The Weekly Dvar Torah
Volume I Issue #26
The Journey of Yakov
Vayeitzei
Adapted from the wisdom of Rav Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk from the Meshech Chochmoh and Rav Tzadok HaCohen from Pri Tzadik and other works.
By Rav Yitzchak Schwartz Rosh Yeshiva Orchos Chaim Jerusalem
yschwartz@orchos.org.
This publication, Zichron Yehoshua, is in memory of Yehoshua Yakov ben Moshe-Jeffrey Nussbaum through a generous grant from Dr. Eric Nussbaum and family.
This issue is honor of Avraham Krietenberg the son of my dear friends Irv Krietenberg and family on the occasion of his bar mitzvah may Hashem bless him to be a source of great nachas to Hashem, his family, and klal Yisroel
The departure of Yakov from the land of Israel and the home of his beloved mother Rivka and father Yitzchak is described in uncharacteristically great detail in this week's Torah portion. The implication is that Yakov's journey contains crucial lessons from which we can draw wisdom and guidance relevant to our own lives. In verse 28:10 The Torah states that Yakov left his home and began his journey towards Haran where his uncle Lavan lived. This was pursuant to Yitzchak's explicit instructions to him in last week's parsha to travel to Rivka's homeland and marry one of his cousins from the daughters of his uncle Lavan.
Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk points out that our parsha initially relates that upon leaving his home, Yakov went towards Haran. However, later, in verse 29:1 the Torah informs us that Yakov directed his journey towards the land of "the people of the east". Why did Yakov seemingly change his destination to the land of "the people of the east"? Although the land of the east apparently also refers to Haran inasmuch as the latter is located to the east of the land of Israel, nonetheless, the fact that the Torah calls it by a different name certainly requires explanation.
In order to understand Rav Meir Simcha's answer to this question we first need some background information. We can imagine how Yakov must have felt when he was forced to leave the home of his saintly parents, due to his brother Esav's threat to kill him. The home that Yakov departed was no ordinary one. It was imbued with the values and teachings of Yitzchak and Rivka who were the holiest people in the world. They not only preached righteousness, they were living examples of it. No doubt, Yakov had hopes of eventually stepping into their shoes and continuing their sacred mission. Yakov must have been shattered upon receiving his parents' instructions to leave their home and go to live with his uncle Lavan. Lavan was a wicked and devious pagan, as clearly evidenced by the Machiavellian tactics he employed to control Yakov's life. Indeed the Medrash states that when Yakov left home, he was so devastated in spirit- he contemplated for a short moment that Hashem had abandoned him. Furthermore, our sages o'bm tell us that on his way towards Haran, Elifaz the son of Esav, accosted Yakov and was about to kill him. Yakov only escaped this peril by offering Elifaz all of his worldly possessions as a ransom. We can only imagine the melancholy feelings accompanying Yakov as he walked by foot toward Lavan's house with a broken spirit and completely destitute.
Given all of the above, it was only natural for Yakov to search for hope of even minor salvation. Yakov comforted himself that he was going Haran, the home of his mother where he would most certainly be warmly welcomed by his uncle's family. He hoped that they would act to him as is expected of family, i.e. that they would help him get back on his feet and begin a new life. In particular, Yakov thought about the possibility that one of his cousins would become his wife. This is the deeper meaning of the verse that tells us that Yakov's direction was towards Haran. Haran, in Yakov's mind, was a ray of light in a dark sky. Along the way Yakov stops to rest and is informed in a prophetic dream that Hashem promises to protect him wherever he would go. When Yakov awakes from the dream he continues his journey with an invigorated spirit. This is what the Torah is alluding to in verse 29:1 where it states "And Yakov lifted his legs and went to the land of the people of the east." He no longer put his hopes in his mother's family. His original destination, Haran, retained no significance after Hashem promised to protect him wherever he went. Yakov changed his mental direction, i.e. his mindset. Instead of depending on his family, connections, etc. he now put his trust totally in Hashem. His journey eastward was not a physical change in destination but rather a change in perspective on his life. He no longer felt alone, abandoned and impoverished. He was with Hashem every step of the way. He was confident that Hashem would lead and guide him successfully through all the challenges that his future would bring.
At times, important events in our lives occur, which create difficult and trying situations for us. When these problems arise, we tend to look for human based solutions. We seek comfort in the belief that so – and – so, or something – or – other will be able to help us. Yakov's sojourn teaches us that when faced with new and difficult challenges we should first and foremost turn to Hashem as our guide and place our fullest trust in Him, and Him alone. Eventually He will bring us to the right people, the right place, and at the right time.
