On the way home from Laban's house, Jacob received word that Esau was coming towards him with an army. He understood that Esau's hatred had not abated over the past thirty-four years, since they had last seen each other.
Jacob prepared for his meeting with Esau in three ways: He first sent a gift to Esau, he prayed to G-d for assistance, and he planned a military strategy.
The gift was meant to appease Esau's enmity. Jacob wanted to show that he would share his material success with Esau, and that he was not trying to usurp his brother's blessing for his own material gain. Yet Jacob was realistic too. In the event that Esau would not be placated by the gift, Jacob realized he must prepare for war. He divided his camp into two parts. If one camp would be attacked, the other would always be able to flee to safety, thereby ensuring Jacob's survival.
But even after both of these precautions were taken, Jacob realized that ultimate salvation was dependent upon the Al-mighty. He therefore prayed for G-d's protection from the dangers of Esau.
Jacob's concern about his future was a valid one. The night before the meeting, after taking his family across the river, Jacob returned to retrieve some small pitchers he had forgotten behind. While alone, an angel fought with Jacob until morning. The Talmud identifies this angel as the spiritual force of Esau. The struggle actually foreshadowed the physical meeting Jacob would encounter the next day with Esau. The angel could not win over Jacob, but he did wound Jacob's thigh. The commentators understand the symbolism of the thigh as a reference to Jacob's children, thereby threatening Jacob's survival. Jacob would not let the angel go until he blessed him. This was Esau's admission and recognition of Jacob's rights to their father's blessings. The angel named Jacob "Israel", meaning that he was victorious in his quest over the angel.
The following day Esau did have a change of heart and let Jacob return home in peace.
Jacob's challenges were not yet over, though. His daughter Dinah was attacked, and Rachel, his wife, died in childbirth shortly before he returned home. Jacob decided to bury her near Bethlehem, instead of in Chevron with the other Patriarchs and Matriarchs. He wanted to allow his descendants to be able to pray by her tomb during their exile from Jerusalem. Rachel's tomb remains a special place to pray for our needs until this day.
" ...Jacob was left alone..." (Gen. 32:25)
The Rabbis comment that Jacob returned by himself to retrieve some small pitchers he had forgotten, since the righteous value their belongings and are careful not to waste them.
Rabbi Moshe Lieber explains that when people are asked why they work so hard, the answer is usually in order to eat and provide shelter. When pressed why that is important, they respond that eating is necessary to live. When challenged why is living important, the answer is in order to serve G-d!
Unfortunately our lives do not necessarily reflect this goal, and it often seems somewhat secondary to the goal of eating and other physical pleasures. The righteous, however, live accordingly. They value their material possessions as a tool to achieve their spiritual goals.
Did you know...
The menorah for Chanukah should preferably be placed between 12-40 inches off the floor, since that is the height which would publicize the miracle best. If the menorah is placed above 40 inches it is still acceptable as long as it is lower than 30 feet from the ground level.
If a person lives in a hi-rise apartment building, if there are other windows facing the apartment at similar heights, one may put the menorah at the window, otherwise it should be placed inside the apartment, to be publicized among the household members.
A person may not light the menorah in his hand, or any other disqualified place, even if he moves it to a proper place afterwards.
New JLC Website!
JLC now has a new website! Visit us at http://www.clevelandjlc.com.
November 25, 2004
November 18, 2004
Parshas Vayetze 5765
Jacob left his parents' home to go to Charan where he was to meet his mother's family and find his intended mate. While traveling, Jacob dreamed about a great ladder with ascending and descending angels. G-d promised him in the dream, that He would protect him throughout his travels, and that he would become a great nation.
The ladder may have represented Jacob's life-long striving for spiritual perfection. Spiritual gains do not come quickly or easily. Rather they require a slow ascent, rung by rung. Even then, the ascent is not always smooth, but man must not be disillusioned by occasional failures, for angels also ascend and descend. Ultimately, G-d remains on top, encouraging us in our efforts.
