{"id":11787,"date":"2020-11-23T15:46:14","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T15:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=11787"},"modified":"2020-11-23T15:46:30","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T15:46:30","slug":"where-is-my-fair-share-parashat-vayetze-bits-of-torah-truths-digging-deeper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/where-is-my-fair-share-parashat-vayetze-bits-of-torah-truths-digging-deeper\/","title":{"rendered":"Where is My Fair Share?\u00a0\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05e6\u05d0, Parashat Vayetze, Bits of Torah Truths – Digging Deeper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this week\u2019s Torah portion, we read about the struggles of life in the lives of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Here we find Rachel is quite frustrated according to Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1-2<\/a> which states the following, \u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05b6\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4-\u05dc\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05df \u05de\u05b5\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8-\u05d0\u05b7\u05e3 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b2\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05de\u05b8\u05e0\u05b7\u05e2 \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d1\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05df: 30:1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, \u2018Give me children, or else I die.\u2019 30:2 Then Jacob\u2019s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, \u2018Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?\u2019(NASB)<\/span><\/em> Based upon Rachel\u2019s words here to Jacob, she appears to be quite frustrated, impatient, and worried, wondering why she is getting a raw deal. She complains to Jacob as if he is the one in control. She may have prayed through her desperation, we don\u2019t know for certain because the text does not state one way or another at this point. She may have wondered if her lack of bearing children was her fault, obviously, she thought Jacob may have been the problem. Based upon Jacob was able to have children with Leah, the problem obviously lay with Rachel and not Jacob. The Chazal (\u05d7\u05d6\u05f4\u05dc\u200e) comment on this situation in the following way according to Chizkuni commentary on Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1, Part 1<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chizkuni, Genesis 30:1 Part 1
<\/strong>\u05d5\u05ea\u05e7\u05e0\u05d0 \u05e8\u05d7\u05dc \u05d1\u05d0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea\u05d4, \u201cRachel became jealous of her sister;\u201d she had not become jealous until after Leah had given birth to her fourth son. The reason was that by doing so she had received more than her \u201cfair\u201d share of the 12 sons Yaakov was supposed to sire.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:2<\/a>, Jacob obviously got agitated over her comment. The reason being, she uttered a curse by declaring she would die if she could not bear children. (Or HaChaim on Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:2 Part 1<\/em>) Some people may think saying these words are not or do not result in a curse on one\u2019s own life. It is interesting as we read further in the Torah, we learn how Rachel died during child birth according to Bereshit \/ Genesis 35:16-18<\/a>. Now interestingly, this appears to be an early death which the Chazal attribute to Jacob uttering a curse on the person who stole Laban\u2019s Teraphim. (see Midrash Rabban Parashat 74, Part 9<\/em> and Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:31-32<\/a>) This is a significant observation in the text and should not be discounted. We need to be careful what we say! Now based upon Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1-2<\/a> Rachel had complained she did not have children, and it appears as if she did not ask her husband to pray for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob\u2019s response was \u05d4\u05b2\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u201cam I in the place of God?\u201d<\/span><\/em> The truth of the matter is that throughout the Scriptures we see the Lord God using times of waiting as ways to work His purpose in and through us. Looking at the histories recorded in the Scriptures, we see people waiting a lot more often than anything else. The greatest work that God had done for a person, Sarah, looked a lot like God was doing a whole lot of nothing. We remember how Sarai longed for a child, as it is says in the Scriptures (Bereshit \/ Genesis 11:30<\/a>) \u201cSarai was barren; she had no child.\u201d<\/span><\/em> We also read in Parashat Vayera that she was promised she would have a child (Bereshit \/ Genesis 17:4<\/a>) but she had to wait even another year. It wasn\u2019t until she was 90 years old that \u201c\u2026the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Bereshit \/ Genesis 21:1<\/a>). Another person is Noah who according to Bereshit \/ Genesis 6<\/a> was commanded to build an ark because there would be a global flood. How long did it take Noah to build the ark? First, we see Noah began to have sons in his 500th year of life (Bereshit \/ Genesis 5:32<\/a>). Next, Noah\u2019s sons were already alive when the Lord appeared to Noah and gave him instructions to begin building the ark (Bereshit \/ Genesis 6:18<\/a>). Finally, we are told the flood came in the 600th year of Noah\u2019s life (Bereshit \/ Genesis 7:11<\/a>). Therefore, Noah must have spent a maximum of 100 years (and probably slightly less) building the Ark. We note how Noah may have at times become frustrated while obeying this command to build the huge ark when the floods delayed to come. We may also consider Mary, the mother of Yeshua, as she waited on finding out how special her baby would be as she waited on him to grow up to become the Savior of the world. Take Moshe as another example, would spend much of his life, 80 years, before he led the Israelites out of Egypt. All of