From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
In the Torah portion of Toldot our ancestor Isaac declares, "For now G-d has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land."
Commenting on the Hebrew word for "fruitful," "ufarinu," Rashi explains that it means "to increase," to spread out, and expand.
The above verse can be divided into two parts. The first half, "G-d has made room for us," refers to the strengths and abilities G-d bestows upon an individual. The second part, "we shall be fruitful in the land," refers to the obligation it implies to utilize those gifts by working to make the world a better place.
The Torah teaches, "Man is born to labor." G-d created the world in such a way that man has the potential to improve upon creation and add to it through his efforts. To the naked eye, G-dliness is hidden and concealed. However, when man acts according to G-d's will, the true underlying G-dliness of creation becomes revealed. Man becomes a "partner" with G-d in the act of creation, as it were, by uncovering the G-dly light that sustains all existence.
A question is asked: How can human beings improve on something G-d Himself created? Is man really "superior" to G-d in this respect? Of course not, as we see from the first half of the above verse, "For now G-d has made room for us." Everything ultimately originates from G-d. Were it not for the strengths and abilities He gives us, we could never accomplish anything. It is only through the merit of these Divinely-given powers that we are able to reveal G-dliness in the world and elevate creation to a higher level.
It also follows that once these powers have been granted, we are expected to make proper use of them. As we learn from the text of our holy Torah, "For now G-d has made room for us" is immediately followed by "and we shall be fruitful in the land," indicating the need for practical action.
This same concept is expressed by a verse in Psalms, "I am the L-rd your G-d, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." The first step is the G-dly influence that comes from Above, i.e., G-d taking the Jewish people out of Egypt. Only afterwards does man's service come into play, "open your mouth wide." By telling us to "open wide," G-d is exhorting us to "add" to what He has created, improving and enhancing the state of the world. We can then be assured that "I will fill it": not only will G-d grant us the power to act, but He will also assist us in our Divine service, thereby ensuring our success.
Reprinted from the 5762/2001Toldos edition of L’Chayim, a publication of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Brooklyn, NY Adapted from Volume 10 of Likutei Sichot.
“If So, Why Am I Thus?”
The children agitated within her, and she said, “If so, why am I thus?” And she went to inquire of Hashem, (25:22) The unset was that there was a struggle between Esov and Yaakov. Once there was a separation between them, the end was that Esov became an “Ish Sodeh – a man of the field”.
Being connected to Tzadikim helps a Yid to strengthen himself from the situation he is in. This connection helps him even after his passing, as the Saba Kadisha of Slonim ZY”A said:
“Everyone who is accustomed to sit at the Sheves Achim with the Chasidim Shabbos at night, so too, when he reaches the True World, if he will request that he be allowed to go every Shabbos to the Rebbe and Chasidim, it will be sure that he will be allowed to go. And then too, possibly that he will not be allowed to return to his place in Gehenom, and he will stay with them”. (Sefer Divrei Shmuel – Slonim- Cong. Tiferes Zvi – [email protected])
Reprinted from the Parashat Toldot 5785 email of R’ Yedidye Hirtenfeld’s whY I Matter
