What is ya'akov?

Ya'akov (Jacob) is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and is considered one of the patriarchs of the Israelite people. He was the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the grandson of Abraham and Sarah. Ya'akov had twelve sons, who became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Ya'akov is known for his cunning and trickery, as he deceived his brother Esau to gain their father's blessing and inheritance. He also had a complicated relationship with his uncle Laban, whom he worked for in exchange for marrying his daughters Rachel and Leah.

Ya'akov had several encounters with God, including a dream in which he saw a ladder reaching up to heaven with angels ascending and descending. He also wrestled with a divine being, who gave him the name Israel.

Ya'akov lived to be 147 years old and was buried in the cave of Machpelah in Hebron alongside his parents and grandparents. His story is told in the book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible.