This weeks Torah portion, Vayeitze, begins with the words: And Jacob went out from Beer Sheba and went towards Haran. The Torah offers two reasons for the name Beer Sheba: one is because of the oath Abraham made in his covenant with Abimelech; the second is because of the seventh well dug after Isaacs peace-treaty with Abimelech. Both of these explanations indicate a condition of tranquility for Israel. But the name Haran is the reverse, as our sages interpreted it to indicate the fierce anger - charan af - of the world. There are those who wonder: G-d has given us the Torah and mitzvot (commandments) with a full and ample hand. Wherever we turn there is either a positive precept for us to observe or a prohibition against which we must guard ourselves. At the very least, shouldnt G-d have removed all our worries in order to make it easier for us to observe the mitzvot? In fact, we should be altogether freed of worldly concerns so that we might spend more time in the tents of Torah, if this is what G-d truly wants of us. The Torah shows us Jacobs behavior, through which we can understand how to conduct ourselves. Before Jacob was to marry, that is, to build the House of Israel, he was told to leave Beer Sheba and the study halls of Shem and Eber where he had learned for the past 14 years. He was to come to Haran, a place where G-dliness and holiness were concealed. In Haran, it was very easy to sin and very difficult to be virtuous. Yet, it was precisely because he was steadfast when exposed to challenges and temptation that Jacob was able to build the House of Israel so that his offspring were perfect; not one of his children straying from the Torah path. This offers a lesson for every one of us. Part of our Divine mission involves being exposed to temptations. To be tempted and prevail raises man to higher levels. It is understood, though, that we are speaking of tests and temptations which G-d places before us: it is a fundamental belief that man has the capacity to remain steadfast in the face of all difficulties and tests imposed upon him by Divine Providence. Man, however, is not to subject himself to temptations as a test. By overcoming these temptations, it is possible to build a Jewish home which is both radiant and warm. Moshiach NOW!!!
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 06:26:08 +0000
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