Parashat Vayetzei

Parasha Thoughts

By Rabbi David Cohen

And Yaakov went out from Beer Sheva. (28:10)

When Yaakov Avinu fled his father’s home, he was sixty-three years old. He was a wholesome, G-d-fearing Torah scholar whose entire life was devoted to studying Torah. Yet, prior to arriving in Lavan’s home, he learned another fourteen years of Torah study in the yeshivah of Shem and Eivar. Rashi writes that during those fourteen years our Patriarch was glued to the sefer. He did not lay down in bed to go to sleep the entire time he was there. Why? He was preparing himself for his entrance into the outside world. Imagine, if this was Yaakov Avinu’s attitude, what ours should be. One question needs to be addressed: If these fourteen years of Torah study were so critical, why are they not mentioned in the Torah? The Torah seems to gloss over this significant period of time.

Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, explains that the Torah is teaching us that, while it is of the greatest significance, Torah study must be a natural occurrence for a Jew. No pat on the back is received for doing exactly what is expected of us. Torah study is a Jew’s purpose. It defines us. Yaakov’s fourteen years of Torah study need not be mentioned. It was like breathing. The Torah does not mention breathing either. We must realize how important Torah study is to growth in every aspect of our lives.

Shabbat Shalom!

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