Vayetze: Stimulating Trials
Jacob and Laban
This week’s Parsha describes our Patriarch Jacob’s journey from parents’ home to the home of his uncle Laban. This was a journey from a place of sacred purity to a pit of immorality and deceit. Understandably, it was a difficult journey.
Yet it was in Laban’s home where Jacob grew in spirit and succeeded in planting seeds that later blossomed into twelve righteous tribes. The father figures of the chosen nation were born in an environment of moral depravity! Why did G-d ordain that Jacob find himself in this setting when he formed the building blocks of the Jewish people? This is in effect an old question, why does G-d place so many obstacles in the path he choses for mankind?
Inner Strength
Struggle and adversity brings out the best in us. We access our inner reservoir and draw forth new measures of strength. If we were never challenged we would never have need to call upon our inner reserve and would never have opportunity to bring it forth.
To lay down the foundation of Judaism Jacob required immeasurable spiritual strength; a condition brought about only through trial and adversity. In Laban’s home Jacob was spiritually tried. He was forced to bring forth hidden reserves and with it he laid down the foundation for Judaism.
Tags: strength, triumph
