Parshat Vayeitzei
7 Kislev 5768
November 17, 2007
Daf Yomi: Kesovos 77
Guest
Rabbi:
Rabbi Yehudah Tunkel
Young Israel of Bensonhurst, NY
I would like
to point out that Parshat Vayeitzei is a parsha stuma like
Parshat Miketz. Vayeitzei contains many laws like laws of Beth
Hamikdash, Tefila, aspects of employment, law, and etc. The
birth of the Jewish nation is taking place in this parsha as
well as many significant descriptions of the behavior of our
Avos and Imahos, which teaches future generations important
lessons of ethics and service to Hashem.
It looks to me that this parsha is similar to a certain extent
to the Megilat Esther by having so many descriptions of what’s
taking place that it certainly feels that there is a very deep
meaning and secrecy lying deeply behind what appears to be
simplicity. By analyzing the relationship between Lavan and
Yaakov Avinu, we hope to find the key for many answers that we
are seeking to obtain, for the purpose of better understanding
and implementing in our lives the lessons of Parshat Vayeitzei.
We used to perceive Lavan to be a most evil and wicked person
based on the actions he committed against Yaakov Avinu and his
family. But why is he any different from the other sinners? The
fact is that Lavan pretends to be a righteous person in every
situation. Please carefully follow his conversations and actions
with Yaakov Avinu. Lavan promises to give his daughter Rochel to
Yaakov but he never promised to give her before Leah. That’s why
Leah was given first which he even claims to be in essence very
ethical behavior not to hurt Leah’s feelings with accordance to
his “holy” Mesora of Haran.
In the first place Lavan claims he wants to promote the work
ethic of Yaakov and reward him with the marriage to Rochel, “Why
should you work for free?” In essence Lavan claims to be a
builder of Klal Yisroel, “Sons are my sons and daughters are my
daughters,” which reminds us that our sages told us that by the
end of days, gentiles would come and claim that everything they
did is only to help the Jewish nation to prosper. Lavan’s sons
point out that the sudden prosperity of Yaakov is only because
of the initial investment of their father. They falsely slander,
that Yaakov indeed is a thief - an unethical person, who
deprived the elder of the family, Lavan, a grandfather, the joy
of his family and objects of worship of his religion. When
Yaakov said, “Trefa I never brought to you,” Lavan then felt
that he has a right to claim to be an educator, an expert in
Kashrus and ethics, a person who helped to build Klal Yisroel
according to the Mesora (of Haran). “How dare you steal my
gods?” After looking at all of the above, we understand the true
danger of people like Lavan and carriers of his perverted ways.
Only now we could see that Lavan was not an ordinary sinner but
an expert thief who claimed evil as good.
Surviving and persevering in such an atmosphere and succeeding
in planting the physical and spiritual roots of the Jewish
nation required preparation and maturity. Yaakov received this
mesorah from his parents and from the yeshiva of Shem and Ever.
Now we can also understand why Yaakov proudly tells Esau “I
lived with Lavan.” In addition, it now becomes clear how the
departure of such a person like Yaakov deeply affected the city
of Beer Sheva.
Good Shabbos.
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