B"H
Thursday, Kislev 7, 5779 / November 14, 2018
In this week’s Parsha, Vayeitzei, the Torah relates the following episode which took place with our forefather Yaakov (Jacob).
On his way to Charan, Yaakov prays that G-d should watch and protect him. Knowing that his uncle, Lavan, is a liar and cheater, he is scared of the unknown.
G-d appears to him in a dream and says, “I am the G-d of Abraham and Isaac, I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be as many as the dust of the earth; and you will spread out to the west, to the east, to the north and to the south. All the families of the earth will be blessed by you and your descendants. I am with you and I will guard you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not abandon you until I have carried out what I have spoken to you.”
When Yaakov woke up he made the following vow, “If G-d will be with me and he will guard me on this route in which I am going; and He will give me bread to eat and garments to wear; and I will return in peace to my father’s house; and G-d will be my G-d; This stone which I have placed as a monument will be a house of G-d and I will give tithes (to charity) from everything which You give to me.”
Indeed, on this very place where Yaakov slept that night and placed the monument is where the Holy Temples were built many years later.
Q. Why does Yaakov specify in his prayer, “bread to eat and garments to wear”? Wouldn’t it be enough if he asked for bread and garments, without specifying “to eat” and “to wear?” What else would he do with bread if not to eat; and garments, if not to wear?
A. There is a very profound lesson in this for everyone. Sometimes we tend to forget the purpose of our work. Too many people too many times become so involved in their work and business day and night to the point that instead of eating the bread, the bread eats them! Instead of clothing to wear, the clothing business or the expensive designer clothing, wears them down! Manypeoplebecome so consumed in their business chasing after money and more money even at the expense of family and health.
Until now Yaakov was immersed in the study of Torah. Now that he was on his way to build a home, a family and financial success, Yaakov was worried that he may be completely consumed with his physical welfare at the expense of forgetting the spiritual purpose of it all.
Yaakov prayed that G-d give him, “bread to eat and garments to wear,” that he should be successful in his work and have whatever he needs, but at the same time he should remember that physical success is only a means to a higher goal and spiritual purpose.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY