reflects the political fragmentation of the Slovenian lands throughout history; Slovenian speakers were split among several Hapsburg crown provinces, and unique forms of the colloquial language emerged in each of them.

In fact, when Primož Trubar consolidated the Slovenian language in the 16th century, he borrowed elements from various Slovenian dialects, and combined those elements with his native Lower Carniolan dialect, to create the first form of the written Slovenian language.

Today, standard Slovenian, the descendant of Trubar’s creation, serves as a lingua franca of sorts for people from different parts of the country. If it weren’t for the standard, the diversity of dialects would often make communication difficult. When some of the more obscure dialects are aired on Slovenian television, only subtitling ensures that other Slovenians understand them.night out in the open during his travels from Beersheba to the land of Haran. In his dreams he saw a great ladder with one end set on earth and the top reaching far into the heavens above. Jacob seemed to see the “angels of God” ascending and descending the ladder. As he looks higher up, he also seemed to see God Himself standing above it and heard Him promise that Jacob and his descendants would inherit the land where Jacob slept. Upon awakening, Jacob declared the ground sacred, arranged the stones he used for a pillow into a pillar and named the spot Bethel, which means house of God. (Genesis 28:10-19).

Like so many other stories in the Old Testament, for those who do not insist upon a