A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Yetzias Tzaddik Oseh Roshum
Vayeitzei Yaakov. We are familiar with the famous Rashi, which explains that the word vayeitze teaches us a very special lesson. Really, the parsha could have started with vayeilech Charana. However, by commencing with the word vayeitzei, we learn that yetzias tzaddik oseh roshum. When a tzaddik leaves town it makes an impression – while the tzaddik is in town, he is its pride and splendor. When he leaves the city, its pride and splendor are diminished.
On a practical level it is important to remember that one can never overestimate the impact of the tzaddik on his community. (more…)
Special thanks to community member Elizabeth Danziger, founder of 
