Part I - Ya'akov's Neder

Introduction
God appeared to Avraham & Yitzchak several times in Sefer Breishit. In our shiurim, we have shown how a distinct aspect (or stage) of the "bechira" process unfolds with each "hitgalut."

Now, at the beginning of Parshat Va'yetze, we find God's first "hitgalut" to Yaakov (see 28:10-17). Even though God's promise in this "hitgalut" echoes His earlier promises to Avraham and Yitzchak, Yaakov's reaction differs drastically from that of his predecessors - he makes a "neder."

To understand why, we must first consider Yaakov's predicament before God appears to him at Bet-el.

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