Vayetze: Chapter 24

"And it came to pass, when Rachel had given birth to Joseph"

Synopsis

This is an enigmatic passage in which the rabbis comment on the symbolic and mystical importance of Jacob's leaving his father-in-law, Laban, and going into the Land of Israel, once Joseph has been born and Benyamin has been conceived. For these commentators, Leah symbolizes the upper world, or all that is mysterious in life.

Relevance

Jacob's ability to evolve spiritually was limited during his stay with Laban. His going into the Land of Israel is a metaphor for his readiness to ascend to the level of the Upper World. The lesson for the reader is this, our physical location is a mirror of where we are spiritually. This passage awakens us to the importance of constant forward motion, both physically and spiritually, in order to continue the evolution of our souls, which is the very purpose of our life. Moreover, the act of meditating upon these verses helps our soul ascend to higher levels.

Esau Fire Flame House Jacob Joseph Obadiah Rachel

238. Rabbi Elazar quoted the verse, "And it came to pass, when Rachel had given birth to Joseph" (Beresheet 30:25). HE ASKS, Why did Jacob ask to leave only after Joseph was born? Before Joseph was born, he did not ask to leave. HE ANSWERS, As it was explained, he saw that the adversary of Esau was born - JOSEPH WOULD BE THE ADVERSARY OF ESAU, AS IT IS WRITTEN, "AND THE HOUSE OF JACOB SHALL BE FIRE, AND THE HOUSE OF JOSEPH FLAME, AND THE HOUSE OF ESAU FOR STUBBLE" (OVADYAH 1:18).

238. וַאֲמַר רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, כְּתִיב וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה רָחֵל אֶת יוֹסֵף וגו,' מַה חָמָא יַעֲקֹב לְמֵיהַךְ לְאוֹרְחֵיהּ, כָּךְ אִתְיְלֵיד יוֹסֵף, וְעַד לָא אִתְיְלֵיד יוֹסֵף, לָא בָעָא לְמֵיהַךְ לְאוֹרְחֵיהּ, הָא אוֹקְמוּהָ, דְּחָמָא דְאִתְיְלֵיד שִׂטְנָא דְעֵשָׂו.

Benjamin Birth Body Brit (Covenant) Covenant (Brit) Jacob Joseph Righteous Twelve

239. Come and behold, Joseph perfected the place OF JACOB after him, BEING THE SFIRAH OF YESOD, THE LAST SFIRAH OF JACOB. Also, Joseph deserved to be called 'Righteous,' NAMELY, YESOD, THE LAST SFIRAH (where the the body ends). After Jacob saw that the body was perfected WITH THE BIRTH OF JOSEPH, the body asked to leave. The final part of the body is the member of the Covenant, NAMELY, JOSEPH. With all that, Benjamin completed the number, because with him the number twelve was reached.

239. וְתָא חֲזֵי, יוֹסֵף אַשְׁלֵים דּוּכְתֵּיהּ בַּתְרֵיהּ וְיוֹסֵף זָכֵי לֵיהּ, דְּאִקְרֵי צַדִּיק, וְהָכָא סִיּוּמָא דְגוּפָא. כֵּיוָן דְּחָמָא יַעֲקֹב, דְּאִשְׁתְּלֵים גּוּפָא, בָּעָא גּוּפָא לְמֵהַךְ לְאוֹרְחֵיהּ, וְסִיּוּמָא דְגוּפָא הוּא בְּרִית. וְעִם כָּל דָּא בִּנְיָמִן אַשְׁלֵים חוּשְׁבְּנָא, דְּבֵיהּ אִשְׁתְּלִימוּ תְּרֵיסַר.

Benjamin Holy Land Jacob Joseph Tribes

240. One may wonder if Jacob knew that until this time the number of the tribes was not yet complete, even though Joseph had been born. Why, then, did he not wait for Benjamin to be born and the tribes to reach completion? HE ANSWERS, Jacob acted wisely, and he did know THAT THE TRIBES WERE NOT YET COMPLETED. He said, Surely if the tribes are completed here, then perfection will be achieved here; yet I do not want them to be perfected in this country - only in the Holy Land.

240. וְאִי תֵימָא, וְכִי לָא הֲוָה יָדַע יַעֲקֹב, דְּעַד כְּעָן לָא אִשְׁתַּלִּימוּ שִׁבְטִין, אַף עַל גַּב דְּאִתְיְלֵיד יוֹסֵף, מַאי טַעְמָא לָא אוֹרִיךְ עַד דְּיִתְיְלֵיד בִּנְיָמִין, וְיִשְׁתַּלִּימוּ שִׁבְטִין. אֶלָּא, יַעֲקֹב בְּחָכְמְתָא עֲבַד, וּמִלָּה יָדַע, אֲמַר, וַדַּאי אִי אִשְׁתַּלִּימוּ הָכָא כֻּלְּהוּ שִׁבְטִין, הָא יְדַעְנָא, דְּתִקּוּנָא דִּלְעֵילָא שַׁרְיָא עֲלַיְיהוּ כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת, וּבְאַרְעָא דָא, לָא לִיבָּעֵי דְּיִשְׁתְּלִימוּ, אֶלָּא בְּאַרְעָא קַדִּישָׁא.

Benjamin Canaan Holy Land House Nukva Rachel Tribes Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel Zeir Anpin

241. Come and behold, the twelve tribes are the perfection of the lower world, THE NUKVA OF ZEIR ANPIN FROM THE CHEST DOWNWARD. After Benjamin was born, AND THE TWELVE TRIBES WERE COMPLETED, Rachel died, and the lower world, THE NUKVA OF ZEIR ANPIN, assumed its place and was perfected through them. Therefore, Benjamin was born only in the Holy Land. This is the meaning of the verse, "And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan on the way" (Beresheet 48:7). Rachel died there, and was replaced by the lower world, which received a house in which to dwell. As long as Rachel was alive, the lower world was not yet perfected BY THE TWELVE TRIBES. Rachel died, BECAME ONE WITH THE UPPER NUKVA, and received a completed house.

241. תָּא חֲזֵי, דְּהָכֵי הוּא, דְּכֻלְּהוּ תְּרֵיסַר שִׁבְטִין, תִּקּוּנָא דְעַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה נִינְהוּ, וְכֵיוָן דְּאִתְיְלֵיד בִּנְיָמִין, מִיתַת רָחֵל, וְנָטְלָא דוּכְתָּא הַאי עַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה, לְאִתְתַּקָּנָא בְּהוֹ. וְע"ד לָא אִתְיְלֵיד בִּנְיָמִין, אֶלָּא בְּאַרְעָא קַדִּישָׁא, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב, וַאֲנִי בְּבוֹאִי מִפַּדָּן מֵתָה עָלַי רָחֵל בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וְתַמָּן מִיתַת רָחֵל וְנָטְלָא דוּכְתָּא, הַאי עַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה, לְאִתְיַשְּׁבָא בְּבֵיתָא שְׁלֵימָתָא, וְכָל זִמְנָא דְרָחֵל קָיְימָא, עַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה לָא אִתְתַּקְּנָא בְּהוֹ, מִיתַת רָחֵל נָטְלָא, בֵּיתָא בִּשְׁלִימוּ.

Asiyah Briyah House Leah Nukva Rachel Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel Worlds Yetzirah

242. HE ASKS, You may wonder why Leah did not die at the same time, WHEN THE TWELVE TRIBES WERE COMPLETED. HE ANSWERS, This is because the house is in the lower world, IN THE NUKVA FROM THE CHEST DOWNWARD, CALLED 'RACHEL.' And it behooves all to be perfected by it, WHICH MEANS THAT THE PERFECTION OF ALL THE LOWER BEINGS, IN BRIYAH, YETZIRAH, AND ASIYAH, DEPEND ON IT and not on the upper world. Therefore, Leah did not die at the same time. All that concerns Leah is hidden, as the upper world is covered and not discovered. Therefore, Leah did not die at that time, AS SHE WAS NOT ANNULED.

242. וְאִי תֵימָא, לֵאָה אַמַּאי לָא מִיתַת, בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא. אֶלָּא בְּגִין דְּבֵיתָא בְּעַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה אִיהוּ, וְכֹלָּא מִנֵּיהּ הֲווֹ לְאִתְתַּקְּנָא, וְלָאו מֵעָלְמָא עִלָּאָה, וּבְגִין כָּך לָא מִיתַת בְּהַהִיא שַׁעְתָּא. וְכָל עוֹבָדוֹי דְּלֵאָה בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא אִינוּן, בְּגִין דְּעַלְמָא עִלָאָה אִיהוּ בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא, וְלָאו בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא, וּבְגִין כָּךְ לָא אִדְכַּר מִיתָתָהּ דְלֵאָה, כְּמִיתָתָהּ דְּרָחֵל.

Asher Caves Leah Machpelah Rachel

243. Come and behold, this is assuredly so. All that pertains to the upper world, LEAH, is hidden, and all that pertains to the lower world is revealed. Therefore, Leah was hidden and buried in the cave of the Machpelah, and Rachel was buried by the open road. The one is hidden, and the other is open. Thus, the upper world excels in secrecy, as it is written, "And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed, and she called his name Asher" (Beresheet 30: 13).

243. וְתָא חֲזֵי, דְּהָכֵי הוּא וַדַּאי. בְּגִין דְּעַלְמָא עִלָּאָה, כָּל מִלּוֹי בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא, וְעַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה כָּל מִלּוֹי בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא בְּגִין כָּך, אִתְכַּסְּיָא לֵאָה בִּמְעַרְתָּא דְּכָפֶלְתָּא, וְרָחֵל בְּגִלּוּיָיא דְּאוֹרְחָא, דָּא בְּסִתְרָא, וְדָא בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא. וּבְאִתְכַּסְּיָא עַלְמָא עִלָּאָה אִתְרְשֵׁים, דִּכְתִיב וַתֹּאמֶר לֵאָה בְּאָשְׁרִי כִּי אִשְׁרוּנִי בָנוֹת, וּבְגִין כָּךְ קָרְאָה שְׁמֵיהּ אָשֵׁר.

Chassadim Jerusalem Righteous Zion

244. Thus, all became one, because all comes from the upper world. This is true everywhere, BOTH WHEN ALL IS PERFECT AND WHEN ALL IS NOT PERFECT. There are two worlds, the one disclosed and the other hidden. We bless the Holy One, blessed be He, only through both worlds, as it is written, "Blessed be Hashem the Elohim of Yisrael from the world to the world" (Tehilim 106:48). We therefore call the upper world "he," IN THE THIRD, HIDDEN PERSON, and the lower world "you," IN THE SECOND, PRESENT PERSON. And because He is blessed from the upper world by the Righteous, it is written, "Blessed be Hashem out of Zion, He who dwells at Jerusalem" (Tehilim 135:21). BECAUSE THE LOWER WORLD IS BLESSED BY CHASSADIM FROM THE UPPER WORLD, IT IS REVEALED TO US. This is so because it is from Zion, YESOD OF THE UPPER WORLD, that it is blessed. THEREFORE, THE UPPER WORLD SHOULD ALWAYS EXIST IN THIS ASPECT.

244. וּבְגִין דָּא, כֹּלָּא חַד, דְּהָא כֹּלָּא הֲוֵי מֵעַלְמָא עִלָּאָה. הָכֵי נָמֵי, וּבְכָל אֲתַר, תְּרֵין עָלְמִין, דָּא בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא, וְדָא בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא, וַאֲנַן לָא מְבָרְכִינָן לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, אֶלָּא בִּתְרֵין עָלְמִין, דִּכְתִיב בָּרוּךְ ה' אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן הָעוֹלָם וְעַד הָעוֹלָם. בְּגִינֵי כָּךְ, עַלְמָא עִלָּאָה קָרֵינָן הו"א, וְקָרֵינָן לְעַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה, אַתָּ"ה, בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ בָּרוּךְ מֵעַלְמָא עִלָּאָה, עַל יְדָא דְצַדִּיק, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב בָּרוּךְ ה' מִצִּיּוֹן שׁוֹכֵן יְרוּשָׁלָם וגו.' וַדַּאי מִצִּיּוֹן אִיהוּ בָּרוּךְ.

Thirteen

245. Come and behold, "Hashem, Hashem," AT THE BEGINNING OF THE THIRTEEN ATTRIBUES, refers to the two worlds, the revealed and the hidden. Therefore, there is a comma between the two. But in, "from the world to the world," all is one, BECAUSE THE DISCLOSED WORLD HAS NOTHING OF ITS OWN. EVERYTHING IT HAS IS GIVEN FROM THE HIDDEN WORLD.

245. תָּא חֲזֵי, כְּגַוְונָא דָא ה' ה' תְּרֵין עָלְמִין נִינְהוּ, דָּא בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא, וְדָא בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא, וְעַל דָּא פָּסִיק טַעְמָא בְּגַוַּוְיְיהוּ, וּמֵעַלְמָא דָא, עַד עַלְמָא דָא, כֹּלָּא חָד.

Benjamin Jacob Joseph Laban Rachel Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel

246. "And it came to pass, when Rachel had given birth to Joseph." Rabbi Yehuda said, Come and behold the perfection of Jacob, who did not wish to leave without Laban's permission. It may be said that at another time he did not take his leave, but rather fled from him. HE ANSWERS, This was because Jacob was afraid that Laban would not let him go; then the twelve tribes would have been completed in a foreign land. Therefore, after Jacob saw that the time had come for Benjamin to be born, he fled, as it is written, "So he fled with all that he had" (Beresheet 31:21).

246. וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה רָחֵל אֶת יוֹסֵף וגו,' אֲמַר רִבִּי יְהוּדָה, תָּא חֲזֵי, שְׁלֵימוּתָא דְיַעֲקֹב, דְּלָא בָעָא לְמֵיזַל אֶלָּא בִּרְשׁוּתֵיהּ דְּלָבָן. וְאִי תֵימָא, זִמְנָא אַחֲרִינָא אַמַּאי לָא אָזֵיל בִּרְשׁוּתֵיהּ. אֶלָא בְּגִין דְּדָחִיל יַעֲקֹב, דְּלָא יִשְׁבּוֹק לֵיהּ, וְיִשְׁתְּלִימוּ תְּרֵיסַר שִׁבְטִין, בְּאַרְעָא אָחֳרָא. וְעַל דָּא כֵּיוָן דְּחָמָא, דְּמָטָא שַׁעְתָּא דְבִנְיָמִין, בָּרַח, כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמֵר, וַיִּבְרַח הוּא, וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ.

Benjamin House Jacob Rachel Shechinah Tribes Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel Wisdom

247. This was because after Benjamin was born, the Shechinah attached herself to all the tribes and lived with them. Jacob, who understood the mystery of wisdom, saw that once the twelve tribes were perfected, the Shechinah would be adorned and attached to them, Rachel would die, and the Shechinah would receive the house.

247. דְּכֵיוָן דְּאִתְיְלֵיד בִּנְיָמִין, אִתְקַשְׁרַת שְׁכִינְתָּא בְּכֻלְּהוּ שִׁבְטִין, וְנָטְלָא בֵּיתָא בְּכֻלְּהוּ. וְיַעֲקֹב הֲוָה יָדַע בְּרָזָא דְּחָכְמְתָא, דְּכַד יִשְׁתַּלִּימוּ תְּרֵיסַר שִׁבְטִין, דִּשְׁכִינְתָּא תִּתְקַשֵּׁט וְתִתְקַשֵּׁר בְּהוֹ, וְרָחֵל תָּמוּת, וְאִיהִי נָטְלָא בֵּיתָא.

House Infertility Jacob Moses Rachel Shechinah Tribes Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel Women

248. Come and behold, we have learned as much. The lower world, THE SHECHINAH, was worthy of being united with Jacob, as it was worthy of Moses. However, it could not achieve union until there were twelve tribes in the house for her to be connected with. When the twelve tribes were completed, Rachel was removed, and THE SHECHINAH received the house containing the twelve tribes and became its foundation (Heb. ikar). Then, it was written, "He makes the barren (Heb. akarah) woman to keep house" (Tehilim 113:9).

248. תָּא חֲזֵי, הָכֵי אוֹלִיפְנָא, עַלְמָא תַּתָּאָה אִתְחֲזֵי לֵיהּ לְיַעֲקֹב, כְּמָה דְאִתְחֲזֵי לְמשֶׁה, אֶלָּא דְּלָא יְכֵילַת, עַד דַּהֲווֹ תְּרֵיסַר שִׁבְטִין בְּבֵיתָא, לְאִתְקַשְּׁרָא בְּהוֹ, וּכְדֵין אִתְדַּכִּיאַת רָחֵל, וְנָטְלָא אִיהִי בֵיתָא בְּכֻלְּהוּ שִׁבְטִין, וַהֲוַת עִקְּרָא דְבֵיתָא, וּכְדֵין מוֹשִׁיבִי עֲקֶרֶת הַבַּיִת וַדַּאי.

Benjamin Holy Land House Jacob Joseph Rachel Tribes Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel Women

249. Jacob said, The time has come FOR BENJAMIN TO BE BORN, AND for the twelve tribes to be completed. Surely the world above descended to the house to be connected with them - and for this poor woman, RACHEL, to be removed from before it. If she dies here, I shall never leave. Moreover, this land is not worthy of completing the house, ONLY THE HOLY LAND IS WORTHY. Therefore, "And it came to pass, when Rachel had given birth to Joseph," means before the tribes were completed.

249. אֲמַר יַעֲקֹב, הָא מָטָא זִמְנָא, דְּאִשְׁתְּלִימוּ תְּרֵיסַר שִׁבְטִין, וַדַּאי עַלְמָא דִּלְעֵילָא יֵחוֹת הוּא לְבֵיתָא, לְאִתְקַשְּׂרָא בְּהוֹ, וּמִסְכְּנוּתָא דָא אִתְדַּחְיָיא קַמֵּיהּ, אִי תָּמוּת הָכָא, לָא אֶפּוֹק מֵהָכָא לְעָלְמִין, וְלָא עוֹד, אֶלָּא בְאַרְעָא דָא, לָא אִתְחֲזֵי לְאַשְׁלָמָא בֵיתָא, בְּגִין כָּךְ וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה וגו,' עַד לָא אִשְׁתַּלִּימוּ שִׁבְטִין.

Benjamin Correction Holy Land Jacob Laban Pregnancy Rachel Tribes Year

250. Rabbi Shimon heard. He said, All Rabbi Yehuda's words were correct, but the last surpasses them all. You may wonder why he did not leave immediately, BUT RATHER STAYED AND WORKED SIX YEARS WITH LABAN'S CATTLE. This was because as long as Rachel was not yet pregnant with Benjamin, he was delayed. Once the time had come AND SHE WAS PREGNANT with Benjamin, he fled. And he did not request his leave FROM LABAN so that he would not be detained, and so that Jacob would be connected with all the tribes in the proper place IN THE HOLY LAND.

250. שְׁמַע רָבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אֲמַר, וַדַּאי כָּל מִלּוֹי דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה שַׁפִּיר, וְדָא סָלֵיק עַל כֹּלָּא. וְאִי תֵימָא אַמַּאי לָא אֲזַל לֵיהּ לְאוֹרְחֵיהּ מִיָּד, אֶלָּא, כָּל זְמַן דְּרָחֵל לָא מִתְעַבְּרָא מִבִּנְיָמִין, אִתְעַכַּב תַּמָּן, כֵּיוָן דְּמָטָא זִמְנָא דְּבִנְיָמִין, עָרַק, וְלָא בָעָא רְשׁוּתָא, בְּגִין דְּלָא יִתְעַכֵּב תַּמָּן, וְיִתְחַבֵּר יַעֲקֹב בְּכוּלְהוּ שִׁבְטִין, בְּאַתְרָא דְאִצְטְרִיךְ.

Fear Jacob Jethro Laban Moses Shepherd

251. Rabbi Aba began with the verse, "And Moses went and returned to Yeter his father-in-law" (Shemot 4:18). Come and behold, Moses was a shepherd for the cattle of Jethro, his father-in-law, and dwelled with him. When he desired to leave, he first obtained Jethro's permission. But why did not Jacob, who was a perfect man and dwelled constantly with Laban, ask permission AS MOSES DID? HE ANSWERS, We have learned THAT JACOB DID NOT ASK LABAN'S PERMISSION BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID Laban would find excuses to make him stay. Once before he had told Laban HE WISHED TO GO HOME. Immediately Laban found excuses, and he stayed. Therefore, since he was afraid of him, HE DID NOT ASK HIS LEAVE.

251. רִבִּי אַבָּא פְּתַח, וַיֵּלֶךְ מֹשֶׁה וַיָּשָׁב אֶל יֶתֶר חוֹתְנוֹ וגו.' תָּא חֲזֵי, מֹשֶׁה רָעֵי עָנָא דְיִתְרוֹ חָמוֹי הֲוָה, וְדִיּוּרֵיהּ הֲוָה בֵיהּ, וְכַד בָּעֵי לְמֵיזַל, לָא אֲזַל אֶלָּא בִּרְשׁוּתָא דִידֵיהּ, וְיַעֲקֹב דַּהֲוָה שְׁלִים, וְדִיּוּרֵיהּ הֲוָה תָּדִיר עִמֵּיהּ דְּלָבָן, אַמַּאי לָא בָעָא רְשׁוּתָא מִנֵּיהּ. אֶלָּא הָא אִתְּמָר דְּלָא יְגַלְגֵּל לָבָן, עִמֵּיהּ גִּלְגּוּלִין, וְיִשְׁתָּאַר תַּמָּן, דְּהָא בְּקַדְמֵיתָא אֲמַר לֵיהּ, וּמִיָּד גִּלְגֵּל עֲלֵיהּ גִּלְגּוּלִין, וְאִשְׁתָּאַר תַּמָּן, וְהַשְׁתָּא דָחִיל מִנֵּיהּ.

Jacob Jethro Laban Moses Sorcery Witchcraft

252. But Jethro did not oppose Moses, unlike Laban, the sorcerer, who opposed Jacob. Laban used sorcery in everything he did against Jacob. Now Jacob did not desire to be delayed, because the Holy One, blessed be He, told him, "Return to the land of your fathers" (Beresheet 31:3). He therefore did not wish to be delayed and forsake the command of his Master. HE THEREFORE DID NOT ASK HIS PERMISSION.

252. אֲבָל יִתְרוֹ, לָא הֲוָה הָכֵי לְגַבֵּי מֹשֶׁה. בְּגִין דְּלָבָן חָרָשָׁא הֲוָה, וּבְחָרָשָׁא הֲוָה כָּל עוֹבָדוֹי, לְגַבֵּי דְיַעֲקֹב, וְהַשְׁתָּא לָא בָעָא יַעֲקֹב לְאִתְעַכְּבָא תַּמָּן, דְּהָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אָמַר לוֹ שׁוּב אֶל אֶרֶץ אֲבוֹתֶיךָ וגו,' וְע"ד לָא בָעָא לְאִתְעַכְּבָא וּלְמִישְׁבַּק פִּקּוּדָא דְמָרֵיהּ.

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