Jacob needed this encouragement. At his uncle Laban's house, Jacob offered to work seven years for the hand of Laban's younger daughter, Rachel. Laban agreed, but then reneged on his promise and presented Leah, his older daughter to Jacob as a bride. Jacob had to work another seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage. Although he kept Leah as a wife too, Rachel was clearly his more beloved wife. When Rachel could not bear children she give Jacob her maidservant, Bilhah, as a concubine. Subsequently Leah did the same with her servant, Zilpah. Through all these women Jacob eventually fathered twelve sons and one daughter.
Jacob stayed another six years working for Laban in order to support his growing family. Although he was impeccably honest and faithful in his work, Laban tried to cheat Jacob out of his hard earned wages. He first promised Jacob all the newly born speckled sheep. When all the newborn sheep were miraculously speckled Laban changed the terms and assigned to Jacob the ringed sheep. The newborn sheep were all ringed, and Laban again changed the terms. This deception kept repeating itself, and only through miraculous intervention was Jacob able to keep what was rightfully due him.
After twenty years, G-d ordered Jacob to return home with his large family. Jacob summoned his wives and informed them of G-d's instructions. He waited until Laban had gone away, knowing that he would try to prevent the family's departure. When Laban learned that Jacob had left, he quickly chased after him and berated him for having acted dishonestly!
Jacob remained faithful to G-d throughout his exile, growing from his difficult experiences. Jacob serves as the role model for the Jew in exile. We must focus on our spiritual growth regardless of the challenges. We know that, ultimately, G-d will assist us.
"If He will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear ..." (Gen. 28 :20)
Chovos Halevavos sees in this passage that the righteous ask G-d only for necessities and not luxuries. Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin lived very simply. When he came to live in Jerusalem, he refused the position of chief Rabbi, despite its promise of a spacious home.
A delegation of visitors once asked him why he lived so simply. Reb Yehoshua Leib pointed through the window to the ruins at the Temple mount. "The Divine Presence also lives in ruin. It's enough for a servant to live like his master!" he said. The delegation, however, pressed further that it was not becoming to the Torah for a great leader to live so sparsely. "First of all, I am not a great leader," the Rav humbly responded, "and the little that I have accomplished is only because I have never desired to live any fancier than I have."
Did you know ... ?
A person should not call his friend by a nickname, even if he is used to being called by that name. The Talmud lays a heavy punishment on one who calls a person by a name with a negative connotation; however, even if they has no negative implication, nicknames should still be avoided.
The Rabbis recommend that parents not give their child a strange-sounding name that may cause them embarrassment when they get older. Similarly, if one's father is known to be a wicked person, the son is called to the Torah using the grandfather's name rather than the father's name, to spare the son any embarrassment.
The ladder may have represented Jacob's life-long striving for spiritual perfection. Spiritual gains do not come quickly or easily. Rather they require a slow ascent, rung by rung. Even then, the ascent is not always smooth, but man must not be disillusioned by occasional failures, for angels also ascend and descend. Ultimately, G-d remains on top, encouraging us in our efforts.
Jacob needed this encouragement. At his uncle Laban's house, Jacob offered to work seven years for the hand of Laban's younger daughter, Rachel. Laban agreed, but then reneged on his promise and presented Leah, his older daughter to Jacob as a bride. Jacob had to work another seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage. Although he kept Leah as a wife too, Rachel was clearly his more beloved wife. When Rachel could not bear children she give Jacob her maidservant, Bilhah, as a concubine. Subsequently Leah did the same with her servant, Zilpah. Through all these women Jacob eventually fathered twelve sons and one daughter.
Jacob stayed another six years working for Laban in order to support his growing family. Although he was impeccably honest and faithful in his work, Laban tried to cheat Jacob out of his hard earned wages. He first promised Jacob all the newly born speckled sheep. When all the newborn sheep were miraculously speckled Laban changed the terms and assigned to Jacob the ringed sheep. The newborn sheep were all ringed, and Laban again changed the terms. This deception kept repeating itself, and only through miraculous intervention was Jacob able to keep what was rightfully due him.
