Close To Torah

Last week’s Parsha ended with a list of Eisav’s elaborate descendants. Scores of kings and families are mentioned. This is contrasted by the opening verse of this week’s Parsha which only mentions Yaakov as the father of Yosef. Rashi (Bereishis 37:1) is perplexed by this comparison and brings down the famous Midrash which explains the lesson.

There once was a faithful blacksmith. One day, an evil salesman entered the city and began to bring in camel-loads of flax to sell. He quickly took over the city with disregard for the fact that his flax was infringing on people’s private property. As the camels poured in, the streets were completely filled with flax. The blacksmith was very concerned that he would lose business as his store was no longer visible. A wise man pointed out to him, “do not fear, one spark will fly out from your anvil and burn down the myriads of flax!” So too when Yaakov saw all of the multitudes of Eisav, he was scared. Hashem however reassured him, “do not fear! You are like fire and Yosef is like the traveling flame, he will destroy all of Eisav’s masses. (This is referring to the time of Mashiach and in general to the fact that Yosef’s trait of self-control combats Eisav’s passion for sin.)

I have always thought it interesting that the blacksmith specifically took down the flax merchant by way of one “accidental” spark. The blacksmith spends his day making metal weapons and hard objects. However, he did not use those weapons to subdue the flax or its owner. Rather it was from the spark that shot out of his swing that won the war. This is to show us that so many times in life, we do not gain victory or success by natural means or from our personal plans. Our job is to put in effort and to try our best; ultimately Hashem is the One Who delivers success. He waits for our efforts and that is where success emanates from, sometimes from the most surprising places, like a shooting spark!

“Many ideas are planned in man’s heart (לב), but the counsel of Hashem is what prevails (Mishley 19:21).” The heart is the center of human emotions. When the heart recognizes that Hashem is in full control, that is the ultimate achievement of wisdom. However, before that point, man ineffectively thinks that his own strength (כח) is what brings him success.

The human hand contains 14 joints (3 on each finger and 2 on the thumb). Thus both hands combined contain 28 joints. This hints to the natural reliance one has on his own strength and hands (כ”ח (literally: strength) =28). However, when the Kohen pronounces the Priestly Benediction, he spread his hands into four parts representing the four letters of Hashem’s name. This adds 4 to the 28 thus totaling 32 (=לב), the deep and emotional recognition that Hashem runs the world.

The Kabbalists write that man has 28 teeth plus four additional molars, totaling 32 (לב). The number twenty-eight hints to Koheles (Chapter 3) where Shlomo enumerates twenty-eight varied human actions and emotions that fill the average life-span. A time for… birth, death, laughter, crying, war and peace, etc. The complete gamut of life stages, the natural world. The purpose of the Jew is to add the recognition of Hashem’s presence (represented by the four letters of Hashem’s name) and guidance into all his endeavors. This is the significance of the “wisdom teeth”. They are the additional four molars that bring the teeth total to 32 (לב). The Kabbalists write that the 32 teeth correspond to the 32 paths of wisdom which are found in the Torah and can be contained in one’s heart. The teeth represent the ultimate wisdom (just as teeth dissect food and effect expression, so too wisdom is the dissection and expression of knowledge). The knowledge and security of knowing that Hashem is in full control of our destiny is true wisdom that brings warm feelings to one’s heart and a beautiful smile to one’s face!d the ultimate greatness in life!

 Print

Categories: Parshas Vayeishev Tags: Faith in Hashem, Jewish Wisdom Teeth Perspective