A Special Ayin Tova Type of Person Can Insist on Seeing Good Even in The Worst People
- Vayeitzei
- 5785
- English
When Yaakov came to Aram, he saw Rochel bas Lavan, ‘the brother of his mother’, and the sheep of Lavan ‘the brother of his mother’. Rivka is mentioned again and again. Rivka was the one who first suggested that he go to Lavan. And it was: וְרִבְקָה אֹהֶבֶת אֶת אֶת יַעֲקֹב Rivka who loved Yaakov. Perhaps she already knew that he would end up with Lavan, and she was experienced in dealing with the Yetzer Hara called Lavan. Look how Rivka sends him to such a Rasha, whom she was happy to leave. When Eliezer asked her, she said that she would leave, even without her family’s consent.
Yet, despite her knowledge of the evil of Lavan, she still told Yaakov to go there! Rivka also knew the wickedness of Eisav, and this is why she insisted the Yaakov steal the Brachos. Yet, she thought: עַד אֲשֶשֶׁר תָּשׁוּב טַמַת אָחִיךָ that Eisav would cool off of his Sin’ah; which still hasn’t happened! And she said: לָמָה אֶשְׁכַּל גַּם שְׁנֵיכֶם יוֹם אֶחָד Why should I lose both of you in one day! Look how she could love and hate the same person! This is similar to Dovid, who trusted Shaul even after Shaul tried to kill him 3 times.
When A Person Has Ayin Tova and Sees Good in People, Hashem Uplifts Him
Chazal say that if a person has Ayin Tova and sees good in people, Hashem uplifts him. It takes a special Ayin Tova type of person to insist on seeing good even in the worst people! Eliezer picked her, because he felt she would fit into Avraham Avinu’s house. Avraham Avinu was known for Ayin Tova (עַיִן טוֹבָה מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ). The Chesed these people did, wasn’t just a dry action. It was proceeded by having a high opinion of humans. Avraham Avinu stood up for Sedom! And he became: נְשִׁיא אֱלֹקִים אַתָּה בְּתוֹכֵנוּ a prince, and Rivka was Zoche to his family. These people were like Hashem, who said: מַעֲשֵׁה יָדַי טוֹבְעִין בַּיָּם וְאַתֶּם אֹאמְרִים שִׁירָה My handiworks (the Mitzri’im) are drowning in the ocean, and you are singing Shira?