Parshas Vayeitzai 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
ויהי כאשר ילדה רחל את יוסף ויאמר יעקב אל לבן שלחני ואלכה אל מקומי ולארצי ... (ל-כה)
Rashi explains that specifically at this juncture, immediately after Yosef was born, Yaakov Avinu requested a permanent leave of absence from Lavan’s employ. Chazal tell us that Yosef is Esav’s nemesis; the antidote to the power of Esav. Yaakov was fortified with this newfound strength and was now ready to face the ultimate adversity. The Sefas Emes elaborates as follows: הקב"ה gives a person kochos. These traits lie dormant inside, waiting to be brought out when needed. In Parshas Noach, Rashi says "עיקר תולדותיהם של צדיקים מעשים טובים". That means that besides the typical inborn strengths one may have, there lies in him a secret “sleeper cell”; an inner reservoir of power waiting to be activated when needed. This is called the koach of יוסף, to be מוסיף; pushing yourself just a little more. That is symbolized by a flame which lights up in the distance, as the נביא עובדיה says, "ובית יוסף להבה". The ability to “shtrengzich un” - to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, is what helps us overcome Esav, our physical and spiritual enemy. Once Yaakov had that, he was confident that he would succeed.
Perhaps we can be מוסיף a machshava. The realization that our progeny is a hosafa on us; a continuity of sorts. Continuing the unbroken chain is one of the greatest weapons in our arsenal to vanquish Esav. The gentiles have a disconnect between their generations, while we maintain a strong link. Thus, Yaakov Avinu was בטוח in this realization. And maybe davka via Yosef who personified the ultimate koach to be omed b’nisayon in the hardest of times with the דמות דיוקנו של אביו, was Yaakov Avinu ready to embark on the journey to face life’s challenges. This koach of Yosef, the power to push just a bit more, should enable us to be matzliach in both our personal trials and our communal tribulations, helping us to defeat all evils.
May we soon be zocheh to the Navi’s closing words in that posuk, "ולא יהיה שריד לבית עשו, כי ה' דבר".