Dear Reader,Welcome to the short,
practical and late (again) Lelamed Weekly Dvar. Enjoy...
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In this week's Parsha, Vayishlach, we find Yaakov crossing the
Jordan River with his family, and going back for some small
earthenware jugs that he forgot (Talmud: Chulin 91). Why would a
wealthy man such as Yaakov have to go back for a few jugs? The
answer, according to Rabbi Shraga Simmons, is that Yaakov lived
with the understanding that whatever possessions G-d gave him
were for a purpose. As such, the jugs were as precious as
jewels. To Yaakov, the fact that they were inexpensive didn't
matter. Rabbi Ezriel Tauber explains this with the following
metaphor: If we were thirsty and asked a friend to bring us
water, if they bring a paper cup filled with water, we would
drink the water and throw out the cup. But now let's say we were
wandering in the desert dying of thirst. If we were to lift our
eyes to Heaven and say, "G-d, I'm dying, please make a miracle
and send water!!" and behold, a hand reaches down from Heaven
and gives us water in a paper cup. We would certainly drink the
water... But what about the cup? We wouldn't throw it away - a
cup from Heaven is a great souvenir! Because G-d could have sent
us the water any way He wanted, like making it rain, or created
a well, or simply opened our mouth and pouring the water in. The
fact that G-d handed us a paper cup tells us that He not only
wanted us to have the water, He wanted us to have the cup too.
We're only expected to work with the tools G-d provides, and
whatever He provides is precisely what we need. Whether or not
the eventual goal is completed is only in G-d's hands. This idea
of having everything we need is emphasized again in our Parsha,
when after 20 years apart, Yaakov is reunited with his twin
brother Esav. In describing their state of affairs, Esav says,
"I have a lot;" and Yaakov says, "I have everything". (33:9-11)
The difference is subtle, but in fact speaks volumes. Esav is
saying "I have a lot..." but I sure could use more, whereas
Yaakov is saying, "According to my part in G-d's grand eternal
plan, I have everything - exactly what I need." If we look at
every possession (even little jugs) and situation as a special
gift from G-d, the puzzle of life becomes truly meaningful, and
more importantly, complete!