For over sixty years, Yaakov lived a sheltered life of study and devotion. It seemed predictable that he would never cut a deal in his life. His brother Eisav was the man of the world - ambitious and successful.
Everything changed when Rivkah learned of Eisav’s intention to kill Yaakov in revenge for receiving the blessings he felt were rightfully his. She advised Yaakov to flee to her brother Lavan in a faraway land until his brother’s rage subsided. Armed with his father Yitzchak’s blessing and instruction to marry, he set out on a new journey in life.
Arriving at his destination, he started working as a shepherd. Seven years he toiled to earn Rachel’s hand in marriage only to be tricked into marrying Leah. Seven more years of labor was the price for marrying Rachel. He did so in perfect faith without uttering a complaint.
After fourteen years, Lavan offered to pay him like a mentch. Yaakov set forth terms of a deal that ensured his integrity would be apparent above all else, and Lavan happily accepted them. Any business professional reviewing the deal would bemoan Yaakov’s naiveté.
Surprisingly, Yaakov did very well. In a short time, he amassed a fortune that was the envy of the entire region. The lifelong Yeshiva boy had proven to be a perceptive businessman, capable of outsmarting the wily Lavan each time he tried to undercut his success. How did he do it?
Shepherding sheep was Yaakov’s occupation and his payment was in sheep as well. He bartered the sheep and acquired much livestock, cattle and slaves. Understanding the inner dimension of sheep will allow us to discover Yaakov’s secret to success.
Sheep are utterly obedient and follow their shepherd unquestioningly.
Yaakov’s transparent obedience to G-d gave him the inner strength and ability to navigate the big world successfully. When life is about fulfilling a divine mission, the optics become irrelevant. Total immersion in the spiritual cocoon of Torah study and the fast-paced life on Wall Street are not a contradiction - when permeated with the awareness that they are all part of G-d’s masterplan.
The name of this week’s parsha is “Vayeitzei” – to go out. We are constantly challenged to leave our comfort zone and to conquer new frontiers.
While it is necessary to have a healthy dosage of chutzpa and ambition, absolute obedience is the foundation of a Jew’s success. The Code of Jewish law provides the divine guidelines to every area of life, and following it scrupulously sets us on a path to ultimate success.
Obedience does not come natural to us humans. We need to train ourselves one mitzvah at a time. Success is discovered every step of the way.