Dvar Torah - Vayeitzei - Rabbi Yitzchok Wolpin

This week we are privileged to read the portion of Vayeitzei. We learn that Yaakov escaped from his parents home due to the threat on his life, from his brother Eisov. Yaakov stopped to study for fourteen years and then headed toward Choron, to fulfill the command of his parents, that he marry someone from “their” family. We learn how Yaakov met Rochel, the daughter of Lovon at the well. He was impressed with her and wanted to marry her. We learn how Lovon fooled Yaakov by giving him Leah and not Rochel, and the great sacrifice Rochel made not to cause her sister embarrassment. only later Lovon agreed to grant Yaakov his second daughter, Rochel. We learn how Yaakov worked hard and Lovon kept changing his pay. We learn about the births of the holy children of Yaakov, the foundation of Klal Yisroel. After the birth of Yosef Yaakov can no longer stay with Lovon. Hashem tells him it’s time to return. A dispute erupted as Lovon expressed his dissatisfaction of his children’s departure. Hashem warned Lovon not to harm Yaakov. They set feet back to the Holy Land.

There’s so much we can learn from the dealings between Yaakov and Lovon. In general all these portions about the history of our forefathers are full of deep lessons. I want to share one important lesson from this week’s portion.

When Yaakov reached Choron he had a discussion with the Shepards as to why they were just standing at the well. They declared that they waited for a group of Shepard’s to appear in order to remove the stone covering the well. Yaakov walked over and just removed on his own like he took a cap off a bottle. We need to understand what was the reason Yaakov did this, was he trying to show then his physical strength ? If so, why ? Also why is it important for the Torah to tell us about this detail ? There’s a tremendous lesson Yaakov wanted to teach them and us as well. If one really wants to accomplish something, nothing can stand in the way, all one needs to do is try, not stand on the side and say I can’t. We find the same situation (in the portion of Shmos), when Basya removed Moshe from the water. Moshe was placed in the water far from an arm stretch, however she was determined to save the child and stuck out her arm, and the Medrash teaches us that her arm became longer until she reached the box in which Moshe lye. We need to do ours and we will see that Hashem will help, and the impossible can be achieved.

Gut Shabbos!