Close To Torah

When Yaakov left Beer Sheva in order to get married he stopped at the area of the Mikdash and built an altar for Hashem. Rabbeinu Bechaya brings down the Midrash (Pirkei D’Rebbe Eliezer 35) which states that Yaakov arrived on Har Hamoriah, the place where his father Yitzchok was bound and placed on an altar before Hashem. This was where the akiada, binding, had taken place. At the last minute Hashem had told Avraham not to sacrifice Yitzchok but instead to bring up a ram on the altar. Yaakov took twelve stones from that very same altar and they all miraculously came together to form one rock. This hinted to the fact that Yaakov would produce twelve children who would be the tribes of Israel. It also hinted to the unity of the Jewish nation in that they became one. What is the deeper lesson here about the use of these very rocks?

Jewish Foundation

Throughout Sefer Berieshis we have learned about the stuff of the Jewish nation. We learn about the dedication and energy which each of the Avos and Imahos invested into building the Jewish people. Avraham invested great effort into being a shining beacon of light and kindness to the world. He taught people to love and appreciate the kindness of Hashem. But at the same time he was a dedicated servant of Hashem ready to sacrifice his most beloved son on a moment’s notice. The akaida represented Avraham and Yitzchok’s intimate connection and dedication to Hashem. As Yaakov was leaving his parent’s home to take a wife and begin Klal Yisrael these were the ideals that were on his mind.

Yaakov went to Har Hamoriah the place where the Divine Presence dwelled in order to show that he was continuing the link in the chain of the Jewish nation. Yaakov took stones from that holy altar where Avraham was willing to give up his son for Hashem and Yitzchok was willing to make that ultimate sacrifice. This was the foundation of the Jewish nation. Yitzchok was considered the pure sacrifice who offered himself before Hashem. Yaakov now wished to continue that tradition and he found that his twelve stones became one. Yaakov would work hard to encourage his children to have unity and to work together to get along. This would be his ultimate dream. This is what he envisioned as he embarked upon the next stage of his life to build the twelve tribes.

Material Wealth

All three of the Avos were extremely wealthy. Hashem promised them spiritual and physical wealth and this widened their power and sphere of influence. Yaakov however expressed the Jewish attitude on wealth. He stated that all he asked for from Hashem was “bread to eat and clothing to wear (Bereishis 28:20).” Yaakov was not looking for the indulgences and luxuries of this world. He was looking to live in peace and to have the ability to serve Hashem from comfort and security (Rabbeinu Bechaya).

The Avos taught us to focus on what is most important in life. Avraham shared his wealth with anyone in need. Yitzchok and Avraham showed themselves to be dedicated and unwavering servants of Hashem at the akiada. Yaakov showed that unity was a vital key for the nation. He also expressed the understanding that spiritual goals were eternal and worth more than any material accomplishment in the world.

 Print

Categories: Parshas Vayeitzei Tags: