The Parsha begins with Yakov Avinu traveling from Beer Sheva to Charan. On his way he passes through the Makom Hamikdash and finds out that he is at the gates of heaven. Rashi explains that in heaven there is also a Bais Hamikdash that parallels the one below. Chazal tell us that Yakov Avinu instituted the prayer of Maariv. And that is the reason why the Passuk describes the timing of Yakov Avinu sleeping – it was when the sun set.
The Bobover Rebbe z”l, in his beautiful Sefer on Chumash expands the words of Chazal. He explains that Yakov represents the Jew in the darkness of Galus trying to survive and stay connected.
I would like to suggest an idea which is based on the Baal Shem and I also saw the idea written by the brother of the Maharal of Prague. The idea connects us also to Rav Chaim Shmulevitz’s incredible shmuzen that he gave during the Yom Kippur war. Reb Chaim is discussing the nature of a person when it comes to Prayer especially when in a situation of pain. He gives an interesting example. Chazal tell us that Rachel Imeinu was buried on the path where the Jewish people during the destruction of the first Bais Hamikdash were going to use as they left Israel to go into exile. The obvious question is why can’t she also be buried in Chevron with all the other Avos and Imahos and pray on their behalf from there?
The answer, says Reb Chaim, is that the closer one is to see the actual pain of another, the more intense the prayer will be. I was thinking that many of us are far in distance from the actual war in Israel. However, based on the Baal Shem who says that you are when your heart is, and based on the profound insight of the brother of the Maharal of Prague that one can even be considered living in Israel if he really desires to. Then everyone of us as we pray can do the same.
I have suggested to many to take a 15-minute slot during the day that will be their time for saying Tehilim and standing on guard to protect the Jewish people especially in Israel in the battlefield and really for the Jewish people all over the world. And when doing so, envision yourself standing with the soldiers and the battlefield. Perhaps we can suggest that this idea is also included in the vision that Yakov our father was shown as he was traveling into the dark galus, that no matter where a person prays from if he connects his heart to Israel (which is actually brought down in the Poskim in Hilchos Tefillah) and the makom Hamikdash the prayers will ascend directly to the upper Bais Hamikdash and we will be accepted by Hashem to usher in the final Geulah.
by Rabbi Daniel Coren
