בס”ד
Parashat Vayishlach
This week’s reading starts with Yaakov sending a message to his brother Eisav about having lived the last years with Lavan in Charan. Our sages interpret the wording of the message in a special way and that itself gives us an important teaching about priorities in life. Based on Likutey Sichot, vol. 1, p. 68
This week’s reading, titled Vayishlach, meaning “And he sent,” begins with the story of Jacob sending emissaries to his brother Esau after 20 years. Esau had been very angry with Jacob for many reasons, and now, after all this time, they were about to meet again. In preparation, Jacob sends a message to Esau and also sends him a gift.
The message Jacob sends is significant. He says: “I lived with Laban, and now I am coming to you to find favor in your eyes.” At first glance, this message seems straightforward. However, a deeper look at the Hebrew words Jacob used raises a question.
Jacob uses the word garti (גַּרְתִּי) to describe his time with Laban. While garti translates to “I lived,” it is not the most common word that could have been used. Why did Jacob choose this specific term? The sages offer a few explanations.
- The Word’s Implication of Being a Foreigner:
The word garti shares a root with the word ger (גֵּר), meaning “foreigner” or “stranger.” Jacob was indicating that he did not assimilate or fully belong to Laban’s household or the society of Haran. He lived there as an outsider, someone who did not integrate into the culture of the place. - The Numeric Value of Garti:
Hebrew letters have numeric values, and when the letters of garti are added together, the total is 613, corresponding to the number of commandments in the Torah. Jacob was telling Esau that despite living with Laban—a man of poor morals, in a corrupt society—he remained faithful to G-d’s commandments. He resisted the influences of his surroundings and adhered to his spiritual obligations.
This raises a further question: Why would Jacob think this information matters to Esau? After all, Esau already knew Jacob had lived in Haran for 20 years. If Esau wanted to harm Jacob, he could have acted long before this meeting. So why emphasize his status as a foreigner and his adherence to commandments?
The deeper message lies in Jacob’s priorities. By declaring that he lived as a foreigner and stayed committed to his spiritual path, Jacob was communicating something fundamental about his worldview. Haran, as described by the sages, was a place of corruption, one that invoked G-d’s anger toward the world. Living there, Jacob could have easily been consumed by its materialism and immorality. Yet, he consciously chose to see himself as a traveler, someone passing through, and never allowed himself to feel at home in such a place. This mindset gave him the strength to remain devoted to his spiritual duties.
This principle is reflected in a story about the Maggid of Mezritch, a great leader and teacher. A wealthy man once visited the Maggid and was surprised by the simplicity of his home, which lacked fine furniture or decorations. The man offered to buy the Maggid better furnishings, but the Maggid replied with a parable:
“You are a businessman and often travel. When you travel, do you bring all your possessions and furniture with you?”
The man answered, “Of course not. I travel light and only take what’s necessary. My real belongings stay at home.”
The Maggid explained, “In this world, we are all travelers. This is not our ultimate destination. Our true home is above, in the spiritual realm. There, I have everything I need. Here, I live simply because I am just passing through.”
Jacob’s message to Esau echoes this sentiment. Jacob saw himself as a foreigner in Haran, never succumbing to its negative influences. This perspective allowed him to fulfill his spiritual obligations and maintain his integrity. By sharing this with Esau, Jacob was not just recounting his past; he was demonstrating the strength and clarity that enabled him to rise above his circumstances. He was now prepared to meet Esau and even help him grow as a person.
The lesson for us is clear: Knowing our true priorities—understanding that the material world is secondary to the spiritual—enables us to remain focused on our purpose. Like Jacob, we can navigate the challenges of life without losing sight of what truly matters.ce the harder aspects of divine service, for it is in those efforts that we fulfill our ultimate purpose.
Parshat Talk from Rabbi Tuvia Serber
The above is a representation of the spoken text converted to written text.
© Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further.
Our blogs may contain text/quotes/references/links that include copyright material of Mechon-Mamre.org, Aish.com, Sefaria.org, Chabad.org, and/or AskNoah.org, which we use in accordance with their policies.
