God Appears Again to Jacob, Who Built an Altar

"And God appeared to Jacob again," and so on. Rabbi Yitzchak opened: "An altar of earth you shall make for Me," and so on (Exodus 20:21). If this one, who built an altar in My name, behold I am revealed to him and bless him, as it is written, "I will come to you and bless you" (same) - then Jacob, whose likeness is engraved on My throne, how much more so. Rabbi Levi opened: "and an ox and a ram for peace offerings," and so on, "Blessed are you in your coming in" (Deuteronomy 28:6) - when he came into the house of his father-in-law he was laden with blessings, "And God Almighty bless you"; when he went out from the house of his father-in-law he was laden with blessings, "And God appeared to Jacob," and so on. Rabbi Berechiah opened: "And you will decree a thing, and it will be established for you, and on your ways light will shine" (Job 22:28) - on your two ways: when he came into his father-in-law's house he was laden with blessings, when he went out from his father-in-law's house he was laden with blessings. "He confirms the word of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers" (Isaiah 44:26) - one angel was revealed to Jacob our father and said to him, He is destined to be revealed to you at Bethel and to change your name, and so on; Jerusalem, of which all the prophets prophesy, how much more so. "And God appeared to Jacob again" - as at the first; just as at the first by means of an angel, so the second time by means of an angel. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: "again" means, I do not single out My name upon a creature. (Genesis 35:11) "I am God Almighty, be fruitful and multiply" - meaning, they had not yet been fruitful and multiplied. The man is commanded concerning being fruitful and multiplying, [but the woman is not commanded concerning being fruitful and multiplying].