Everyone Needs an Anchor
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
In this weeks parsha we learn about Yaakov’s journey to Charan, his life there and how he worked for Lavan for 20 years. During those 20 years of hard work he married his wives, had children, the shevatim and amassed a great wealth. When he finally left Charan to return to his father’s home Lavan chased him. In the end they came to an agreement and built a wall of separation and peace. This story happened so long ago, what does it teach us and how is it relevant to our lives today?
The Ohr HaChayim HaHadosh explains that this story is a metaphor for every Jew: just as Yaakov descended to Charan, so too a soul descends into this world. Lavan represents the deception of this world. When a Jew is aware and works with this mindset he cannot get lost. We don’t get lost when we remember our ID, that we have a neshama and that we have a purpose. When Yaakov took the sheep of Lavan he brought them from the domain of idolatry into the possessions of a Tzaddik which elevated them to Kedusha. This is relevant to each one of us as well. By using our physical environment in the service of Hashem we convert it to Kedusha.
The Medresh says that Yaakov didn’t sleep for all the years that he worked for Lavan. What did he do to stay anchored to his purpose? What did he say during all those cold nights that he tended the sheep? The Medresh explains that he said the 15 Shir HaMaalos, songs of elevation that are found in Tehillim. In those 15 chapters it says: “From where will my help come from?” “My help will come from Hashem, the Maker of heaven and earth” The meaning of this is that he was saying that Hashem helped him spiritually and gave him strength to endure during the many years of challenge and hardship by Lavan. What is the significance of them being 15 prayers specifically? 15 represent the z’chus the merit of his forefathers, Avraham and Yitzchok. The reason they represent them is because 15 is the number of years that the Patriarchs Avraham Yitzchok and Yaakov were together here in this world. During all his travail he did not lose his connection to his father or his grandfather. This was his anchor. Today we all need an anchor.
Sometime after my father passed, my mother called and asked me to come over. When I arrived she showed me something she came across in father’s weekday kapote. It was an envelope with two letters folded up inside of it. The first one was a letter from the previous Rebbe dated Teves 5710-1950, the last letter he had received. It was in three pieces that was taped together. The second letter was from the Rebbe dated 5712-1952. It was in four pieces with the sides and top missing from so much use. He carried it with him for 45 years; he opened and closed it. He kept it near and dear to him. It was his anchor. Both letters spoke about shlichus. The Rebbe’s letter spoke about being in Los Angeles on shlichus. The Rebbe said not to feel that he is far away in exile while in Los Angeles, longing for the opportunity to return. So for over 45 years he kept them with him, opening and closing them, thinking about his connection to the Rebbe and his purpose. So to for us, we are not alone, and we too need to focus on our purpose here.
Just as Yaakov completed his shlichus by saying the 15 Shir HaMaalos with simcha, so to us, by staying anchored, connected to the Rebbe and praying for a z’chus a merit with simcha, we too will accomplish our shlichus in this world and return to our father Yitzchok with the coming of Moshiach Now
A Good Shabbos