Vayeitzei
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week’s parsha that after Yosef is born to Rachel, Yaakov tells Lavan he would like to return home. The pasuk says (Chapter 30, Pasuk 25), Vayehi Ka’asher Yaldah Rachel es Yosef, Vayomer Yaakov el Lavan Shalcheinee V’Aylcha el Mekomi U’Lartzi. After Rachel gave birth to Yosef, Yaakov told Lavan send me away and I will return to my land. The commentators ask why is it precisely after the birth of Yosef that Yaakov feels he is ready to return home and face Eisav?
Rashi explains that Yosef was “Sitno shel Eisav”, he was Eisav’s adversary. As the pasuk in Ovadiah teaches (Chapter 1, Pasuk 18), V’Hayah Beis Yaakov Eish U’Beis Yosef Lehavah, Yosef is referred to as the flame on the fire of Yaakov. Yosef gave focus and far-reaching strength to the fire of Yaakov. Hence, Yaakov felt he was ready to return home and deal effectively with Eisav precisely after the birth of Yosef.
The Sfas Emes gives us a deeper understanding of this idea. Every person is created with potential, and his objective in life is to bring this potential to fruition. Bringing children into the world is one of the ways of realizing this potential. Through ones children ones deeper essence is revealed to the world. The offspring are an expression of the hidden potential within the individual. They are a reflection of the parents from whom they come.
The most fundamental way a person realizes his potential is, of course, through his own deeds. As Chazal teach, Ikar Toldoseihem shel Tzadikim Ma’asim Tovim. The most essential and fundamental “offspring” of a person are his good deeds. This is the best way to actualize one’s potential, and when one refines his actions and increases his performance of mitzvoth, he expands his borders. His influence on the world around him is magnified as a result of his actions.
This was the effect created by Yosef. Rachel called him Yosef because his birth represented for her reproductive capabilities, as she says, Yosef Hashem Li Ben Acher. May Gd add for me another son. Similarly, Yaakov’s response upon his son’s birth was that he felt his own strength increased and expansion of influence which allowed him to have the confidence to face Eisav. He gave focus to Yaakov’s flame and allowed him to be “Sholet M’Rachok”, affect and control even great distances. After leaving home and going to Chutz L’Aretz, Yaakov felt he realized his potential sufficiently to return to Eretz Yisrael. The birth of his children, and specifically Yosef, represented his growth as an individual, and his newfound confidence to deal with the adversity of his brother Eisav.
When Rivka sent Yaakov away to the house of Lavan, she tells him (Chapter 27, Pasuk 45), V’Shachach es Asher Asisa Lo, V’Shalachti U’Lekachticha Misham. You should stay by Lavan until Eisav forgets what you have done for him. Then I will send for you and bring you back from there.
The Torah gives us another reason for the name of Yosef. Rachel says when Yosef is born (Chapter 30, Pasuk 23), Asaf Elokim es Cherpasi. Gd has gathered my shame of not having children. Rashi explains it to mean that He has gathered it and hidden it away so that it will not be noticed. The two reasons for Yosef’s name represent two seemingly opposing forces coming simultaneously and working together. The notion of expansion and addition comes hand in hand with the removal and forgetting of Rachel’s previous shame.
The Sfas Emes teaches in many places this idea in relation to the mitzvoth of Shamor and Zachor on Shabbos (see what we wrote a few weeks back on Lech Lecha). On Shabbos we refrain from doing work by forgetting our mundane life from the week, the mitzvah of Shamor, and simultaneously we remember the holiness of Shabbos and our greater potential, the mitzvah of Zachor. This mirrors the work of Yaakov in Chutz L’Aretz. When he felt he had realized his potential and growing influence and strength, he told Lavan Shalcheinee, send me away. This is as his mother Rivka had said V’Shalachti U’Lekachticha Misham, I will send for you and bring you home. For just as you are feeling more confident in your growth, Eisav has forgotten what you have done. The remembering and realizing of Yaakov’s potential coincides with his adversary Eisav forgetting what he has done to him. And this happens when Yosef is born, whose name represents the growth process inherent in the removal and forgetting of a previous shame. Shamor V’Zachor B’Dibbur Echad.
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