By Rav Yitzchak Schwartz Rosh Yeshiva Orchos Chaim Jerusalem
yschwartz@orchos.org.
This publication, Zichron Yehoshua, is in memory of Yehoshua Yakov ben Moshe-Jeffrey Nussbaum through a generous grant from Dr. Eric Nussbaum and family.
This issue is honor of Avraham Krietenberg the son of my dear friends Irv Krietenberg and family on the occasion of his bar mitzvah may Hashem bless him to be a source of great nachas to Hashem, his family, and klal Yisroel
The departure of Yakov from the land of Israel and the home of his beloved mother Rivka and father Yitzchak is described in uncharacteristically great detail in this week's Torah portion. The implication is that Yakov's journey contains crucial lessons from which we can draw wisdom and guidance relevant to our own lives. In verse 28:10 The Torah states that Yakov left his home and began his journey towards Haran where his uncle Lavan lived. This was pursuant to Yitzchak's explicit instructions to him in last week's parsha to travel to Rivka's homeland and marry one of his cousins from the daughters of his uncle Lavan.
Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk points out that our parsha initially relates that upon leaving his home, Yakov went towards Haran. However, later, in verse 29:1 the Torah informs us that Yakov directed his journey towards the land of "the people of the east". Why did Yakov seemingly change his destination to the land of "the people of the east"? Although the land of the east apparently also refers to Haran inasmuch as the latter is located to the east of the land of Israel, nonetheless, the fact that the Torah calls it by a different name certainly requires explanation.
In order to understand Rav Meir Simcha's answer to this question we first need some background information. We can imagine how Yakov must have felt when he was forced to leave the home of his saintly parents, due to his brother Esav's threat to kill him. The home that Yakov departed was no ordinary one. It was imbued with the values and teachings of Yitzchak and Rivka who were the holiest people in the world. They not only preached righteousness, they were living examples of it. No doubt, Yakov had hopes of eventually stepping into their shoes and continuing their sacred mission. Yakov must have been shattered upon receiving his parents' instructions to leave their home and go to live with his uncle Lavan. Lavan was a wicked and devious pagan, as clearly evidenced by the Machiavellian tactics he employed to control Yakov's life. Indeed the Medrash states that when Yakov left home, he was so devastated in spirit- he contemplated for a short moment that Hashem had abandoned him. Furthermore, our sages o'bm tell us that on his way towards Haran, Elifaz the son of Esav, accosted Yakov and was about to kill him. Yakov only escaped this peril by offering Elifaz all of his worldly possessions as a ransom. We can only imagine the melancholy feelings accompanying Yakov as he walked by foot toward Lavan's house with a broken spirit and completely destitute.
Given all of the above, it was only natural for Yakov to search for hope of even minor salvation. Yakov comforted himself that he was going Haran, the home of his mother where he would most certainly be warmly welcomed by his uncle's family. He hoped that they would act to him as is expected of family, i.e. that they would help him get back on his feet and begin a new life. In particular, Yakov thought about the possibility that one of his cousins would become his wife. This is the deeper meaning of the verse that tells us that Yakov's direction was towards Haran. Haran, in Yakov's mind, was a ray of light in a dark sky. Along the way Yakov stops to rest and is informed in a prophetic dream that Hashem promises to protect him wherever he would go. When Yakov awakes from the dream he continues his journey with an invigorated spirit. This is what the Torah is alluding to in verse 29:1 where it states "And Yakov lifted his legs and went to the land of the people of the east." He no longer put his hopes in his mother's family. His original destination, Haran, retained no significance after Hashem promised to protect him wherever he went. Yakov changed his mental direction, i.e. his mindset. Instead of depending on his family, connections, etc. he now put his trust totally in Hashem. His journey eastward was not a physical change in destination but rather a change in perspective on his life. He no longer felt alone, abandoned and impoverished. He was with Hashem every step of the way. He was confident that Hashem would lead and guide him successfully through all the challenges that his future would bring.
At times, important events in our lives occur, which create difficult and trying situations for us. When these problems arise, we tend to look for human based solutions. We seek comfort in the belief that so – and – so, or something – or – other will be able to help us. Yakov's sojourn teaches us that when faced with new and difficult challenges we should first and foremost turn to Hashem as our guide and place our fullest trust in Him, and Him alone. Eventually He will bring us to the right people, the right place, and at the right time.