IN THE PARSHA:
We find that לבן’s wealth grew during the time that יעקב spent in חרן. In fact, לבן himself acknowledged that he was blessed because of יעקב. One opinion in the זהר states that every month לבן gained 100 of each type of his livestock (sheep, goats, etc.), while רבי אבא says that he gained 1,000 of each.
QUESTION:
Why does the presence of a צדיק bring blessing to their surroundings?
ANSWER:
Hashem created the entire word in order that we, Yidden, should learn and keep His תורה. Anyone or anything that helps a Yid serve Hashem is fulfilling the purpose for which they were created. Wherever a צדיק lives he utilizes all the resources in his environment to serve Hashem. Since his environment helps him serve Hashem, everything around him fulfills the purpose for which they were created, and they are therefore blessed.
LIFE LESSON:
During the time of גלות, Hashem sometimes helps us through favors that we receive from other nations. We need to remember that we are not ח"ו dependent on the other nations. In fact, it is to their benefit and their advantage to helps us, since by doing so they come to fulfill the purpose for which they were created.
Further discussion:
Why does one opinion in the זהר say that לבן was blessed in the amount of hundreds, while רבי אבא says that יעקב brought him blessing in the amount of thousands? (See אותיות ד, ה, ו, י in the Sicha)
