This week’s parsha contains the pasuk: “And Yaakov remained alone and a man wrestled with him until dawn” [Bereishis 32:25]. The Medrash sees a connection between Yaakov remaining alone and the “Aloneness” of the Almighty. Even more strikingly, the Medrash states that Yaakov attained a stature that made him similar to the Ribono Shel Olam [Master of the Universe, i.e. G-d].
“And you shall walk in His ways” [Devorim 28:9] is one of the most fundamental mitzvos of the Torah. Emulating G-d’s ways by acting merciful (as He is Merciful), acting compassionate (as He is Compassionate) and so forth, is a primary religious obligation and is the ultimate source for many of our responsibilities towards our fellow man.
The Medrash states that in this incident Yaakov achieved a significant spiritual accomplishment by imitating one of the Almighty’s attributes. Regarding the Almighty, the pasuk says: “And Hashem ALONE will be exalted on that day [Yeshaya 2:17] and here in VaYishlach the pasuk says: “And Yaakov remained ALONE.” At this moment Yaakov emulated the G-d-like attribute of being alone.
The thrust of the pasuk “And Hashem ALONE will be exalted” is that Hashem does not need anything or anybody else to exist. He can be alone and independent. Yaakov too demonstrates this ability of going it alone, of being able to survive by himself, as it were.
Rav Yeruchem states that this is a level that every person try to achieve. A person should try to reach completeness (shleimus) by himself without the necessity of relying on others.
Rav Yeruchem is not advising us to become hermits. Rather, Rav Yeruchem is giving an insight into the meaning of the teaching of a famous Mishneh. “Ben Zoma states: Who is the wise man? One who learns from everyone. Who is the strong man? One who conquers his evil inclination. Who is the wealthy man? One who is satisfied with his lot. Who is honored? One who honors creatures.” [Avos 4:1].
What do all these four things have in common? The common denominator is that a person can achieve these goals without the help of others.
The Mishneh does not require a person to have a good teacher to become a wise man. That would make achieving wisdom dependent on someone outside oneself. The Mishneh precludes one from arguing, “I can’t become a wise man, because I don’t have a proper teacher.” Pirkei Avos counters, “No. One can become a wise man on his own – providing he is ready to learn from everyone.”
So it is with achieving strength. Strength does not have to be measured in relationship to another individual. (“I am stronger than he is.”) One can be strong independently of everyone else in the world – provided one conquers his evil inclination. Strength is not dependent on comparisons. Strength is measured “bein adam l’atzmo” (between man and himself).
The same can be said regarding wealth. It has nothing to do with having more money than my neighbor. If that were the case, I could never be considered wealthy, for there is always someone richer. True wealth only depends on oneself (levado), alone and independent. I can be the richest person in the world if I am happy with my lot.
Finally, even honor, contrary to our expectations, can be achieved independently. Honor is not dependent on being given Shlishi or Shishi or Maftir. Honor is determined by whether one honors other creatures.
Rav Yeruchum points out as follows. This Mishneh is emphasizing that in order to achieve perfection, a person must be able to function in a vacuum – as a “levado” [one who is alone]. Wisdom, wealth, strength, and honor do not need outsiders to be measured or to be achieved. One achieves them through the attribute of being “alone.”
