Inspirational Leadership

 Vayetze

Gen. 28:10-33:3

 

Précis: As Jacob travels towards the household of his uncle Laban, he dreams of a ladder (some translate it as a ramp) to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. He vows to build a great House for God on the spot. Jacob meets and falls in love with Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel. Laban agrees to the match, provided that Jacob works for him for seven years. Laban switches the older daughter, Leah, for Rachel; Jacob works an additional seven years for Rachel’s hand. Jacob then works for Laban another six years, and acquires great wealth and flocks through shrewd husbandry. During the stay with Laban, most of the children of Jacob are born. At the conclusion of the parasha, after tense negotiations with Laban, Jacob leaves with his possessions and family.

 

Gen. 28:16 “And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”’

            Rabbi Sacks (z’l) posed an important question, as cited by Rabbi Karyn Kedar (10 Minutes of Torah, 11/8/21): What made Jacob, and not Abraham or Isaac, the true father of Israel? After all, we are commonly called the “Children of Israel” or at times the “Congregation of Jacob.” Rabbi Kedar suggests that Jacob is the one who struggles the most, who dreams the most, who wrestles with the unknown. Our tradition sees Jacob as a visionary, as in the cited verse. Indeed, some commentators suggest that he actually was dreaming of Sinai, since the numerical equivalent in Hebrew for “ladder” (130) is the same as it is for Sinai. Jacob is a visionary prophet, one whose imperfections actually inspire us, because we share them, and when he overcomes them, it gives us the hope that we, too, can overcome our imperfections. Jacob is what modern management theory calls an “inspirational leader.”  

            We seek inspirational leadership to give us dreams and purpose, to provide energy and enthusiasm. And yet. Inspirational leadership such as Jacob’s can become perverted into a blind obedience to representatives of the darkest forces.

            Jacob’s name was changed to Israel because he struggled with both divine beings and with humans as well. He prevailed. May we prevail against the rising dark forces in our nation and in our world.

Giving Thanks

Toldot

Gen. 25:19-28:9

 

Précis: The introductory phrase to this parasha is “These are the generations (“toldot”) of Isaac.” What follows is the birth of the twins, Esau and Jacob. Their childhood is omitted from the narrative. We learn that Jacob is a quiet man while Esau is a cunning hunter, that their mother Rebecca prefers Jacob, and that Isaac prefers Esau. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of porridge (or lentils). A famine takes place, and Isaac visits the Philistines where he claims that his wife Rebecca is actually his sister (as Abraham did with Sarah in Lech Lecha) and again, the woman escapes unharmed. The story turns to the “great deception” where Jacob pretends to be Esau in order to obtain the primary blessing from his father Isaac. Esau hates Jacob and threatens him; Rebecca urges Jacob to escape to her family in Haran, and he sets off at the conclusion of the parasha.

 

Gen. 26:30 “And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.”

            This year, we read this parasha on Thanksgiving weekend. Those who do not look closely at the text may miss this story. After conflict between Isaac and the Philistines, a reconciliation between the parties is achieved. Isaac hosts a special dinner to celebrate the resolution of the dispute.

This is, indeed, an appropriate link between the text and the legend of the Pilgrims' and Indians' first Thanksgiving.

            As I have previously mentioned, hospitality to guests has wide application in our tradition, whether simply to greet strangers, or resolving problems, or comforting mourners. This year, many of us will have a special reason for giving thanks, spending the day with relatives we have not seen since before the pandemic. Happy Thanksgiving and Shabbat Shalom.