A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.

A Support Staff

As Yaakov prepares to greet Eisav after his many decades away from home he sends him gifts and a message stating, “Im Lavan Garti—I lived with Lavan.”

Chazal derive from this unusual expression the famous dictum of Yaakov Avinu – Im Lavan Garti V’Taryag Mitzvos Shamarti – I lived with Lavan but I kept all of the 613 Mitzvos (“Garti” and Taryag have the same letters) . This declaration of Yaakov is extraordinary. After years away from home, surrounded by the deceit of Lavan’s home and the decadence of society at large, Yaakov remained the Ish tam yosheiv ohalim he was when he left Eretz Yisrael some 35 years earlier.

How did he do it? What kept him strong? One insight from Chazal is inspiring.

With the fear of his imminent encounter with his brother Eisav looming on the horizon, Yaakov Avinu turns to Hashem Yisborach in prayer. He pleads with Him to spare him from the evil designs of Eisav. In so doing he proclaims “Ki v’makli avarti es haYarden”—for alone with my staff did I cross over the Jordan into foreign lands. The Midrash wonders about the significance of this statement and teaches us that Makli—”my lone staff” referred to by Yaakov Avinu is in fact Torah, Neviim and Kesuvim.

Perhaps this is our clue. The lone support Yaakov leaned on all his years away was his steadfast commitment to Torah. It was not ambition, fame or fortune that drove him. Yaakov did not just earn a living and build a family; rather he stayed true and connected to Torah. Indeed, his staff accompanied him everywhere he went and he leaned upon it to help him on his way. Yaakov not only learned Torah, he depended on it. That provided him the strength and inspiration to hold fast to the values he had learned in the house of his parents, Rivka and Yitzchok.

Boruch Hashem, many people learn. But just learning is not enough. To successfully build the Jewish family as modeled to us by Yaakov Avinu, we need to lean on that same Makel; the staff which embodies our mesorah. We must feel supported by Torah with total trust and devotion, a trust in Halacha, supported by our Emunas Chachamim. Only then can we realize the ambition of Yaakov Avinu of becoming a true Yisrael, Ki Sarisa im Elokim V’im anashim Vatuchal.

Related posts:

1. Do You Want To Change? | A Guest Post
2. Hook, Line and Teshuva | A Guest Post
3. Peace Offerings | A Guest Post
4. Heralding the Unheralded | A Guest Post
5. Meriting Salvation | A Guest Post

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.

Yaakov, Eisav & The Simple Things in Life

This week’s parsha presents the fundamental distinction between Klal Yisrael and the Umos HaOlam, defined by Yaakov Avinu and Eisav Harasha. Exploring these differences can help us understand what defines us and which values to seek and transmit to our children. One insight is especially relevant to the contemporary milieu.

Yaakov buys the Bichorah, the birthright, from Eisav for a bowl of soup. Upon receipt of such we are told—Vayochal, Vayeisht, Vayakom, Vayeilach, Vayivez: he ate, drank, got up, left and mocked. The mifarshim derive powerful messages from his behavior. The Kli Yakar notes that this phrase is the makor for the medrash that says Eisav committed 5 serious Aveiros on that day replete with heretical, immoral and antisocial behavior.

On a simpler level, however, one can come to understand from this phrase the superficiality of an Eisav which is mirrored by American life today. Eisav was constantly on the run: fast food, quick drink and a “get up and go”, instant, disposable lifestyle was all he made time for. There was no desire or effort to stop and smell the roses and appreciate what was truly his. Relationships were temporary and insights superficial. Even the gift of life grew tired. As a result he did not thoroughly deliberate his mission in life or his connection to Hashem. He became cynical and scorned the Bechora, his spiritual birthright. Torah and Mitzvos became a burden to be unloaded rather than a joy to be celebrated.

Unfortunately, these attitudes can creep into the contemporary Torah home. We expect instant gratification and wish for automatic success–effortlessly and with instant messaging! We get wrapped up in the here and now and anticipate immediate results with our children’s education, shalom Bayis and professional ambitions. Klal Yisrael should know better. When it comes to growing in Torah, Mitzvos, and personal development, the Gemarah tells us, “Yagatah Umatzasa Ta’amin”, if one labors and achieves, that is believable.

Yaakov Avinu personifies such growth. He was an “Ish Tam Yoshev Ohalim-a pure man who sat in the tent”, constantly pondering, deliberating and striving to serve Hashem with his entire being and as a result he achieved. It is this model that fuels the formation of the quintessential Jewish family, the 12 shevatim. His success yielded true lasting Simcha, the joy of accomplishment. That is the true Simchas Hachayim that we should all strive for and 
IY”H receive.

Related posts:

1. The Sweet Smell of Simcha | A Guest Post
2. A Support Staff | A Guest Post
3. Hook, Line and Teshuva | A Guest Post
4. To Prey Or To Pray | A Guest Post
5. A Good Time | A Guest Post