Rav Lipman Podolsky z"l
"Vayeshev Yaakov -- And Yaakov settled in the land of his father's sojournings..." Interesting. Yaakov's living in the land is described as 'settling', while Yitzchak is depicted as having 'sojourned'? Furthermore, the very next verse relates: "These are the chronicles of Yaakov, Yosef..." Is there any explanation for this inscrutable juxtaposition?
Rashi explains: After his many tribulations, Yaakov sought to 'settle down' in peace (unlike his father), but the agony of Yosef's sale to Egypt pounced upon him. Said HaKadosh Boruch Hu, "Are Tzaddikim not satisfied with that which is prepared for them in the World to Come, that they desire to live comfortably in This World too?"
These words beg explanation. Why should a tzaddik not have an easy life in this world, and what does the next world have to do with anything?
The answer is: The only way to earn a portion in the next world is to pay for it by struggling through this one. "Corresponding to the pain is the reward (Avos 5:23)." Nobody rides for free. True, the tzaddik seeks serenity solely to afford him the leisure to serve Hashem. Nevertheless, such service is inherently lacking. No pain, no gain. Avoda, by definition, means struggle. "For man is born to toil (Iyov 5:7)."
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Chanuka is upon us! Only a few shopping days remain in which to ready ourselves for this annual infusion of Hasmonean Light.
Its name implies rest: Chanu-Kaf-Heh, They rested on the twenty-fifth of Kislev (Mishna Brura 670:1). But what a rest! Their's was a much earned rest, having followed years of struggle and indefagitable self-sacrifice. Without the pain and perseverance of the Chashmonaim and their disciples, there would have been no Chanuka; there would have been no victory.
If we are to relive and not just commemorate, it behooves us to emulate our forebears. No pain, no gain.
This week we received a mail-order catalog, just in time for the holiday/gift-buying season. Among the many items we were 'tempted' to purchase, one in particular struck my attention: a 'lazy-boy' recliner, complete with the caption, 'Perfect for Learning and Relaxing' (for the one-time, low price of only 4,331 shekels! As seen on TV!). Now there's an oxymoron for you! Learning and relaxing are contradictions in terms; the two cannot co-exist. A quantum couch!
A Jew ascends. "One ascends in holiness...(Shabbos 21b)" Every day a struggle; every day another candle, a bit more light, a bit more kedusha. The result is excellence.
