Emulating Yaakov Avinu in Galus - Part 1
Yaakov Avinu is referred to as the Av of Galus. He spent much of his life outside of the future homeland and away from the kedusha that is inherent in Eretz Yisrael. Furthermore, he was separated from the Bais Av, the home of his beloved parents and the nurturing ruchnius environment that existed around someone who was considered an Olah Temima. However, as one of the Avos, he was not meant to live in the shadows of his illustrious ancestors but to carve out his own niche and contribution for the eternal chosen people. The future nation would ultimately spend the vast majority of their existence until the end of time in galus. It would be in that environment that Israel would need to not only survive but also prepare it to be the vehicle that would enable the Shechina to reside in this world.
How well prepared was Yaakov for this challenging experience, and what guiding messages should all future generations embrace and employ in order to survive the spiritual hostility, and despite it, ready themselves for the ultimate glory of Binyan Bais Shlishi? “ With Lavan I sojourned and Taryag Mitzvos I kept”. This statement speaks volumes in answering both questions.
From Chazal and the Sefarim HaKedoshim we can glean many ideas and lessons for our topic. Of those, for our current generation, three lessons standout to embrace in order to successfully make our contribution to Israel's collective purpose.
First, Chazal tell us, that Yaakov Avinu made a fourteen-year detour to Yeshivas Shem v’Aver on his way into galus. His understanding of the challenges that lay ahead would require a chinuch that perhaps he had not and could not have received from his father. This decision was rooted in the notion of “training Al Pi Darko”. Yaakov knew what he needed and pursued it.
Second, the Sefarim HaKedoshim point out that the statement, “Taryag Mitzvos Shemarti”, is not truly accurate. It wasn’t possible for Yaakov to fulfill Taryag Mitzvos outside of Eretz Yisrael and without a Mikdash. It’s the same situation that we find ourselves in today. Chazal guide us with the advice that “all who learn the Torah of Korbanos it’s as if he offered the korban”. Also, the insight of the Rabeinu Yonah on the declaration of Israel at Har Sinai, “Na’aseh V’Nishma”, provides all generations with powerful advice. Asks the Rabeinu Yonah, how is it possible for the nation to promise to do something (Na’aseh) before they knew what and how to do it (Nishma)? He answered, the declaration at Har Sinai emanated from a people who at that moment had a deep and burning desire to fulfill the entire Torah. That desire counted as if they actually fulfilled it in its entirety. In a situation when you can’t, wanting to, counts as if you did.
Third, the Torah states, “…with Lavan I sojourned…” Chazal teach us that despite living with Lavan, Yaakov was able to keep Taryag Mitzvos; “…I didn’t learn from the ways of evil people”. The Chasam Sofer wrote that not learning from the ways of evil people refers to not being influenced by actions of bad people to enhance the keeping of Taryag Mitzvos. He brought the following example. Yaakov was aware that Lavan was a man of great passion. He saw that Lavan was passionate about his evil activities. Yaakov recognized that his passion was a sign of endearment for his ways and it enabled him to carry them out very effectively. Yaakov saw the same attribute in himself but was worried that perhaps his long association with Lavan influenced his passionate approach. If it was, he was fearful that his practice of Taryag would be tainted with Tumah. After careful intraspection, he recognized that his passion was intrinsically generated. Therefore, he could say, “I didn’t learn from the ways of evil people”. In galus we are surrounded by the Lavans, the Eisavs, etc., in their midst there is great wisdom, much that could greatly benefit Israel in its pursuit of fulfilling Taryag Mitzvos. Yaakov Avinu is teaching us that those insights no matter how logical and appropriate they seem to be, require that they be rooted in Torah thought. Then, we can embrace the ideas not because Dr. so and so said so, but rather it’s something that Chazal say.
Al Pi Darko, deeply desiring to fulfill Taryag Mitzvos and carefully avoiding incorporating the ideas of strangers into mili d’kedusha without solid Torah support are three ideas that enabled Yaakov to succeed exceedingly in galus and are appropriate for us to incorporate in our own lives as we wait out this final chapter.
We know that our comportment in galus will heavily influence when it will end. Hence, incorporating these ideas into our chinuch system to train our children appropriately is vital. Parents need to consider what are the Mekomos of Chinuch that recognize the importance of these ideas and have curriculums and strategies to incorporate them into the daily Torah lessons.
A gut Shabbos