Vayeitzei – Peninim on the Torah

“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, 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

“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 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

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

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

“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)

YEARS

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