Spiritual Gems from the parsha

A ladder was standing on the ground and the top of it reached to heaven. (Gen 28:12)

The Hebrew word for ladder (sulam) has the same numerical value as money (mamon). This teachers us that money is like a ladder - it can be used to ascend and come closer to the heavens, or with it one can descend to the depths. Everything depends on how we use it and for what purpose.

(The Baal Shem Tov)

The man [Isaac] became great, and grew more and more... (Gen. 23:13)

It is common that as a person becomes richer, the person within him becomes smaller and smaller. The greatness of Isaac was that even though he became more and more wealthy, he increased and expanded in his qualities as a person.

(Rabbi Yitzchak of Torchow)

Isaac had grown old and his eyesight was failing. (Gen. 27:1)

Rashi explained that Isaac's eyesight was failing him so that Jacob could receive the blessing. In order to assure that Jacob would receive the blessing was it necessary for Isaac's eyesight to fail him? Wouldn't it have been "easier" for G-d to have revealed to Isaac that Esau was wicked and therefore undeserving of the blessing? However, G-d didn't want to speak badly about Esau. If this is true concerning the wicked Esau, all the more must we be extremely careful not to gossip about or slander any Jew.

(The Lubavitcher Rebbe)