Vayeitzei – Peninim on the Torah

“She said, ‘Here is my maid Bilhah, live with her, so that she may bear upon my knees and I too may be built up through her.” (30:3)

The precedent for Rochel giving her maidservant, Bilhah, to Yaakov for the specific purpose of having a child was set by Sarah Imeinu, who gave Hagar to Avraham. We must endeavor to understand what there is about transferring one’s maidservant to her husband for the purpose of childbearing that increases one’s “chances” of being blessed with a child. Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, responds by first citing a Midrash, which recounts the dialogue between Michal bas Shaul and David Ha’melech. Michal criticized David Ha’melech for the manner in which he expressed his joy when the Aron Ha’Kodesh was brought through the…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeitzei, 5756

“Then Yaakov took a vow, saying, ‘If Hashem will be with me, and guard me on this path…'” (28:20)

Yaakov seems to be asking Hashem for something that Hashem had already granted him. Hashem had previously told Yaakov, “I will not forsake you.” What compelled Yaakov to question his future relationship with Hashem? Horav Nissan Ha’Meiri, Shlita, suggests that Yaakov was asking that Hashem grant him and his descendents the resolve to maintain perspective of the true source of blessing. Regrettably, when one falls on “tough” times, he tends to blame his lamentable state upon Hashem. When the situation changes and he is blessed with success, he attributes this newfound good fortune to his own wisdom and capabilities. In…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeitzei, 5756

“And He called the name of that place Bais El.” (28:19)

The name Bais El means “the house of G-d.” It was the m’kom Ha’Mikdash, the designated place for the Bais Ha’Mikdash. The Midrash notes the disparity between the way each one of the Avos, Patriarchs, expressed themselves in regard to this special “place”. Avraham Avinu referred to it as the “Har,” mountain; Yitzchak Avinu referred to it as Sadeh, field, while Yaakov referred to it as “Bais,” house. What perspective regarding this holy center and its function is reflected by these disparate terms? Horav Mordechai Ilan, z.l., suggests two approaches towards understanding these metaphors. In his first explanation, he focuses…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeitzei, 5756

“And he took from the stones of the place.” (28:11)

The Midrash comments that Yaakov took twelve stones, symbolizing the nation that he would soon establish. The twelve stones represented the twelve tribes which were to coalesce into a unified nation. Yaakov said, “I knew that a great nation would be established. Avraham did not establish it and neither did my father, Yitzchak. If these twelve stones meld together to become one, then it is a sign that I will be the one who will establish this great nation.” Yaakov Avinu’s simile is enigmatic. If one person, Yaakov, were to establish a nation via the birth of twelve tribes, then…

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“She said, ‘Here is my maid Bilhah, live with her, so that she may bear upon my knees and I too may be built up through her.” (30:3)

“Then Yaakov took a vow, saying, ‘If Hashem will be with me, and guard me on this path…'” (28:20)

“And He called the name of that place Bais El.” (28:19)

“And he took from the stones of the place.” (28:11)

YEARS

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