the place where Yaakov slept as Har HaMoriah, the future site of the First and Second Temples. His statement 'this is the house of God' is seen as a prophecy that this location would later become the central place of worship for the Jewish people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yaakov's reaction in Genesis 28:17?
A: Yaakov's awe teaches us to recognize and respect moments and places of holiness in our lives. The Talmud (Berachot 16b) derives from this that one should pray in a place that feels spiritually significant. Just as Yaakov sanctified the place by pouring oil on it (Genesis 28:18), we too should elevate physical spaces by using them for divine purposes.
Yaakov's Recognition of the Sanctity of the Place
The verse (Bereishit 28:17) describes Yaakov's reaction upon awakening from his dream of the ladder. Rashi explains that Yaakov's fear stemmed from his realization that he had slept in such a holy place, as Mount Moriah—the future site of the Beit HaMikdash—was a place where one normally should not sleep due to its sanctity. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 69:7) adds that Hashem had "folded" the entire Land of Israel under Yaakov, indicating that he was lying on the site of the future Temple.
"This is None Other Than the House of God"
Ramban (Nachmanides) comments that Yaakov understood this location was uniquely designated for divine service, as it was the place where Avraham had bound Yitzchak (the Akeidah) and where the Divine Presence would later dwell in the Beit HaMikdash. The Sforno emphasizes that Yaakov recognized this as a place where prayers ascend directly to heaven—hence his description of it as "the gate of heaven."
The Dual Nature of the Site
Yaakov's Response as a Model
The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 2:2) derives from this episode that one who enters a holy place must approach with awe, as Yaakov demonstrated. The Or HaChaim highlights how Yaakov's immediate reaction—first fear, then recognition of holiness—teaches the proper attitude when encountering divine sanctity: reverence preceding understanding.
Eschatological Significance
Malbim connects this verse to the future Third Temple, noting that Yaakov's proclamation establishes this location's eternal status as the meeting point between heaven and earth. This aligns with the Talmudic statement (Pesachim 88a) that all prayers ascend through this "gate of heaven" in Jerusalem.