Parshas Vayeitzei 5775
In this week’s parsha we see an exchange between Yaakov Avinu and his wives, Lea and Rachel, that seems puzzling. When Yaakov informs them about their impending return to Eretz Canaan, he first speaks at length (five verses) about how wrongly their father Lavan had treated him for so many years, and how he nevertheless remained his loyal employee. Only afterwards does Yaakov add that an angel appeared to him and told him to return to Eretz Canaan. Wasn’t the command of the angel enough? Why did Yaakov have to preface the command with a whole speech?
The response of Rachel and Lea is equally confusing. They too respond with three verses filled with claims against their father’s dealings with them, after which they conclude: do whatever Hashem tells you.
The glaring question, though, is: Isn’t Hashem’s command enough? What’s all this talking about Lavan’s unfair behavior? And if Lavan had behaved differently, they would not have done what Hashem told them to do? Why are they debating, in the most mundane terms, the practical justifications for fulfilling the dvar Hashem?
Of course they would have done the command anyway. Yaakov and the Imahos weren’t weighing the pros and cons of keeping a mitzva, chalila. Only, they were trying to instill in themselves the sense that Hashem’s command at this time was in fact the best thing for them. Even though picking up and leaving one’s home is usually a difficult and emotional nisayon, in this case they were giving voice to the fact that it was only for their benefit. Yaakov’s intent was to make sure that they carry out this potentially difficult command with a sense of joy.
Harav Eliyahu Lopian notes that this episode serves to bring out an important principle of Yiddishkeit: a Jew must do mitzvos with the spirit that they are the best thing to do.
Sounds simple? Let’s be honest and ask ourselves if this is what we really think. As we go about our mitzva observance, is there ever the idea that, “Yes, I’m willing to suffer a bit because that’s what Hashem wants…” This parsha shows us that this is not the way. To go through life with the idea that “I’m slaving away to give Hashem nachas“ is not lechatchila. Living according to the Torah is not just for olam haba, it’s the ideal way to live in this world as well. A Jew must try to do mitzvos with simcha and a sense of fulfillment.
The Ramchal, in his introduction to Pis’chei Chachma adds that doing Hashem’s will with simcha is the key to breaking a person’s yetzer hara. When a person builds up a sense of oneg, of delight in mitzvos, this combats other forms of desire, namely the taavos of olam hazeh.
The Rambam says similarly (Isurei bi’ah 22:21) that the best way to rid oneself of his love for taavos is to be immersed in love of knowledge. Of note is that the Rambam stresses that love of chachma is what pushes away and can ultimately vanquish the “love,” or really lust, for physical taavos. Meaning, the more we develop a sense of joy in our avodas Hashem, the greater will be our strength in overcoming the yetzer hara.
Joy in Torah study and mitzva observance is in fact the key to our spiritual growth. The Zohar (cited in the introduction to the sefer Iglei Tal) states that the yetzer hatov can only grow and develop through simcha. Simcha provides the fuel, the energy that propels a Jew ever further in his advancement in ruchniyus.
So what can we do in order to foster a sense of simcha? As for Torah study, lomdim at any level can testify to having tasted the geshmak of Torah, some more and some less (of course, beginners need to put in extra effort to break in to Talmud study, but after that point they too can appreciate the joy of learning).
Shabbos is also a source of simcha. Even staunchly secular Jews understand the attraction of holding a family seuda, singing zemiros and sharing Torah ideas while enjoying delicious dishes in a serene atmosphere free of radio, TV and other gadgets. We should delight in the Shabbos and feel uplifted by it.
Tefilla can be a source of pleasure. Being expected to maintain a close, verbal relationship with the Creator of the world, opening oneself to Him — is an uplifting spiritual experience as well. How often do people sense that “after tefilla, I feel better.”
Mitzvos bein adam lechaveiro are tangible opportunities to bring good into the world. Living with the awareness that I can be the source for positive change and profoundly affect the lives of others is itself a rewarding spiritual experience.
But what about the chukim? What about mitzvos that we obey without knowing the reason behind them or any perceived benefit? How are we supposed to derive simcha or feel a sense of fulfillment in them?
Rav Moshe Marnik writes (in his sefer, Hisbonenus Umaaseh) that we can find joy in fulfilling the chukim with the kavana that “I am zoche to carry out the will of Hashem, and this makes me closer to Him.” Every mitzva we do builds us, enhancing our personality. This approach to mitzvos creates a joyful sense of accomplishment, and in fact this should be the main approach, even for those mitzvos mentioned above that offer “fringe benefits” in this world, too. The main inspiration we should find in mitzvos is that through them we come closer to Hashem (see Mesilas Yesharim Perek 19). If a person does mitzvos without thinking about what he is doing, he of course won’t feel any simcha in them, but one who is aware of the importance of mitzvos and the way they connect him to Hashem feels endless joy and gratitude to Hashem for having the privilege to do them.
Rav Marnik noted this very phenomenon in his yeshiva. For years, the yeshiva employed a cook who did not enjoy her work. She was ever complaining about how hard the job was, the pay was too little, the bachurim were “driving her crazy,” etc.
Later, a new cook took over, and while she did the same work for the same wage, she was always happy. For her, this was a way to serve Hashem. “How lucky I am that I can prepare food for lomdei Torah and make a contribution to their learning. Im ein Kemach ein Torah,” she would always say.
May we be zoche to find joy in Torah and mitzvos!