Vayeitzei
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Reaching Upward
"And [Yaakov] dreamed, and behold there was a ladder, secured to the
ground, with its head reaching to Heaven, and behold, the angels of the
L-rd ascending and descending upon it." [28:12]
There are any number of beautiful explanations of this verse found in the
Medrash and later writings. One such perush asks that we look at the
ladder as a parable, applicable to a human being. Though we are "rooted to
the ground," going about our daily lives and dealing with the physical
world, each of us is nonetheless given the opportunity to have a "head
reaching to Heaven."
What does it mean to have a "head reaching to Heaven?" This refers to a
person who goes through life doing his or her actions for the sake of
Heaven. If we analyze our behavior, and work every moment to increase our
spirituality, learning, and good deeds -- as well as those of others --
then this is a "Heavenly" life. Every minute of the day offers us this
opportunity to be "rooted to the ground" with "a head reaching to Heaven."
Not only do we affect ourselves, but "the angels of the L-rd ascend and
descend upon it" -- the whole world, physical and even spiritual, depends
on the actions of human beings. The Kabbalists say that each time a person
does a Mitzvah, s/he creates a "good angel" -- and, Heaven forbid, the
opposite is also true. If we live spiritual lives, then we bring light to
the entire world, and even the angels are uplifted.
We see a demonstration of this later, when Moshe ascends Mt. Sinai to
receive the Torah. When the nation of Israel turns away from their leader,
and appoints a Golden Calf to replace Moshe -- with some even worshipping
it as an idol -- "G-d said to Moshe, 'Go, descend, for your nation has
defiled itself, that which you brought up from the land of Egypt." [Shemos
32:7] When Israel defiles itself, it -- and the world -- no longer can
sustain a leader who is up in Heaven, speaking directly with G-d.
The Torah tells us again and again: each of us has the opportunity to
affect ourselves for the better, and simultaneously to have an impact on
others as well. It begins with us, as individuals. "Tikkun Olam,"
perfection of the world, can only come about by beginning with "Tikkun
Atzmo," perfection of one's self. Every generation hopes that it will be
the one to finally perfect the world; the Torah tells us where to start.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Yaakov Menken
This week's class is dedicated to the speedy healing of
Azriel Yitzchak ben Chaya Gitel.
Text Copyright © 2003 Torah.org.
The author is the Director of Project Genesis - Torah.org.
