Vayeitzei – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

Complete this week and this one also will be given to you for the work which you will do for me for another seven years. And Yaakov did so. (29:27-28)

We may be puzzled by Yaakov’s passive acquiescence to Lavan’s proposal. Surely, Lavan had no legal or moral claim for Yaakov to work another seven years to receive Rachel as a bride, which their original contract had stipulated. After seven years, Lavan acted reprehensibly towards Yaakov by putting Leah under the chupah in place of Rachel. Yaakov clearly owed Lavan nothing, since he had explicitly stated his desire to marry Rachel. Why did Yaakov accede to Lavan’s manipulation without objection? Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, suggests that Yaakov’s actions were motivated by his sensitivity to Leah’s feelings. He knew that Leah’s…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5752

“And he encountered the place, and he lay there because the sun had set, and he took of the stones of the place and put under his head.” (28:11)

The Midrash offers what seems to be contradicting explanations for the meaning of ouenc gdphu . It states that the word gdphu means to pray. Since this scene transpired in the evening, the Midrash says this alludes to Yaakov’s instituting Tefillas Arvis. There is another Midrash which interprets this pasuk differently, “He wanted to proceed and the whole world became like a wall in front of him.” Perhaps we may suggest a relationship between these two Midrashim. They reflect the life of a Jew throughout galus (exile) and suggest the effective response one must offer. ” ouenc gdpuh” – wherever…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5752

“And He will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear.” (28:20)

Yaakov does not want much, only the bare necessities to render life possible. The Alter of Kelm Z”l questions Yaakov’s request. Was Yaakov not aware that Hashem provides every individual’s needs? The Rambam states clearly that Hashem does not allow anyone to go without his basic needs fulfilled. Why then was Yaakov insecure regarding his material sustenance? He suggests that herein lies a profound lesson. Upon leaving his father’s home, Yaakov was occupied with the changes about to take place in his spiritual surroundings. Until recently his father’s protective influence dominated his life. He was now entering a new world…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5752

“If Hashem will be with me and will guard me in the path that I go… and that I return in peace to the house of my father… and Hashem will be my G-d. And this stone that I have set up as a monument shall be Hashem’s house.” (28:20-22)

From this pasuk, we may derive an allusion suggesting when one should feel prepared to enter into communal service. The correct moment to go forth to spread Hashem’s Name is only after one has personally experienced that Hashem is with him. Only one who has been able to withstand the various trials of life’s experiences and has maintained himself on the appropriate level can build a place to disseminate the word of Hashem. He must remain uncompromised by the allure of contemporary society. Yaakov was not prepared to go forth until he had been assured of his own ability to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5752

“And Yaakov’s anger was kindled against Lavan.” – “And Yaakov was angry and he argued with Lavan.” (31:36)

The Chidushei HaRim notes that the traits of anger and indignation are mentioned solely in regard to Yaakov. The Torah does not apply this concept to the other two Patriarchs. He describes Yaakov as the Patriarch who excelled in the attribute of emes (truth), serving as the paradigm of “truth for truth’s sake” – the essence of truth. He was therefore the only one who appropriately exhibited anger and indignation. These are emotions which emanate from a source untainted by any form of self-serving interests. Horav Shimon Schwab Shlita explains that when the deceitful Lavan kissed his children and grandchildren…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5752

“And now that you have gone away because of your great longing for your father’s home, why have you stolen my gods?” (31:30)

In his final confrontation with Yaakov, Lavan does not blame his son-in-law for taking his family and possessions to his father’s land. His sole unanswerable indictment was, “If you yearned so much to return to your father’s home, go, but why did you steal my gods?” Lavan’s accusation is a condemnation of all those who feel that a Jew’s distinctiveness is dependent upon where he lives. What difference does it make if one lives in America or in Eretz Yisrael, if he does not accept Hashem as the Creator and Ruler of the world? If our own synagogues resemble churches,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5751

“And he took from the stones of the place and put it under his head.” (28:11)

“All those stones were from the stones of the Altar. This refers to the Altar upon which his father Yitzchok was bound as a sacrifice to Hashem.” (Pirkei D’R’ Eliezer 35) This Midrash pinpoints the problem facing Jewish youth as they struggle for spiritual survival in today’s society. It is very hard for a child to battle alone against skepticism and apathy unless he knows that his father before him laid his head on the same stone, sacrificed and triumphed for the very same ideals. Furthermore, Chazal in Midrash Rabba comment along the same lines, that when Yaakov rested his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5751

“And of all that you will give me I will give a tenth of it to you.” (28:22)

Yaakov vows that from everything that he will receive from Hashem, he will give one tenth to charity. It may be noted from this verse that the mitzvah of charity does not apply only to monetary matters, but the mitzvah applies to anything one receives as Hashem’s gift. If one is blessed with wisdom and knowledge, it is imperative for him to share this gift with others who are not as fortunate as he. Rabbi Shimon Shkopf Zt”l remarked that just like one who is generous with his money merits that his possessions will increase, so too, if one is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5751

“And Yaakov kissed Rachel, and he raised his voice and wept.” (29:11)

Rashi explains the reason Yaakov cried was because he had not brought any gifts for Rachel, since Elifaz, Eisav’s son, had waylaid him along the way and had taken all his possessions. Eisav had instructed Elifaz to kill Yaakov. But having grown up under Yitzchok’s guidance, Elifaz was in a dilemma. Should he follow his father’s orders or go against everything he had been taught by Yitzchok? It was Yaakov who helped him solve this problem by advising him to rob him of his possessions thereby impoverishing him. This would be considered as carrying out his father’s command since…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5751

“Are we not considered by him as strangers for he has sold us, and he has been using up the money given for us.” (31:15)

This conversation between Yaakov, Rachel and Leah seems rather strange and requires close study. When Yaakov informs his wives of Hashem’s command to leave Lavan’s home, he begins with a long explanation that Lavan no longer favored him and has cheated him many times. Only afterwards, does he tell them that it is Hashem’s command that they leave. Equally perplexing is Rochel and Leah’s response. Although they agreed with Yaakov they base their reasoning on the fact that Lavan is wicked and they will not inherit anything from him anyway. Is this the way to respond to Hashem’s command? They…

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Complete this week and this one also will be given to you for the work which you will do for me for another seven years. And Yaakov did so. (29:27-28)

“And he encountered the place, and he lay there because the sun had set, and he took of the stones of the place and put under his head.” (28:11)

“And He will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear.” (28:20)

“If Hashem will be with me and will guard me in the path that I go… and that I return in peace to the house of my father… and Hashem will be my G-d. And this stone that I have set up as a monument shall be Hashem’s house.” (28:20-22)

“And Yaakov’s anger was kindled against Lavan.” – “And Yaakov was angry and he argued with Lavan.” (31:36)

“And now that you have gone away because of your great longing for your father’s home, why have you stolen my gods?” (31:30)

“And he took from the stones of the place and put it under his head.” (28:11)

“And of all that you will give me I will give a tenth of it to you.” (28:22)

“And Yaakov kissed Rachel, and he raised his voice and wept.” (29:11)

“Are we not considered by him as strangers for he has sold us, and he has been using up the money given for us.” (31:15)

YEARS

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