these histories have a common thread, that the Lord God is not doing nothing! Moshe had moved to Midian, he married, and he had two children, and he tended the sheep, and he must have thought he would live out the remainder of his days without much happening. The Lord God was training him however to lead a nation through the wilderness by faith. Noah was telling people again and again how the flood is coming, they did not believe him, yet God was working in their lives, and the Lord gave those around Noah a chance to repent, turn from their sins, and trust in the one true God. It is in times like this, as we see in the life of Rachel, that we may wonder if it is our fault, of we trusted more, or prayed more, or did something different, then God would work. This is not necessarily the case, as in most all of the narratives in the Scriptures we find patience is an important part of our faith as we wait and trust in God to work out His Plan.<\/p>\n

The Scriptures we are looking at for this week are from Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1-13<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc
<\/strong>\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05b6\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4-\u05dc\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05df \u05de\u05b5\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8-\u05d0\u05b7\u05e3 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b2\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05de\u05b8\u05e0\u05b7\u05e2 \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d1\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05df: \u05d2 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05de\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d2\u05b7\u05dd-\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1: \u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05df: \u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05b7\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05df: \u05d6 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1: \u05d7 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd | \u05e0\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd-\u05d9\u05b8\u05db\u05b9\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d8 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05b6\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05ea \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d6\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d6\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05df: \u05d9\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d2\u05b8\u05d3 [\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d2\u05b8\u05d3] \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3: \u05d9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d6\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1: \u05d9\u05d2 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05e8:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1-13
<\/strong>30:1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, \u2018Give me children, or else I die.\u2019 30:2 Then Jacob\u2019s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, \u2018Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?\u2019 30:3 She said, \u2018Here is my maid Bilhah, go in to her that she may bear on my knees, that through her I too may have children.\u2019 30:4 So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. 30:5 Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. 30:6 Then Rachel said, \u2018God has vindicated me, and has indeed heard my voice and has given me a son.\u2019 Therefore she named him Dan. 30:7 Rachel\u2019s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 30:8 So Rachel said, \u2018With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have indeed prevailed.\u2019 And she named him Naphtali. 30:9 When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took her maid Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 30:10 Leah\u2019s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 30:11 Then Leah said, \u2018How fortunate!\u2019 So she named him Gad. 30:12 Leah\u2019s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 30:13 Then Leah said, \u2018Happy am I! For women will call me happy.\u2019 So she named him Asher. (NASB)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

There are many examples of the Lord God using times of waiting to grow our faith and to teach us to trust in Him. This was why the Lord God had given the Children of Israel Manna in the wilderness, so they would trust in the Lord for their provision. As we know the Lord God is not \u201cnever doing anything,\u201d<\/span><\/em> and there may be something here in Rachel\u2019s life the Lord is working out? We read the following according to the commentary Tur HaAroch on Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1 Part 1<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tur HaAroch on Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1 Part 1
<\/strong>\u05d4\u05d1\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9\u05dd, \u201cget me children!\u201d Rachel demanded that Yaakov pray on her behalf, failing which she would die She considered any woman who had no children as \u201cdead.\u201d Nachmanides expresses his amazement at such an interpretation as he cannot understand why this was something that would infuriate Yaakov, as the Torah reports in the next verse when he upbraids her by asking if he was in place of the G\u2019d Who had denied her children. One even prays on behalf of people to whom one is not married, so why should he feel offended by her demand that he pray on behalf of his wife? As to the comment by the Midrash that Yaakov rejected the comparison with Yitzchok praying for Rivkah to have children as inappropriate, seeing that Yitzchok at the time did not have children, whereas he, Yaakov did have already four children, surely that is not a reason why he should not pray on behalf of his favorite wife!? According to the plain meaning of the text, Rachel demanded children from her husband. She threatened that if he refused to pray on her behalf she would kill herself. She would not lay a hand on herself, but she explained that she would simply die from frustration and shame, and would blame her death on her husband. Yaakov\u2019s anger was aroused because she so misunderstood the power of prayer that she felt that the prayer of a \u05e6\u05d3\u05d9\u05e7 automatically commits G\u2019d to fulfill it. Yaakov thought that Rachel used the threat of her death as a ploy, something not unknown when women are denied having their way. At any rate, after telling Rachel that the matter was not really in his hands, seeing that G\u2019d had granted him children but not from her, she decided to pray on her own behalf. This is what the Torah means in verse 22 that G\u2019d \u201clistened to her,\u201d as a result of which she bore Joseph.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Here Tur HaAroch reports on the interpretation of the Chazal, that Rachel asked her husband Jacob to pray for her, and Nachmanides states that it seems unusual that Jacob would become angry because of this. The text states that Rachel demanded children from her husband. Her basic claim was that she would not commit suicide or anything like that, but that she would simply die from frustration and shame and would blame her death on Jacob. The rabbis interpret that Rachel did not understand the power of prayer, the prayer of a Tzadik (\u05e6\u05d3\u05d9\u05e7). As we read further in the text, ultimately, Rachel prayed for herself to the God of Abraham, and the Lord heard her prayer according to Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:22<\/a>, \u05db\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc: 30:22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb. (NASB)<\/span><\/em> Based on this text, Rachel took it upon herself to pray and seek the Lord for a child and it says that the Lord listened to her (\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8). Again, God uses times of waiting to grow our faith, to teach us to trust Him, and to give us opportunities we might never have dreamed. We should not worry that God is not doing anything or that He has not heard our prayer. If we find ourselves in this situation like Rachel has found herself, this should remind us to ask ourselves \u201cWhy is God bringing me this situation?\u201d<\/span><\/em> and \u201cWhat is He trying to teach me?\u201d<\/span><\/em> and \u201cAm I really leaving my entire situation in His hands and allowing for His timing?\u201d<\/span><\/em> David wrote the following according to Tehillim \/ Psalms 37:4<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05ea\u05d4\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05d6<\/strong>
\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3 | \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05e9\u05b5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8 \u05de\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e7 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df: \u05d2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d8\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b5\u05b9\u05d4-\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05df-\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b7\u05d2 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d4 \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4: \u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05db\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b3\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: \u05d6 \u05d3\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b5\u05dc \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e2\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d6\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea: \u05d7 \u05d4\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e3 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b7\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d6\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d7\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05da\u05b0-\u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7: \u05d8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b4\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05ea\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc-\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Tehillim \/ Psalms 37:1-9
<\/strong>37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. 37:2 For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 37:6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. 37:7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 37:8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 37:9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. (NASB)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What are the ways of the wicked? They are free of care, they live their lives in disobedience, immoral, and filled with hate, and yet they go on amassing wealth. David states do not be envious of wrongdoers. (37:1<\/a>) we are to keep our hearts pure and have washed and innocent hands. David says 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.<\/span><\/em> (NASB, \u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b7\u05d2 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d4 \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4:) Now Rachel did not have this perspective at first due to her frustration. She thought that without children she is as a dead woman. The Chazal in the Talmud write an interpretation concerning her comments of dying in the following way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talmud Bavli Avodah Zarah 5a:19
<\/strong>\u05e1\u05d5\u05de\u05d0 \u05d3\u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 (\u05d0\u05d9\u05db\u05d4 \u05d2, \u05d5) \u05d1\u05de\u05d7\u05e9\u05db\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05d5\u05e9\u05d9\u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05db\u05de\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05de\u05e6\u05d5\u05e8\u05e2 \u05d3\u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 (\u05d1\u05de\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d1, \u05d9\u05d1) \u05d0\u05dc \u05e0\u05d0 \u05ea\u05d4\u05d9 \u05db\u05de\u05ea \u05d5\u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05d5 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9\u05dd \u05d3\u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 (\u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc, \u05d0) \u05d4\u05d1\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05d0\u05dd \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05ea\u05d4 \u05d0\u05e0\u05db\u05d9<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A blind person is considered as though he were dead, as it is written: \u201cHe has made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead\u201d (Lamentations 3:6). A leper is considered as though he were dead, as it is written that Aaron said to Moses when Miriam was struck with leprosy: \u201cLet her not, I pray, be as one dead\u201d (Numbers 12:12). And one who has no children is considered as though he were dead, as it is written that Rachel said to Jacob: \u201cGive me children, or else I am dead\u201d (Genesis 30:1).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The rabbis categorically summarize the state of the dead, saying the blind who dwell in dark places is as one who has been long dead. The leper whose flesh is diseased and rotting, is as one who was dead. And then Rachel, she considered herself as being dead not being able to give birth. Today, regardless of where we find ourselves, we have one who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords who is the source of life and resurrection from the dead! We serve the Living God, and He is able to do anything! In addition, the Lord sent us His Son Yeshua, who is the giver of life for those who believe in Him. Jacob was correct when he said to Rachel, \u05d4\u05b2\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u201cam I in the place of God?\u201d<\/span><\/em> Jacob was redirecting Rachel to direct her request to the God of Abraham, that she should not blame him or look to him for blessing. The rabbis say the Kabbalistic approach is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter \u05d4 in the word \u05d4\u05ea\u05d7\u05ea need not be understood as introducing a question, but that the whole word is definitive. It is similar to Samuel I 2,27 \u05d4\u05e0\u05d2\u05dc\u05d4 \u05e0\u05d2\u05dc\u05d9\u05ea\u05d9, \u201cI have indeed revealed Myself, etc.\u201d Yaakov indicated to Rachel that his likeness (\u05d0\u05e0\u05db\u05d9) was indeed engraved under the throne of G\u2019d and it was this which enabled him to know that G\u2019d Himself had prevented her from having a child. Upon hearing this Rachel overcame her natural reluctance and gave her maid-servant to Yaakov to sleep with in order to benefit from Bilhah\u2019s potential to bear children. In the end she herself addressed G\u2019d in prayer as we know from 30,22: \u201cG\u2019d remembered Rachel and G\u2019d listened to her.\u201d (Rabbeinu Bahya in Bereshit 30:2 Part 1-2)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that though Jacob was given a position of high standing before God, he did not use that as a moment of pride, but directed Rachel to pray to the Lord and not to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The things we learn from this week\u2019s Torah portion is how we are to carefully consider our choices and the implications of our actions when we are frustrated and feel as if we have been given a raw deal. We may be tempted to act in a way that is not pleasing to the Lord, or harmful to others and even to ourselves, as Rachel said \u201cI will die.\u201d<\/span><\/em> Even if we feel justice has not been meted out, we must be careful to continue to walk in faith and not in our anger. No injustice is worth ruining our relationship with God, and it is not worth throwing away our relationship with other believers, or members of our family whether they are or are not believers. We have to consider the big picture, that the Lord is working something out in our lives for His Glory! It is interesting when we spend time with the Lord, we get into God\u2019s Word (the Scriptures, Bible), and focus on His character, mercy, love, grace, long suffering, and remain faithful to Yeshua the Messiah, it is only then that we are able to turn the bad that has happened for good and for the glory of the God in heaven. It is in these things that we affirm our faith, we bear the testimony, and we establish our relationship with God as living out His Will in our lives by the power of His Spirit that dwells within. God\u2019s presence in our lives is the source of our security, our joy, and our life. Remember how Rachel responded as we continue reading in Bereshit \/ Genesis 30<\/a>, we read that the Lord God heard her prayer (30:22<\/a>). This reminds us that even in her frustration, she remained faithful. There are a lot of good things that may happen to us in this life, but none have the power to be consistent day in and day out. We do not trust in things or circumstances as these may become idols in our lives which always let us down. The Lord God of Israel however is faithful, and trustworthy, and for this He is worthy to be praised!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BTT_Parashat-Vayetze-2020<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this week\u2019s Torah portion, we read about the struggles of life in the lives of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Here we find Rachel is quite frustrated according to Bereshit \/ Genesis 30:1-2 which states the following, \u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05b6\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4-\u05dc\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05df \u05de\u05b5\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d1 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11790,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-11787","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bits-of-torah-truth","8":"category-weekly-parashah"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11787\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}