Vayetzei 5774

Yaakov's Dream Parshas Vayeitzei, Genesis 28:10 - 32:3, focuses on the Patriarch Jacob and his pursuit of a family. On the way, he had a dream of a ladder with angels ascending and descending. In his dream, Hashem promised to be with Jacob in his descent to Padam and his ascent back to Canaan and to make him a great nation. Upon awakening, Yaakov made a vow that if Hashem were to take care of him by giving him bread to eat and clothes to wear, then he would accept "Elokim as G'd". Would we have thought of Yaakov - the chosen of the patriarchs (Avrohom, Yitschok and Yaakov are the only patriarchs as they willing surrendered their free choice to promulgate monotheism) would have accepted Hashem based on bread? In addition, the name Elokim is Hashem's expression of strict judgment (Elokim literally means judges). How could Yaakov have expected any signs of compassion from Hashem's expression of strict judgment? On the contrary, the name Hashem is an expression of compassion. Yaakov should have directed his vow towards the name Hashem not Elokim. Elokim is the name that appears during the creation story. Strict judgment does not mean cruelty. It means necessary containment. Hashem desired a world limited to three dimensions. Therefore, it was necessary for Hashem to contain his infinity through strict judgment in order for those limitations to exist. Yaakov's vow can be interpreted as a declarative statement:  If it will be that Hashem's infinite revelation can be contained on my behalf so as to manifest itself even in something simply mundane as bread, not just for me but for all of my progeny until Moshiach's arrival, then I, as a limited creature will be able to relate to Hashem - promulgate his existence - and take on the responsibility of being the chosen people. We are the progeny of Yaakov. We are the recipients of the blessings he received from Hashem. We are also the bearers of his vow to make the world a better place. -----------------------------------------------------

The Rebbe Knew         I heard this story from Rabbi Yitschok Wineberg - shliach in Vancouver BC. One of Rabbi Wineberg's close associates hired a lawyer who was Jewish but married to a non-Jew. One day the rabbi and the lawyer were discussing some matter and the subject turned to the greatness of the Rebbe. The lawyer mentioned that his wife was not well. Would the Rebbe pray on behalf of a non-Jew?  Reb Yitsy replied to the affirmative and asked the lawyer his wife's name. The man replied, "Josette" and the father's name (when praying on behalf of a non-Jew, it is customary to mention the sick person's name and their father's name. For a Jewish person, the custom is sick person's name and mother's name). The Rabbi composed a letter and sent it off to Brooklyn. About a week later, Rabbi Wineberg received a call from the Rebbe's secretary. The Rebbe wanted to know the name of the woman's mother.  Rabbi Wineberg found out that it was Anna. Shortly thereafter, Josette called her mother to ask if she had another name. He mother replied, "My Hebrew name is Chana." Much to the shock of Josette, the mother went on to explain that she had been left in a convent during the war and adopted Catholicism. She never told anyone until now that she was Jewish. The Rebbe knew. ===============================

By: Rabbi Herschel Finman

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