YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
At his last meeting with Lavan, after he embarked upon his return to Cana’an, Yaakov again took a rock and turned it into a monument, related to the non-belligerence treaty he made with Lavan (ibid. 31:45-53). Upon his return to the Land, Yaakov kept his promise and placed a monument at the place of his dream and called it Beit El (ibid. 35:14-15). Unfortunately, not much later, he had to erect another matzeva, at the burial plot of Rachel (ibid. 19-20).
Opposite the matzeva that Yaakov erected, made so Yaakov could pour libations to Hashem, Lavan’s relatives put together a pile of stones, which could serve for idol worship (see ibid. 31:46, which we understand as Yaakov telling not his "brothers" but Lavan’s, as we find the syntax regarding Paroh and Yosef’s brothers – ibid. 47:3).
Rabbeinu Bachyei connects between the story of Rachel’s stealing of her father’s terafim, to rid him of his idol worship, and the pile of stones that also symbolized idol worship. The agreement between Yaakov and Lavan therefore ended with Lavan swearing in the name of Nachor’s god and Yaakov swearing in the name of the G-d of Yitzchak, who had been bound to the altar as part of his dedication to belief in the one G-d (see also Abarbanel ad loc.). Upon this backdrop, we can suggest the following explanation.
Yaakov understood the deep significance of his flight to his uncle, Lavan’s, home, considering that the latter was a known idol worshipper. This was a very spiritually dangerous step. When he erected the matzeva in Beit El and made the promise about his return, he was proclaiming that even in Charan he would serve only the G-d of his father and his grandfather, who fought against all forms of idol worship. Yaakov’s placing of the rival monuments was also a declaration that there was a gulf between his approach and that of Lavan. Along those lines, he renewed his dedication to Hashem upon returning to Beit El. It is possible that Yaakov did not find out about Rachel’s stealing of her father’s terafim, and his curse of the thief was involved in her premature death. Even so, when Yaakov put a matzeva by her grave, this too was part of his creating a spiritual center, which stood as a lesson to the surrounding population of the approach of Avraham and Yitzchak, as the service of Hashem on a single rock was unique to them at that time.
It is true that after the giving of the Torah, a matzeva became forbidden, and an altar had to be built out of stones, which represented the idea of the members of the nation from their multiple tribes, joining together for service of Hashem through justice and charity (see Bereishit 18:19). May we succeed in building our state and society based on these ideals.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.