“Ufaratzta (you shall break through; spread out) to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. . .”

-Vayeitzei 28:14

This verse may be said to allude to the Messianic era when “the Land of Israel will extend over all the countries [of the world]” (Sifre, Devarim 1). That is, the whole world-“to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south”-will ascend to the present sanctity of the Land of Israel, and the Land of Israel itself will ascend to the present level of the higher sanctity of Jerusalem.

In practical terms, this verse teaches us that in our present days we have to serve G‑d in a manner of ufaratzta-that is, without any restrictions and limitations, in the sense of “You shall love G‑d ... with all your might” (Va’etchanan 6:5). Thus we shall hasten the coming of Moshiach, of whom it is said: “The poretz (the one who breaks through; i.e., the one who clears all obstacles and barriers) is gone up before them” (Michah 2:13).