A Stairway to Heaven

A Stairway to Heaven

This episode can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/robert-williams-739128642/the-stairway-to-heaven-is-a-ladder

My parents, both a product of the 60’s and 70’s, are big fans of Led Zepplin. Rumor has it, I was able to sing all the lyrics to one of their songs before I could speak in full sentences. I don’t remember which song, but I do remember the time in Jr. High when I saved up my money and bought “Stairway to Heaven” sheet music to master on the piano; and how proud I was to perform it for my dad when he arrived home for a visit.

“There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold; and she’s buying a stairway to heaven…when she gets there, she’s told if the stores all are closed, with a word she can get what she came for...ooooooh, it makes me wonder…..” (the chord rif during the bridge is so fun to play!)

Speaking of bridges, and stairways, humans seem to have been desperately trying to reach heaven for most of history. A quick survey of ancient civilizations shows many things in common: an attempt to rise to the heavens to be where God is, via large buildings, long staircases, or psychedelics….(some things never change).

Parsha Vayetze has an “alternative” point of view about how to achieve the seemingly impossible connection with God. He is so distant, and yet He is here, now, and immediate; like the sound of your own heartbeat, that you take for granted, until one day it skips and you realize the silence is deafening.

He Sustains the Entire Universe with His Words

The Kabbalah teaches us that the four sections of Shacharit (the morning prayers in Judaism) are the ladder by which we can ascend into heaven and transport ourselves into the “throne room” of God [1]. Once we arrive at the top (just after completing the Amidah/Standing Prayer), it is then that we have the room to approach God about the things that are on our minds. For instance, perhaps we are in need of financial help, or wisdom; Guidance or peace. When we are before our Benevolent King, and have approached Him with the respect He is due, it is then we can “bend His ear” a bit, and have our own perspective on our lives transformed. We finish Shacharit descending back down the ladder, to return to the place where we are standing, only now we are changed.

I always feel a bit like Esther in that space, in awe of His magnificence...totally aware that I could be put to death for approaching Him uninvited. Overwhelmed, yet thankful. And, just like Esther, I have nowhere else to turn to solve my problems. They are truly in the King’s hands.

Jacob’s Ladder

Ya’acov (Jacob) has a dream during which he sees a ladder reaching to the heavens with Adonai standing at the top and angels ascending and descending [2].

In verses 13 through 15 He reminds Ya'acov that He is the God of our forefathers and He reiterates the promise of the land, many descendants, and protection. Trying to imagine myself in Ya'acov's shoes, it would have comforted me greatly to hear God repeat these words to me. I definitely would have trusted my father, Yitzhak, and my Grandfather, Avraham; but I may have wondered if I had “lost the inheritance” that I had tricked out of my brother’s hand [3]. Instead of heading off, just on the Blessing of Yitzhak, I imagine I would be strengthened, too, by hearing God confirm this blessing in His own words.

This promise, with three parts (a family, a land, a covenant) is the KEY to understanding all of scripture.

In verse 16 we read: וַיִּירָא֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר מַה־נּוֹרָ֖א הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה אֵ֣ין זֶ֗ה כִּ֚י אִם־בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְזֶ֖ה שַׁ֥עַר הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ Shaken, he said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven.”

So he erects an alter, and this site becomes the future site of the Temple.

In our siddur the Avinu [4] teaches us that our King is also our Father. This, too, comforts me. At times when I cannot ascend the ladder in proper order, He is Our Father, as well as Our King, and I can burst into the Throne Room and speak candidly. As any good Father, He loves the sound of our voices even if we don't approach him the proper way. Like any good Father, I assume the only sound He doesn't like is the sound of His kids bickering (or the sound of His kids worshipping the golden calf!).[5]

Not to make light of the Amidah. No, not at all! Shacharit is a blessing, and ascending the ladder of prayer puts a little of my “skin in the game” (because no sacrifice is truly meaningful unless it has costs us something)...However, I find it awkward sometimes, at shul, with a minyan, and we get to the top of the ladder ~ the silent Amidah ~ and you know: you don't want to be the first to sit down, but you don't want to be the last to sit down...and you have a lot on your mind (not to mention your tummy is starting to growl)...

The tune, “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John, made popular recently by the kids movie, “Sing” is so catchy, and so fun, I couldn’t help myself...I wrote to my friend, Catellyst May , and asked her to drum up a parody [6] about the awkwardness I can go through during the Amidah. Again, not to make light of the Ladder of Ya’akov at all, just poking a little fun at my incredible lack of focus...Enjoy!

[1]https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/658156/jewish/Jacobs-Ladder.htm [2] Gen 28:12-19 [3] Parsha Toldot [4]“The Avinu” is a prayer that begins with the phrase “Avinu Malkeinu” which means “Our Father, Our King” [5] Exodus 32:7-8 [6]https://soundcloud.com/catellyst-inc/the-amidah-elton-johns-im