A Thought On Parshas VaYetzae
A Thought On Parshas VaYetzae
"...v'haya HaShem li l'Elokim..."
"...then HaShem will be the Lord for me..." (29:22)
The conditions which Yaakov Avinu appears to set here raise some theological questions. He petitioned that HaShem protect and guard him on his travels, and that His Presence stay with him. In return, Yaakov seems to pledge that he then will designate Him as his Lord. We can see the spiritual attachments which were part of Yaakov's life, and how his thoughts on his journey were about keeping close to HaShem, and having HaShem close to him. However, many of the great commentaries struggle with the appearance of "serving HaShem on the condition of getting a reward" (Pirkei Avos 1:3). The verse seems to imply that Yaakov said "if HaShem will stay with me then I will make Him my Lord." That sounds as if he was agreeing to serve HaShem on the condition that HaShem protect him.
The Bechor Shor understands the verse differently. The words "HaShem will be Lord for me" mean that by HaShem protecting Yaakov, it would be clear to people that he had a Supreme Lord watching over him, and the fact that his travels were safely guarded would display to the world that there is a Heavenly King above who is involved with the earth below. This was not a reward to Yaakov but a consequence which would impact Shomayim v'Aretz. When Yaakov proclaimed the name of that place "Bais Elokim" - the House of the Lord - the Bechor Shor explains, this further demonstrated to the physical world that there is a relationship between Heaven and Earth, just as Yaakov had experienced during his travels with the Divine Presence k'va'yachol. This was a "deal" which would be beneficial to Yaakov, to humanity and in its way, to the Koneh Shomayim v'Aretz.
In a later verse (30:1), the Torah says that when Yaakov set out on the road from Bais Elokim, "va'yisa Yaakov raglav" - and Yaakov picked up his feet. More than just an idiom for walking, the Torah is revealing here that knowing that HaShem was accompanying him on his travels made Yaakov feel as if he was flying along. His internal experience shifted from the mortal and mechanical process of walking to the transcendent and ethereal sense that he was being swept along by a Divine force. One of the kochos ha'nefesh is the ability to transform our attitude and feeling as a result of upgrading our thinking. Focusing on the thought that HaShem was with him altered his perception and his very experience from one of taking a long, arduous trek to one of flying along wherever HaShem would lead him.
The determination to place a sense of the Divine before ourselves can propel us to lofty heights. Our perception of events, our self-perception and our outlook can become G-d focused. Our sense of the sacred within and without can enhance each step we take.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
"...v'haya HaShem li l'Elokim..."
"...then HaShem will be the Lord for me..." (29:22)
The conditions which Yaakov Avinu appears to set here raise some theological questions. He petitioned that HaShem protect and guard him on his travels, and that His Presence stay with him. In return, Yaakov seems to pledge that he then will designate Him as his Lord. We can see the spiritual attachments which were part of Yaakov's life, and how his thoughts on his journey were about keeping close to HaShem, and having HaShem close to him. However, many of the great commentaries struggle with the appearance of "serving HaShem on the condition of getting a reward" (Pirkei Avos 1:3). The verse seems to imply that Yaakov said "if HaShem will stay with me then I will make Him my Lord." That sounds as if he was agreeing to serve HaShem on the condition that HaShem protect him.
The Bechor Shor understands the verse differently. The words "HaShem will be Lord for me" mean that by HaShem protecting Yaakov, it would be clear to people that he had a Supreme Lord watching over him, and the fact that his travels were safely guarded would display to the world that there is a Heavenly King above who is involved with the earth below. This was not a reward to Yaakov but a consequence which would impact Shomayim v'Aretz. When Yaakov proclaimed the name of that place "Bais Elokim" - the House of the Lord - the Bechor Shor explains, this further demonstrated to the physical world that there is a relationship between Heaven and Earth, just as Yaakov had experienced during his travels with the Divine Presence k'va'yachol. This was a "deal" which would be beneficial to Yaakov, to humanity and in its way, to the Koneh Shomayim v'Aretz.
In a later verse (30:1), the Torah says that when Yaakov set out on the road from Bais Elokim, "va'yisa Yaakov raglav" - and Yaakov picked up his feet. More than just an idiom for walking, the Torah is revealing here that knowing that HaShem was accompanying him on his travels made Yaakov feel as if he was flying along. His internal experience shifted from the mortal and mechanical process of walking to the transcendent and ethereal sense that he was being swept along by a Divine force. One of the kochos ha'nefesh is the ability to transform our attitude and feeling as a result of upgrading our thinking. Focusing on the thought that HaShem was with him altered his perception and his very experience from one of taking a long, arduous trek to one of flying along wherever HaShem would lead him.
The determination to place a sense of the Divine before ourselves can propel us to lofty heights. Our perception of events, our self-perception and our outlook can become G-d focused. Our sense of the sacred within and without can enhance each step we take.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 7:39 PM
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