Close Ties – Parshas Vayeitzei 5771
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Loading ...- Unleashing the Power – Parshas Bereishis 5771
- Will The Real Noach Please Rise – Parshas Noach 5771
- Personal Emunah – Parshas Lech Lecha 5771
- Unique Characters – Parshas Vayeira 5771
- Succos All Year! – Parshas Chayei Sarah 5771
- Internal View – Parshas Toldos 5771
- Close Ties – Parshas Vayeitzei 5771
- Unnerving Dedication – Parshas Vayishlach 5771
- Effort and Wisdom – Parshas Vayeishev 5771
- Yosef HaTzaddik and Chanukah – Parshas Mikeitz and Chanukah 5771
- Tears of Joy – Parshas Vayigash 5771
- Yaakov and Yisrael – Parshas Vayechi 5771
- Gratitude and Exodus – Parshas Shemos 5771
- Raising to Greatness – Parshas Va’eira 5771
- Lasting Integrity – Parshas Bo 5771
- Dedicated Actions – Parshas Beshalach 5771
- Working Together – Parshas Yisro 5771
- Holy Laws – Parshas Mishpatim 5771
- A Meaningful Relationship – Parshas Terumah 5771
- Daily Reminders – Parshas Tetzaveh 5771
- Shabbos Kodesh – Parshas Ki Sisa 5771
- Team Effort – Parshas Vayakhel 5771
- Chazak Chazak V’NisChazaik! – Parshas Pekudei 5771
- Middos Development – Parshas Vayikra 5771
- Most Befitting – Parshas Tzav and Purim 5771
- Golden Silence – Parshas Shemini 5771
- Torah Guidance – Parshas Tazria 5771
- Peace and Respect – Parshas Metzora 5771
- The Birth of a Nation – Pesach 5771
- Love and Respect – Parshas Kedoshim 5771
- Preparation – Parshas Emor 5771
- Close to Hashem – Parshas Behar 5771
- The Value of Life – Parshas Bechukosai 5771
- Not Just A Statistic – Parshas Bamidbar 5771
- Proper Berachos – Parshas Nasso 5771
- How to Acquire Torah – Shavuos and Parshas Beha’aloscha 5771
- Positive Outlook – Parshas Shelach 5771
- Family Ties – Parshas Korach 5771
- Education 101 – Parshas Chukas 5771
- A Beautiful Safe Haven – Parshas Balak 5771
Yaakov spent twenty years working for the crooked Lavan. Finally, Hashem told him that it was time to leave. Yaakov knew that Lavan would not let him go and thus he fled with his family under the cover of night. Lavan pursued him with the intent of inflicting revenge, however, Hashem warned Lavan not to hurt Yaakov. Yaakov and Laven met and erected a monument to proclaim that neither of them would cross over to hurt the other. The verse describes the building of this divider: (Bereishis 31:46) “Yaakov told his brothers to collect stones, and they collected and built the monument together and they ate there.” Who were Yaakov’s brothers?! Rashi fills us in that this refers to his sons; since they worked together they are called brothers. What is going on here?
At this point, there was a battle of ideologies going on. Yaakov represented truth and Lavan was the embodiment of deceit and greed. Lavan was the father of Rachel and Leah, Yaakov’s wives and thus the grandfather of Yaakov’s children. Throughout their 20 years together, Yaakov worked to instill the beauty and truth of Hashem in the hearts of his children. However, Lavan also tried to instill his personal evil perspectives in the influenceable kids. Yaakov himself stated that keeping the 613 Mitzvos in Lavan’s house was a great feat!
It was at this point that Lavan came to reclaim his grandchildren. This is why he yelled, “they are mine (Bereishis 31:43l)!” Yaakov, however, informed Lavan, that his
family was dedicated to Hashem and could no longer stay in a house of idol worship. This was a decisive time in the lives of the 12 young tribe leaders. Who would they
follow, did they want to be like their righteous father or their evil grandfather? They chose to stay with Yaakov and the verse tells us why. The most important aspect of
Chinuch, says Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt”l (1908-1995) is how Rashi (Bereishis 45:8) translates the word “ct, father: a friend and one that cares for your wellbeing”. Yaakov
established a relationship of love and brotherhood and thus his children chose to follow his example. This is a powerful lesson for all generations. The way to inspire hearts is to
share love, care, and respect in a genuine and real way. This invites our children to explore the beauty and meaning of our heritage and to choose good over Lavan.
Categories: Parshas Vayeitzei
