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Posted on June 7, 2002 (5761) By Rabbi Dovid Green | Series: | Level:

“If you never lie you never have to remember anything” – Mark Twain

“Truth is a heavy burden, therefore it’s bearers are so few” – Mishlei

In this week’s parsha we learn of the beginnings of the nation of Israel. The Talmud tells us “All beginnings are difficult”. This rings true as we read of the life Yaakov avinu lead in the home of his uncle Lavan to whom he fled at the behest of his mother to protect him from his murderous brother. One of the biggest tests for Yaakov who personified truth was to live in the house of Lavan who personified trickery and deceit. Lavan was constantly changing the stipulations he had set down that would decide which portions of the flocks Yaakov tended would belong to Yaakov. Lavan lied and put in much calculated effort into doing so. The consummate example of the worst of his trickery is shown when Lavan sent the veiled Leah under the chuppah instead of Rochel for who’s hand in marriage Yaakov had worked for seven years.

The Talmud (Makos 24a) tells us of the truthfulness of Rav Safra. Rav Safra owned a store. Once while he was saying “kriyas shema” a man entered the store and, not noticing that Rav Safra was davening, offered a price to purchase a certain item. Naturally Rav Safra didn’t reply. Taking the silence to mean that the offer was too low, the man upped his offer not once but twice. After his prayer was done Rav Safra turned and told the surprised man that the original offer would be accepted. Though he could have easily made more money in the transaction, he answered honestly that he had in mind to accept the first offer but he hadn’t replied because he had been praying.

If one is honest, one accepts reality as it is. That is the truth of existence. If one does not accept reality and lives in denial, one can easily become impatient for if the situation isn’t as it should be then one wants it to change, and fast. Yaakov showed the ultimate patience with his uncle. He worked another seven years to earn the right to have married Rochel as well. Patience has its’ rewards. In Vayeitzei eleven of the twelve of the tribes of Israel are born. They are Reuven, Shimon, Levi, Yehudah, Yissachar, Zevulan, Dan, Naftali, Gad, Asher and Yosef. The birth of Binyamin is mentioned in Parshas Vayishlach. The staying power accomplished through the dedication to serving the Creator shown by the tribes and their progeny were built on the beginning efforts of their father Yaakov. What so we learn from this? Truth brings patience and then it brings *nachas.

*Enjoyment – Used most commonly to refer to the pleasure parents have from their children and also when the Creator has nachas from the creation.

Good Shabbos!

This weeks Dvartorah should be a merit for a complete recovery for Reuvane Elya ben Pesha.


Text Copyright &copy 2000 Rabbi Dovid Green and Project Genesis, Inc.