5759

Lavan was intent on destroying Yaakov. What prevented him from executing  his diabolical plan?  Chazal tell us that Lavan feared two things:  First, Hashem told Lavan to stay away from Yaakov. Second, Lavan was aware that Eisav was coming toward Yaakov with an army of four hundred men.  If Lavan had killed Yaakov, his brother Eisav would have sought revenge.  Lavan was not prepared to risk his life to kill Yaakov.  What an incredible statement!  The four hundred men who were apparently viewed as the enemy were, ironically,  actually his savior in disguise.  Horav Chaim Zaitchik, zl, takes this lesson…

In the Midrash, Chazal  render this pasuk to mean that Yaakov Avinu took several stones, which began “quarrelling,” each one vying for the tzaddik to rest his head on it.  “Alai yaniach tzaddik es rosho,” “Upon me shall this tzaddik rest his head.”  Noticing this arguement, Hashem combined them all into one stone upon which Yaakov would rest.  Horav Zaidel Epstein, Shlita, derives a profound lesson from here.  Jewish tradition disapproves of machlokes, conflict, regardless of its goal, even if the dispute is about upon which stone  the tzaddik should rest his head.  As long as the “alai“, “me”, is…