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HASHGACHA PRATIS

This week’s Parsha, Vayeitzei, opens with our father Yaakov on his way to his uncle Lavan where he hoped to find a wife and begin his family. He knew that his family would be the beginning of the Jewish people. He also knew that Lavan was a man of evil design and recognized the dangers he would encounter living with him and raising his family there. With this in mind HaShem came to Yaakov and promised him that He will be with him and provide His direct Providence wherever he should go. HaShem’s promise of hashgacha pratis, personal providence, has been the legacy of our people which we inherited from our fathers. To the extent that a Jew places his trust and reliance on HaShem, to that extent HaShem supports and provides for him. As the prophet Yirmiyahu writes “Blessed is the person who relies upon HaShem, and HaShem will be his support.”

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TRANSPARENCY

Adapted from Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky’s talks

This week’s Parsha, Vayeitzei, opens with the scene of Yaakov sleeping on what will become the Temple Mount and dreaming. In his dream is a ladder on which angels are ascending and descending. The Midrash teaches us that these angels were fascinated by the image of Yaakov. In heaven his image appeared on the Throne of HaShem and down below they see him in complete physical form. The implication is that Yaakov is the ultimate image of what HaShem intended for Man to be. Somehow, Yaakov captured the essence of the perfect Man. What was Yaakov’s quality that won him that title?