It’s only with Hashem’s Help
that we get through Troubling Times
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
The Rebbe teaches us that the most important thing in troubling times is to remain active both physically and spiritually. True we must remain active, but what is most important, how do we do it and what do we have in mind, as we remain active? Certainly we need add in saying Tehillim giving tzedaka, learning Torah and increasing in ahavas Yisroel. In particular this year it’s especially important to add in Hakel gatherings. We learn an important lesson from this week’s parsha about how to stay focused during troubling times.
Once a young child in cheder asked his teacher a question on parshas Vayeitzei. He asked what the meaning of the all the differences between Laban’s sheep and Yaakov’s sheep; the white sheep and dark sheep, the spotted sheep, speckled sheep, and sheep with rings around their ankles. The teacher answered him: “Why do you need to know? The important thing is that Yaakov Avinu made a good parnassa, a good living, that’s the main point.”
What does the story of the flocks and that Yaakov was a shepherd teach us? What’s so important about the detailed description of Yaakov work life and his work in general? Do we need to know that Yaakov, the Chosen from among the Avos was busy making money by Lavan? What relevance does it have to our lives today?
Chassidus explains that Yaakov’s entire focus by working for Lavan was birur hanitzutzos, clarifying the Divine sparks hidden within Lavan’s property. By taking ownership of the flocks and using them in the service of Hashem he was able to convert the divine sparks within them to kedusha.
This explanation is very relevant to each one of us today because not everyone is able to learn all day. We see that most Jewish people do learn and daven a whole day. Maybe it’s financially not possible or it’s not our nature, but the reality is that we cannot or shouldn’t necessarily be ensconced in the Beis Hamidrash 24 hours a day. Most of us are involved in business or have a job or a home to take care of. Still however, just as Yaakov began the first part of his career in the tent of Torah and Tefillah, so too we begin each day with davening and learning. Specifically because we begin each day this way we impact, change and elevate this world. When we interact in business we elevate it to kedusha by acting according to Shulchan Aruch, and then by using our income to do mitzvos.
The Midrash asks: What would Yaakov say (when he was working by Lavan)? The Midrash answers that either he said Tehillim or the 15 Shir HaMaalos within Tehillim. Why does the Midrash ask such a question: What would Yaakov say? What does that matter, he was busy working!? The message of the Midrash is that by Yaakov there’s no such thing as “just work”. True, he worked, but more importantly he was doing what he needed to do to complete his mission in this world. In order to do this he needed to remain strong throughout and never falter. He needed a support system against the influences of the trickster Lavan. He had children that needed a proper education so that they too would remain above these influences. How did he do it?
Therefore the Midrash asks the question: What would Yaakov say (or how would he daven to stay above it all)? And then the Midresh answers that he would say the 15 Shir HaMaalos. Throughout many of the Shir HaMaalos there is a repetitive request for Hashem’s protection. The Rebbe brings for example (Shir HaMaalos, chapter 121) “I lift up my eyes…from where will my help come? My help will come from Hashem, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Hashem made the heavens, the spiritual realms as well as the earth, the physical. He gave me the power while I was in Yeshiva with studying the Torah (the heavens) as well as in business (the earth). Throughout it all Yaakov remained focused that all his support comes from Hashem the Maker of heaven and earth. This is what gave him the power to educate his children. This is what ultimately got him out of Charan and enabled him to return to his father Yitzchok in Eretz Yisroel.
This is a message to each one of us, to take along with us on our journey through this world: My help will come from Hashem, the Maker of heaven and earth, both in the physical and the spiritual. This is our focus and this is what brings us success in all that we do.
In these troubling times we look toward the example of Yaakov by Lavan.
By not getting lost and staying focused, we will educate our children in the ways of Torah, mitzvos and Chassidus and be proud of them like Yaakov was of his children (us). Then we too will return to Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach Now!
A Good Shabbos!