After twenty years, G-d ordered Jacob to return home with his large family. Jacob summoned his wives and informed them of G-d's instructions. He waited until Laban had gone away, knowing that he would try to prevent the family's departure. When Laban learned that Jacob had left, he quickly chased after him and berated him for having acted dishonestly!
Jacob remained faithful to G-d throughout his exile, growing from his difficult experiences. Jacob serves as the role model for the Jew in exile. We must focus on our spiritual growth regardless of the challenges. We know that, ultimately, G-d will assist us.
"If He will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear ..." (Gen. 28 :20)
Chovos Halevavos sees in this passage that the righteous ask G-d only for necessities and not luxuries. Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin lived very simply. When he came to live in Jerusalem, he refused the position of chief Rabbi, despite its promise of a spacious home.
A delegation of visitors once asked him why he lived so simply. Reb Yehoshua Leib pointed through the window to the ruins at the Temple mount. "The Divine Presence also lives in ruin. It's enough for a servant to live like his master!" he said. The delegation, however, pressed further that it was not becoming to the Torah for a great leader to live so sparsely. "First of all, I am not a great leader," the Rav humbly responded, "and the little that I have accomplished is only because I have never desired to live any fancier than I have."
Did you know ... ?
A person should not call his friend by a nickname, even if he is used to being called by that name. The Talmud lays a heavy punishment on one who calls a person by a name with a negative connotation; however, even if they has no negative implication, nicknames should still be avoided.
The Rabbis recommend that parents not give their child a strange-sounding name that may cause them embarrassment when they get older. Similarly, if one's father is known to be a wicked person, the son is called to the Torah using the grandfather's name rather than the father's name, to spare the son any embarrassment.
November 11, 2004
Parshas Toldos 5765
Not much is discussed about the life of the second Patriarch, Isaac, in the Torah. Even where he is mentioned it is usually more as a passive participant rather than as an activist, such as his involvement in the Akeidah. Even his marriage was attended to by his father and his servant. This fits in with Isaac's nature. Whereas Abraham's life had been completely devoted to the needs of others, Isaac devoted himself to introspection and his own character development.
Isaac and Rebecca had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The two could not have been more different from one another. Esau, the firstborn, was hairy, and a conniving hunter. Jacob was smooth skinned, a studious scholar with a straight and honest character. His honesty, however, would be put to great challenge. Esau treated his father with the greatest respect, fooling him into thinking that he was deserving of being his spiritual successor. Rebecca, however, understood the true nature of her sons, and knew prophetically that Esau was actually wicked, undeserving of his father's blessings.
The Torah relates an incident that took place when the boys were fifteen years old. Jacob was cooking a pot of lentils when Esau came in from the fields, hungry and tired. He begged Jacob to pour him some of the "red stuff" he was cooking. Jacob agreed, on the condition that Esau would relinquish his birthright. Esau immediately accepted the condition, claiming that it was of no value to him. Although this may have appeared deceptive, the Torah emphasizes that even after Esau was satiated he had no regrets.
Many years later, when Jacob claimed the blessing from their father through deception, Esau cried bitterly, regretting his earlier decision. This short account is related to portray the essential difference between Jacob and Esau.
Esau was a person who lived for the moment. He would trade away his eternity for the fleeting pleasure and gratification of the "red stuff" of physical pleasure. Only later, long after the beans would be gone, would Esau realize the folly of his deeds and decisions; but by then it would be too late. Jacob, on the other hand, had the fortitude to be patient, to sacrifice part of his present for a piece of the eternal. Jacob is found to be worthy of the birthright.
The Midrash describes the wicked as people full of regret. Man is not essentially evil. He just has a difficulty keeping things in their proper perspective, allowing himself to be blinded by the glitter of the temporal. The righteous person is the one who remains focused on his ultimate goals, without allowing himself to be led astray. Only that person is the one who is deserving of spiritual blessings.
