Parshas Vayetze 5767

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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Jacob left his parents’ home to go to Charan where he was to meet his mother’s family and find a wife. 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 gave 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 Jacob was impeccably honest and faithful in his work, Laban tried to cheat him 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 instructed 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 left town, 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.

“… for I will not forsake you until I have done what I have spoken about you ...” (Gen. 28 :15)

An obviously distressed person was waiting to see Rav Yisrael of Ruzhyn. The Rebbe’s young son asked the man, “What do you want from my father?”

The man smiled sadly and said he had many problems and was seeking the Rebbe’s blessing. Shortly afterwards, the man was called into the Rebbe’s office. When he emerged he told the Rebbe’s son, “The Rebbe said that G-d will help me.”

“But who’s going to help you until then? You should have asked my father that, too,” the young child pointed out to the man. The man did just that.

The Rebbe smiled and said, “G-d will help you until He helps, too. That is what’s meant when G-d said to Jacob, ‘I will not forsake you until I have done…’ that even before I help you I will not forsake you.” We must always place our trust in G-d.

Did You Know...

The Rabbis ordained two blessings of praise and thanksgiving to be recited on different occasions.

The blessing of Shehechiyanu is recited when one receives something that brings exceptionally great joy. Some examples might include the purchase of a new house, a new car, or an expensive suit of clothing. Similarly, when a person enjoys the first of a species of fruit in its season, he recites this blessing.

If, however, the house or car will be shared with one’s family, the blessing of Hatov U’meitiv is recited instead.

If one hasn’t seen a relative or good friend in over thirty days, nor been in any form of communication with him or her, the blessing of Shehechiyanu is also recited.