My Help Comes from Hashem
Rabi Shmuel bar Nachman opened his speech on the parshah of “Vayeitzei Yaakov” with the words of Tehillim, “I shall lift my eyes up to the mountains.” He explained that these words refer to Yaakov Avinu upon leaving Charan in search of a wife, since this perek refers to Hashem as the “Protector of Yisrael,” and Yisrael is Yaakov.
Yaakov Avinu said, “I shall lift my eyes up to the harim – mountains,” which can also be read as horim – parents. This can be understood as, “I lift my eyes up and think of my parents. What did they do when they were in search of a mate?”...
Yaakov Avinu wondered, “From where will my help come?” Ezri – my help – refers to a wife, who is called one’s ezer, or helpmate. He wondered from where he would have the money to help him find his zivug. He recalled how Eliezer took ten camels loaded with all the goods of his master when he set out in search of a wife for Yitzchak. Yaakov, on the other hand, did not bring even one piece of jewelry with him.
Why indeed did Yaakov not take any money along with him? Rabi Chanina explains that Yaakov was sent off penniless so that Eisav would not chase after him to get his money. Rabi Yehoshua ben Levi says that in fact he was sent off with money, but Eisav came and stole it from him.
Afterward, Yaakov repeated: Will I now despair and lose all faith in my Creator? Heaven forbid, I will not despair, nor will I lose faith in my Creator! Rather, “My help comes from Hashem.”... “Behold, the Protector of Yisrael does not sleep or slumber.”
“Hashem shall safeguard you from all evil” – from Eisav and Lavan. “He shall safeguard your soul” – from the angel of death.
“Hashem shall safeguard your goings and comings” – as it says, Vayeitzei Yaakov – he left in peace and with faith, without any fear.
(Bereishis Rabbah 68:2)
