Vayeitzei – Page 12 – Peninim on the Torah

“And she conceived again and bore a son and she said ‘This time I thank Hahsem,’ therefore she called his name Yehudah.” (29:35)

The Talmud Brachos 7b comments that from the beginning of Creation there had never been a person who thanked Hashem until Leah. Leah was the originator of the “official” sense of gratitude one should express for the good Hahsem accords us. This does not seem consistent with the text in Parashas Chayei Sarah (4:52), where we note that upon securing Rivkah as a mate for Yitzchak, Eliezer bowed down in recognition to Hashem for providing Rivkah for Yitzchak. Why do Chazal attribute the distinction to Leah of being the first to offer gratitude? Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, distinguishes between bowing…

Home -> 5756 -> Vayeitzei

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…

Home -> 5756 -> Vayeitzei

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…

Home -> 5756 -> Vayeitzei

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…

Home -> 5756 -> Vayeitzei

Sruly Schnair In Vayeitzei, 5756

“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…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“And Yaakov went out from Be’er Sheva and (he) went toward Charan.” (28:10)

Rashi states that it was not necessary for the Torah to mention Yaakov’s departure. It would have been quite sufficient to state his intended destination. The Torah is emphasizing an important point – that the departure of a tzaddik, righteous person, makes an impression upon the entire community. During the time that a tzaddik resides in a city/community, he constitutes its glory, its splendor and its crown. When he departs, however, these noble attributes are sorely lacking in the community. Consequently, his departure creates a significant void in the community. Many lessons can be derived from Rashi regarding the character…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“And Yaakov went out from Be’er Sheva and (he) went toward Charan.” (28:10)

Rashi notes the Torah‘s emphasis upon Yaakov’s departure. He explains that a tzaddik’s departure from a community creates a noticeable impact, for he is the glory, splendor and crown of a community. We may wonder why the Torah chooses to emphasize the tzaddik’s positive influence upon a community only after he has left. Doesn’t his stay within the community also create its glory and splendor? Responding to this question, Horav Elchanan Sorotzkin z.l. opines that the Torah is regrettably alluding to the obvious; it is only when a tzaddik leaves the community that people appreciate his contribution. On the contrary,…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“And he dreamed and behold (there was) a ladder set up on the earth and its top reached up to Heaven, and behold the angels of Hashem (were) ascending and descending on it.” (28:12)

Yaakov Avinu’s dream contains profound implications which express the Torah’s perspective on life. The ladder serves an important purpose. The angels either ascend to Heaven or descend to the earth. Horav Mordechai Ilan z.l., suggests that this is the nature of Am Yisrael. The Talmud in Megillah 16a states, “This nation (Am Yisrael) is compared to dust and also to stars. When they descend (spiritually) they descend to the dust, and when they ascend, they can reach the stars.” Moreover, the Midrash states concerning this ladder, “Hashem showed Yaakov the meaning of “a ladder set up on the earth” as…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“Give (me) my wives and my children for whom I have served you and I will go.” (30:26)

Yaakov did what few people ever do. He literally slaved for fourteen years to acquire his wives and, ultimately, his children. He never broke down in desperation or depression. He kept on going, resolutely warding off the temptations of his environment. He never deferred to deep-seated anger at his father-in-law for cheating him. He raised a decent family and infused in them a nobility of spirit and pride in being the sons of Yaakov, the future progenitors of Am Yisrael. The interesting point to note is that when it was all over and Yaakov was preparing to leave, with what…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?” (31:36)

Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, notes that immediately upon seeing that Lavan was chasing him, Yaakov sought to blame no one but his own spiritual failing. This is the hallmark of a tzaddik. When circumstances change for the bad tzaddikim instantly introspect, seeking to find fault in their own inadequacies. The simple way out is the one employed by most of us – rationalize and justify, but by all means blame it on something or someone other than yourself. This is not the Torah way. Every situation we are confronted with is a response to something we have done. Subsequently when…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Vayeitzei ->

“And she conceived again and bore a son and she said ‘This time I thank Hahsem,’ therefore she called his name Yehudah.” (29:35)

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

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

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

“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)

“And Yaakov went out from Be’er Sheva and (he) went toward Charan.” (28:10)

“And Yaakov went out from Be’er Sheva and (he) went toward Charan.” (28:10)

“And he dreamed and behold (there was) a ladder set up on the earth and its top reached up to Heaven, and behold the angels of Hashem (were) ascending and descending on it.” (28:12)

“Give (me) my wives and my children for whom I have served you and I will go.” (30:26)

“What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?” (31:36)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!