Yaakov’s sheep
According to the above, it is understood the three abovementioned points regarding Yaakov’s sheep:
- Yaakov’s success came as a direct result of his “sheep,” his complete submission to the Almighty. Only through this nullification did he acquire his other “possessions” and the strength of his personal identity.
- Though Yaakov primarily served G-d through self-nullification, it was imperative that he include the service of “maidservants, manservants, camels and donkeys.” He needed to also employ his personal strengths to accomplish his spiritual mission. Yet, even after accumulating other forms of wealth, Yaakov always kept his sheep, and in fact they remained the main component of his wealth. Meaning to say, that even when a person is involved with fighting the darkness of the world with the necessary strength and force, his total subservience to G-d must always remain primary.
- When Yaakov told Esav about the property that he had acquired, he did not mention his sheep—i.e. his humility—as his first possession, even though this was his primary possession. Yaakov wanted to instill fear in Esav, and therefore first mentioned all the great things that he had accomplished. He first spoke of his strength, not his humility. This is what Yaakov must portray to others. Concerning himself however, his main asset was the sheep, his subservience to the Almighty.
The lesson
In our generation specifically, we must all conduct ourselves in the manner of “vayeitzei” - going out, as did our forefather Yaakov. We need to go out of our comforts into the world and illuminate it with G-dliness. First, however, we must prepare by sitting in the tent of Shem and Ever, in the study of Torah. Only then does a person have the ability to conquer the world. This preparation must lead to the eventual efforts of bringing the light to the outside world.
The effort of “vayeitzei” is the primary action that must be done in our times, in the moments before the coming of Moshiach. We must work on transforming the darkness of the world into a beacon of light. Our mandate to go out into the world and bring G-dliness to places that are dark is especially necessary nowadays, when affecting another Jew who is in darkness is literally saving his very Judaism!
One must keep in mind constantly, however, that his success is ensured when he is nullified to G-d, dedicated to fulfilling His mission. When a person approaches this effort with absolute submission to the Almighty, a person is not limited by his individual nature or specific interests, but is able to transcend his very being. Through accomplishing this holy work in any place in which he finds himself, and through investing all of his energies into the efforts of affecting multitudes of Jewish souls, he will see success.
This will prepare the entire Jewish people for the imminent redemption, during which no Jew will be left behind...!
(Based on Likkutei Sichot 15, Vayeitzei 4, reworked by Rabbi Dovid Markel. To see other projects and to partner in our work, see: www.Neirot.com.)