"Isaac prayed opposite his wife because she was barren" (Gen. 25:21)
A wealthy individual who had lost all his fortune came to the Sokolover Rebbe to unburden himself. "I have no rest day or night," he cried, "I can't even concentrate on prayer in this situation."
The Rebbe said, "My son, the prayers in a comfortable lifestyle they have already heard from you in Heaven. Now they want to hear your prayers out of difficult circumstances. Now especially is the time for you to pray!"
The Kotzker Rebbe used to say that there is no prayer more wholesome than the prayer from a broken heart.
Did you know ... ?
There are various customs regarding the yahrzeit, or the anniversary of a parent's death. Some have the custom to fast, to provide merit for the deceased on their annual day of judgment. Others complete a volume of Torah or Talmud and make a siyum (a celebration marking the completion),also to provide merit.
Others make a kiddush, in order to allow others to recite a blessing on the food, for the merit of the deceased. The participants should mention that it is for this merit. It is also proper to increase charity and Torah study on the yahrzeit. Some have the custom to lead services on the Saturday night before the yahrzeit, since that marks the yahrzeit of the "Shabbos soul" of the deceased.
Isaac and Rebecca had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The two could not have been more different from one another. Esau, the firstborn, was hairy, and a conniving hunter. Jacob was smooth skinned, a studious scholar with a straight and honest character. His honesty, however, would be put to great challenge. Esau treated his father with the greatest respect, fooling him into thinking that he was deserving of being his spiritual successor. Rebecca, however, understood the true nature of her sons, and knew prophetically that Esau was actually wicked, undeserving of his father's blessings.
The Torah relates an incident that took place when the boys were fifteen years old. Jacob was cooking a pot of lentils when Esau came in from the fields, hungry and tired. He begged Jacob to pour him some of the "red stuff" he was cooking. Jacob agreed, on the condition that Esau would relinquish his birthright. Esau immediately accepted the condition, claiming that it was of no value to him. Although this may have appeared deceptive, the Torah emphasizes that even after Esau was satiated he had no regrets.
Many years later, when Jacob claimed the blessing from their father through deception, Esau cried bitterly, regretting his earlier decision. This short account is related to portray the essential difference between Jacob and Esau.
Esau was a person who lived for the moment. He would trade away his eternity for the fleeting pleasure and gratification of the "red stuff" of physical pleasure. Only later, long after the beans would be gone, would Esau realize the folly of his deeds and decisions; but by then it would be too late. Jacob, on the other hand, had the fortitude to be patient, to sacrifice part of his present for a piece of the eternal. Jacob is found to be worthy of the birthright.
The Midrash describes the wicked as people full of regret. Man is not essentially evil. He just has a difficulty keeping things in their proper perspective, allowing himself to be blinded by the glitter of the temporal. The righteous person is the one who remains focused on his ultimate goals, without allowing himself to be led astray. Only that person is the one who is deserving of spiritual blessings.
"Isaac prayed opposite his wife because she was barren" (Gen. 25:21)
A wealthy individual who had lost all his fortune came to the Sokolover Rebbe to unburden himself. "I have no rest day or night," he cried, "I can't even concentrate on prayer in this situation."
The Rebbe said, "My son, the prayers in a comfortable lifestyle they have already heard from you in Heaven. Now they want to hear your prayers out of difficult circumstances. Now especially is the time for you to pray!"
The Kotzker Rebbe used to say that there is no prayer more wholesome than the prayer from a broken heart.
Did you know ... ?
There are various customs regarding the yahrzeit, or the anniversary of a parent's death. Some have the custom to fast, to provide merit for the deceased on their annual day of judgment. Others complete a volume of Torah or Talmud and make a siyum (a celebration marking the completion),also to provide merit.
Others make a kiddush, in order to allow others to recite a blessing on the food, for the merit of the deceased. The participants should mention that it is for this merit. It is also proper to increase charity and Torah study on the yahrzeit. Some have the custom to lead services on the Saturday night before the yahrzeit, since that marks the yahrzeit of the "Shabbos soul" of the deceased.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
