AN UNUSUAL TEACHER

“Then Yaakov sent messengers ahead of him to Esau his brother to the land of Seir, the field of Edom. He charged them, saying: “Thus shall you say, ‘To my lord, to Esau, so said your servant Yaakov: I have sojourned with Lavan and have lingered until now.’” (Bereishit 32:4-5)

Yaakov had not seen his brother for more than three decades (see Rashi on Bereishit 28:9) and their parting had not been on good terms. He therefore sent messengers to ascertain Esau’s attitude before meeting him in person. Yaakov excused his absence with the words, “I have sojourned [garti] with Lavan and have lingered until now.” Rashi, in his first interpretation of the word garti, explains that Yaakov was attempting to placate Esau by indicating that he had been nothing more than a sojourner for many years. He was not a landowner and there was therefore no reason for Esau to harbour a grudge against him for taking his blessing because the blessing had not been fulfilled.  

Rashi offers a second, homiletical, explanation. He points to the numerical value of the word garti which is 613, the same as the number of mitzvoth in the Torah. Thus, Yaakov was sending a subtle message: “I sojourned with the wicked Lavan, yet I observed the 613 mitzvoth and I did not learn from his evil ways.” According to the Oral Law, the patriarchs observed the mitzvoth of the Torah, either fully or partially, before they were revealed to the Israelites at Sinai many generations later (see for example Rashi on Bereishit 26:5). Although there is no single Jew who can fulfil all 613 mitzvoth, the gist of Yaakov’s words was that he had remained faithful to God’s commandments even in the spiritual wasteland of Lavan’s home. It is somewhat perplexing why Yaakov would convey this message to Esau. Why would his brother care whether Yaakov had remained an observant ‘Jew’? Perhaps this message was intended to allay any fears that Esau might have had that his younger brother had developed into a villain like Lavan. Yaakov was telling him, “You have no need to fear me.  I will not swindle you or take advantage of you or attack you because I remain committed to the legacy of Yitzchak and Avraham.”

There is, however, a completely novel way to understand this statement of Yaakov, as recorded in the book Chofetz Chaim HeChadash Al HaTorah. Rabbi Zalman Drori (1915- 2001) learned in the Yeshiva of the Chofetz Chaim in Radin, Lithuania, before making aliyah and continuing his studies at the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikvah, Israel. He once gave a public address, the purpose of which was to encourage the listeners to improve their observance of Shabbat. One of the members of the audience was the mashgiach (spiritual head) of the Lomza Yeshiva, Rabbi Eliyahu Doshnitzer. Rabbi Drori cited Rashi’s comment and explained it as follows: Yaakov was in fact criticizing himself: “It is true that I observed the 613 mitzvoth. But I did not learn from the evil ways of Lavan! I should have emulated the incredible passion and zeal with which Lavan committed his evil deeds by serving God with equal zeal and passion when performing the mitzvoth!” Rabbi Drori used this message to exhort his audience to observe Shabbat with at least as much enthusiasm as those who seek to weaken Judaism and undermine the commandments. At the end of the address, Rabbi Doshnitzer approached Rabbi Drori to congratulate him on his remarks. He did, however, criticise him for what he perceived as an insult against Yaakov who was known as the “choicest of the patriarchs.” What right did Rabbi Drori have to say that Yaakov did not observe the mitzvoth with complete enthusiasm? Rabbi Drori replied with a question, “Did you agree with all my other comments?” Rabbi Doshnitzer answered in the affirmative. “If so,” continued Rabbi Drori, “I am at peace. All of the other comments were my own but what I said about Yaakov, that came from the mouth of our master the Chofetz Chaim!” Rabbi Doshnitzer then withdrew his criticism but nevertheless affirmed that Yaakov still retained his status as the “choicest of the fathers.”

Only someone as great as the Chofetz Chaim could view, in the words of Yaakov, self-criticism rather than the apparent self-praise that is presented in the phrase, “I did not learn from his evil ways.” The Chofetz Chaim’s novel approach to understanding this comment of Rashi is actually hinted to in a verse from Psalms (119:98) where King David declares, “Each of Your commandments makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.” Most of the commentators (see for example Metzudot David and Malbim) explain that King David was thanking Hashem for the mitzvoth which gave him “an edge” over his enemies. If the mitzvoth are studied and observed properly, they offer one valuable advice and practical strategies to better one’s enemies, be they enemies of the body or of the soul. The grammar of the verse, however, allows a different interpretation: not that David became wiser than his enemies because of the mitzvoth but that he learned from his enemies how to fulfil mitzvoth more wisely (see Radak who also understands the phrase as “from my enemies”, although he has a slightly different interpretation). David observed the extent to which his enemies plotted, planned and executed their wicked actions and he learned from them how to improve his mitzvah observance.

“There is much to be learned regarding how we serve Hashem by observing the work of our enemies, particularly the enemy from within; the evil inclination. There is no greater thief than that inner thief. He robs us of our time, our peace of mind, our goals, and our closeness to Hashem. When we consider the consistency with which he works, the energy he expends to make us sin, and the creativity he uses, we should be inspired to harness our own energy, consistency, and creativity to better serve our Maker.” (Kedushas Levi, Haggadah shel Pesach cited by Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffman http://www.torah.org/learning/olas-shabbos/5766/mishpatim.html#)

Rabbi Meshulam Zusya of Anipoli (cited in Hayom Yom page 107) used to say he learned seven things from a thief: 1) He works quietly and stealthily without others knowing. 2) He is ready to place himself in danger to attain his goals. 3) He pays great attention to even the smallest detail. 4) He puts all his energy into his work.  5) Alertness. 6) He is confident and optimistic. 7) If he does not succeed at first, he keeps trying and never gives up.

There is much you can learn from your friends and mentors. There is even more you can learn from your enemies!

Lee, Chani Merryl & Naomi join me in wishing you Shabbat Shalom.  Rabbi Liebenberg

My family and I are away from 2 to 17 December.  We wish you all a healthy and enjoyable December break.

Rabbi’s YouTube message for Shabbat: https://youtu.be/p8Z6YyiC9Eg