JOB DESCRIPTION
In this week’s Parsha, Toldos we find two distinctly different visions for the Jewish people. We have Yitzchok’s pre-blessing vision and Rivka’s vision to which Yitzchok conceded in the end. As children of this incredible people let us familiarize ourselves with these visions.
Both Yitzchok and Rivka understood that their children would be the people chosen by HaShem to bring the world to its state of perfection. That was to be accomplished by being a Nation of Priests and a light unto the nations. They both under-stood that Yaakov was to be the spiritual leader of this nation. Yaakov was a man of Torah study while Eisov was a man of the field. Yaakov was a man of spirit while Eisov was a man of material.
Their point of contention was regarding Eisov’s role. Yitzchok believed Eisov was a fine soul. Although he was attached to the material world, nevertheless, that did not conflict with the mission of the Jewish people. As long as we exist in this world of material reality we must live with it as such. Just as every Yeshiva has an administra-tive arm which runs the material side of the Yeshiva, so too, the Jewish people re-quire an administrative arm to care for the economy, the military, governance and other necessary auxiliary material needs. This would be Eisov’s role. In Yitzchok’s vision he saw Eisov running the admin arm and Yaakov would be the Rosh Yeshiva. As such, there was no need for Eisov to be a man of spirit, it was not in the job description.
Rivka understood that while that model may work, Eisov was not going to fill that position. In order to properly fill that position, the admin must recognize their role as secondary to the role of the Rosh Yeshiva. It is the Rosh Yeshiva who carries the mission of the Yeshiva. The admin’s role is only to be the support. Eisov, however, saw the material world as the purpose of life to the exclusion of spiritual achievements.
In Rivka’s model, there was certainly a place for an administrative arm. However, it was to come from the children of Yaakov. Rivka understood that our nation must have doctors, account-ants, lawyers and businessmen, but all of them must find them-selves in Yaakov’s camp. Even those running the admin office must be people who are driven to spiritual achievements.
As we look around today at our beautiful nation we find men in all lines of professions studying Torah as our father Yaakov did.
While the amount of time dedicated to Torah study may fluctuate there is no distinction in the primacy they place on Torah study and observance.
How fortunate we are that the beauty of Torah and the love for her is available for every member of our people irrespective of the role they play in the larger scheme. It is part of every Jew’s job description.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind