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Chassidut on the Torah |
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The week of Vayishlach, 5762 This Dvar Torah is dedicated in
honor of Mrs. Gloria Bierman who celebrates her birthday this week, in good
health!
Overview (Genesis
32:4-36:43) Yaacov sent messengers to Eisav, informing him of his
return. Eisav came to meet Yaacov, along with 400 men. Yaacov divided his
people into two camps, so that should Eisav attack, at least one camp would
survive. Yaacov sent gifts for Eisav. He then sent his wives, children and
possessions across the Jabbok River. During the night Yaacov wrestled with an
angel, who could not defeat him, so he touched Yaacov on the thigh, dislocating
his hip. At dawn, the angel blessed Yaacov, changing his name to Yisrael.
Yaacov met with Eisav in reconciliation. Eisav then went on to Seir. Yaacov
separated from him and went to Shechem, where he purchased Kever Yosef.
Yaacov’s daughter Dina was forcefully taken by Shechem, who wanted her for his
wife. Yaacov, and Dina’s brothers said they would permit the union only if
Shechem, along with every other male, would circumcise himself. On the third
day after their circumcision, when they were all suffering, Shimon and Levi
killed all the men and returned with Dina. They left for Beth El, where Yaacov
set up an altar to G-d. Rachel died in childbirth on the road. Yitzchak died at
180 years old. The parsha ends with the chronicles the family of Eisav, and the
kings of Edom. Insights Much of Vayishlach speaks about Yaacov’s return to Israel, after his harrowing experiences with Lavan and Eisav. The verse says, “And Yaacov arrived at Shechem, whole.” Rashi comments on the word ‘whole’; that Yaacov arrived complete in body—that his injury from the angel (32/26) was healed; complete financially—that all of the gifts he tried to give to his brother were returned; and complete in Torah—that he did not forget any of the Torah he had learned with Shem and Ever (See Rashi, beginning of Vayeishev). Yaacov suffered no detriment while in the company of the arch trickster, Lavan. Nevertheless, a simple but powerful question arises here. Why all of the detail? Why didn’t Rashi just say that he arrived whole after his difficulties with Lavan and Eisav? The answer is based on something that happened previously: as Yaacov was leaving Israel 34 years prior, G-d promised him (28/15), “I will be with you and watch over you wherever you go.” Rashi there explains that G-d was responding to Yaacov’s fear of Lavan and Eisav, that he might be harmed physically or spiritually by one or both of them. If G-d was going to protect Yaacov, obviously this meant he would return without mishap, complete. If so, than clearly, the words, “Yaacov arrived whole” is not referring to his being saved from his relatives, but rather the Torah wishes to point out a situation not connected to G-d’s promise. This is the source of Rashi’s comments, describing a much broader level of completeness. Yaacov’s
journey to Lavan represents and teaches us about the exiles of the Jewish
people. We are taught that just as Yaacov successfully fulfilled his goals, so
also each of us will also have the strength to overcome any of the obstacles
that we may face. The Torah is telling a very exciting thing: not only will we
not be deterred from our goal, even more, we will come out complete from the
exile in all three ways that were described by Yaacov! Whole in body: One of the tests of the exiles are the different physical difficulties that we are forced to endure. Their purpose is to bring out a Jew’s potential for self-sacrifice. The Torah is guaranteeing us that in the end, not only will there be no more trials, but also no seemingly negative results will come of those trials! Whole financially: Just as Yaacov accumulated great wealth while with Lavan, so also one of the purposes of the exile is to search for the spiritual sparks hidden in all of the world’s attractions, utilizing them for holy and positive purposes. This is the true reason that it is required of each of us to invest so much time in the physical world (look at what Yaacov had to go through!). And this is often at the expense of more pleasant and easy spiritual pursuits! The Torah promises that in the end, we will be whole. Every instant of spiritual investment in the physical world will be repaid, not a fraction will be lacking. Whole in Torah: During the exiles, we are compelled to invest our strengths into physicality. This could easily endanger our true spiritual level, making us forget our spiritual roots and affinity to Torah. This parsha is promising us that just as Yaacov did not forget the Torah he learned while staying with Lavan, so also these exiles will not succeed in lowering us from our true spiritual level and our attachment to Torah and Judaism. G-d promises each of us, do not be afraid! When the redemption will arrive (immediately!), we will be complete and whole in our bodies, our physical resources and our spiritual status! As the verse says (Shmuel 2 14/14; see Tanya end of ch. 39), no one will be banished; No one will be left behind in the exile! Shabbat Shalom, Shaul |
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Ascent of Safed
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