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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Jacob ben Bechora
Let us proceed with a simple question. Why did it take Yaakov so long to make it home, especially considering his parents’ age (actually, Rivka died soon before he returned)? The following suggestion could not only answer the question but also shed light on the previous issue. Yaakov told Eisav that he had to go slowly, according to the pace of the children. Perhaps he was referring to their spiritual development. He had taken them out of the influence of their grandfather, Lavan, but as we see from some of the stories (see Bereishit 35:2), a process of purification was needed. Perhaps Yaakov felt that it was not yet the right time to present his children to his holy father, before they reached his expectations.
If this is the case, then there is a connection between Yaakov’s delay and his refusal to have Dina marry Eisav. He lacked sufficient trust in his children’s spiritual ability to cope with challenges. Generally, being extra careful because of the concern that one’s child is not ready to cope may be prudent. However, when one refrains from an important mitzva, in this case, honoring one’s parents or saving one’s brother’s spiritual state, underestimating the children can be a serious offense. The unnecessary delay also prevented his children from being positively influenced by Yitzchak and, to the contrary, they struggled with tests along the way.
We can now answer the following question. If Yaakov was late in fulfilling his oath, why did that happen? Actually, Yaakov said that his side of the deal would begin when Hashem would enable him to return in peace to his father’s home (Bereishit 28:21). Yaakov had not yet returned, so how was he late? The answer is that Hashem had done His part in enabling him to return. The fact that he was unnecessarily hesitant did not entitle him to say that he had not returned; therefore, he was already obligated to build the "house of Hashem."
Rabbis in Midrash
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
