Shabbat Shalom. I want to discuss this week the importance of our words and sticking to them. We have all had those times where we have broken our promises, or lied, whether it was with good intention or not, but this phenomena has always existed. Even in the time of Ya’akov, Lavan was the master of trickery and used his words to make him seem “white” and innocent.
One morning, in Parshat Vayeitzeh, Ya’akov wakes up to find his new wife “Rachel” to in fact be Leah, lying down next to him. He goes to Lavan demanding an explanation. Lavan simply tells Ya’akov that the older daughter must get married before the younger. We see a twisting of words from Lavan in order to get Ya’akov to work even longer so that he may mary Rachel.
There is another event that is juxtaposed to a commandment that creates a peculiarity, but it is through the placement of the events that we learn the importance of our words. Sadly, this week in Vayishlach, Dina is kidnapped etc.. Her brother’s Shimon and Levi go in and take care of business. After Shechem is destroyed Ya’akov rebukes his son. Strangely right after G-d comes to Ya’akov and tells him to get up and move to Beit E-l. Why is Hashem telling him to go there? Shouldn’t there be a discussion of the recent events?
The truth is the command to go back to Beit E-l was the discussion. If we look back at Parshat Vayetzei, we see that Ya’akov had made a promise to Hashem. He promised that if Hashem protects him he will go back to the spot and dedicate it to Hashem. Since that day, Yaakov had still not gone back. Hashem fulfilled his end of the deal, but Yaakov had still to do his part. This event was a reminder to Yaakov that he does not belong there, but really in Beit E-l. At that point Yaakov moved back and fulfilled his word.
It is an important lesson for us to learn, especially in our times. Words have lost such meaning, but do not forget who we are, the language we speak, and the promises we make. I hope we can all fulfill our words and the words of Hashem so that together we can bring more kedusha into another aspect of our life.
Shabbat Shalom!