Yaakov Avinu (Jacob) יעקב אבינו

Yaakov was the son of Yitzchak and Rivka and Esav's twin. The Torah calls him 'a wholesome man, dwelling in tents' (Bereishis 25:27). He bought the birthright from Esav and received Yitzchak's blessings (chs. 25, 27).

On the way to Lavan he dreamed of the ladder (28:10–22). At Lavan's he married Leah and Rochel (ch. 29) and had twelve sons and a daughter, Dina. He wrestled with an angel and his name became Yisroel (32:25–29).

After Yosef was sold and years of sorrow, Yaakov went down to Egypt (ch. 46). Before his death he blessed the tribes (ch. 49). He died at 147 (47:28) and was buried in the Machpela (50:13). Chazal say he instituted Maariv (Berachos 26b).