B"H
Wednesday, Kislev 3, 5785 / December 4, 2024
This week's Parsha, Vayeitzei, begins, "And Yaakov went out of Beer Sheva and went to Charan." On the way Yaakov passed by the very same place where his father, Yitzchak, was bound on the altar many years earlier. It is the same location where, many years later, the Holy Temple would be standing. Although Yaakov didn't intend to stop there, G-d made the sun set so that he would stay overnight. Yaakov prayed there and rested for the night. That night Yaakov has his famous dream where he saw a ladder extending from the ground into heaven and angels walking up and down the ladder.
In his dream, G-d promised him that the land he was sleeping on will belong to his descendants – the Children of Israel. In these portions of the Torah, we read many times about G-d’s promise to our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that the Land of Israel will be given to the Jewish people! Not the U.N. nor any other nation can override G-d and take the Promised land from our people.
The Torah tells us that before going to sleep, Yaakov "Took from the stones of that place and placed them around his head and lay down to sleep."
Our sages explain that Yaakov did this for protection. But, why did he protect only his head, not his entire body?
They explain that Yaakov, on his way to Charan, a land of idol worshippers, where he would spend so many years of his life, was worried about spiritual danger, not a physical one.
Yaakov was a quiet person who "Sat in the tents" of study. All his life, whether in his father's home or at the halls of Shem and Aiver, he was involved in learning Torah and serving G-d. Now that he was going to his uncle Lavan he feared the unknown. Lavan was known as Lavan HaArami" - "Lavan the swindler." Yaakov felt that now he needed extra protection not to lose his spiritual attachment.
By taking "From the stones of the place" and building a "fence" around his head, Yaakov demonstrated that, although he will have to be involved in material matters, he will only work with his hands and body. But, he will keep his head, i.e. his mind and thoughts protected with "the stones of this place" – the very place where his father offered his life to G-d and where the Temple will stand.
Next morning, Yaakov continues to Charan. Arriving there he meets his cousin, Rachel, leading her father’s sheep to the well. He gives her a kiss and begins to cry. He cried, because he came empty-handed and had nothing to offer her. Yaakov offers Rachel’s father, Lavan, to work seven years for the right to marry her. After seven years of work, Lavan fools him and gives him his older daughter, Leah, instead. He then marries Rachel and works for another seven years for Rachel.
Due to Yaakov's strong commitment and connection to G-d, even during the twenty years at his father-in-law, who cheated him again and again, Yaakov came out much wealthier spiritually and materially. The lesson for us is that the secret to success for a Jew is to always stay connected to G-d.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW