Vayishlach: Chapter 20

"And Jacob set a pillar"

Synopsis

This section explains the significance of the phrase, "to this day," which is attached to the title quotation. While Rabbi Yosi interprets this as a reference to the day when God resurrects the dead, Rabbi Yehuda explains that it is a reference to the day when the children of Yisrael return from exile, in accordance with the oath that God swore to the Shechinah. At that time, the children of Yisrael will weep for Rachel, as she wept for their exile - and Rachel, Yisrael, and the Shechinah shall rejoice together by the side of the road.

Relevance

A reading of this section hastens the final Redemption and Resurrection for mankind. On a personal level, this Divine energy helps resurrect areas of our lives that have been disconnected from the Light. We literally gain freedom from the forces of death.

Grave Jacob Pillar Resurrection

201. "And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave." Rabbi Yosi asks, Why DOES THE SCRIPTURE ADD THE WORDS, "TO THIS DAY?" HE REPLIES, Because her burial place will remain uncovered until the day when the Holy One, blessed be He, will raise the dead. Thus, it is said, "to this day," the very day OF RESURRECTION.

201. וַיַּצֶּב יַעֲקֹב מַצֵּבָה עַל קְבוּרָתָהּ, אֲמַר רִבִּי יוֹסֵי, מַאי טַעְמָא. בְּגִין דְּלָא אִתְכַּסְיָא אַתְרָהּ, עַד יוֹמָא דְּזַמִּין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, לַאֲחָיָיא מֵתַיָיא, כְּמָה דְאִתְּמָר, עַד הַיּוֹם, עַד הַהוּא יוֹמָא מַמָּשׁ.

202. Rabbi Yehuda said that "to this day" refers to the day when the Shechinah shall repatriate Yisrael from exile to RACHEL'S BURIAL place, as it is written, "And there is hope for your future, says Hashem, and your children shall come back again to their own border" (Yirmeyah 31:16). This is the oath the Holy One, blessed be He, swore TO THE SHECHINAH. And Yisrael, when they return from exile, will stand by Rachel's grave and weep, as she wept for the exile of Yisrael. The scripture therefore reads, "They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them" (Ibid. 8), and "for your work shall be rewarded" (Ibid. 15). At that time, Rachel will rejoice by the road together with Yisrael and the Shechinah, as has already been explained.

202. רִבִּי יְהוּדָה אֲמַר, עַד יוֹמָא, דְּתֶהֱדַר שְׁכִינְתָּא בְּגָלוּתְהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּהַהוּא אֲתַר, כְּדָבָר אֲחֵר וְיֵשׁ תִּקְוָה לְאַחֲרִיתֵךְ נְאֻם יי' וְשָׁבוּ בָנִים לִגְבוּלָם. וְדָא אוֹמָאָה, דְּאוֹמֵי לָהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. וּזְמִינִין יִשְׂרָאֵל, כַּד יְתוּבוּן מִן גָּלוּתָא, לְקָיְימָא עַל הַהִיא קְבוּרָה דְרָחֵל, וּלְמִבְכֵּי תַּמָּן, כְּמָה דְאִיהִי בָּכַאת עַל גָּלוּתְהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעַל דָּא כְתִיב, בִּבְכִי יָבֹאוּ וּבְתַחֲנוּנִים אוֹבִילֵם וגו.' וּכְתִיב כִּי יֵשׁ שָׂכָר לִפְעוּלָתֵךְ. וּבְהַהִיא שַׁעְתָּא, זְמִינַת רָחֵל, דְּאִיהִי בְאָרְחָא, לְמֶחֱדֵי בְּהוֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעִם שְׁכִינְתָּא, וְאוֹקְמוּהָ חַבְרַיָּיא.

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