In this week’s parsha, we learn about Yaakov’s journey to a faraway land called Charan. This place was geographically distant from his hometown, Be’er Sheva, and spiritually furthest from the divine atmosphere of the home he was raised in. Despite his struggles with his deceitful uncle and father-in-law Lavan, he was extraordinarily successful in raising a large family dedicated to the morals and values he embodied. How did he do it?
Last week, we learned that Yitzchak wished to bless his son Eisav in his old age. Rivka disapproved of the plan and engineered a brilliant ruse for Yaakov to receive the blessings instead. When Rivka learned through prophecy that Eisav planned to kill Yaakov in revenge, she instructed him to flee to Charan until Eisav’s wrath subsided.
To explain Yaakov’s sudden departure, she fretted to Yitzchak over Yaakov’s options for finding a suitable match from the local girls. In response to this issue, Yitzchak instructed Yaakov to travel to Charan and marry a girl from the Abrahamic family. The Torah then records “Yitzchak then sent Yaakov on his way.” While the circumstances and results of their conversations with Yaakov were the same, there is an enormously meaningful difference between them. Rivka sent him off as a fugitive escaping the vengeful wrath of his evil brother. Yitzchak, on the other hand, sent Yaakov on a mission. He was leaving the same spiritual home and arriving in the same dark place, but coming there as a “Shliach” an emissary instead of a fugitive allowed him to thrive, not just survive. This past weekend I had the opportunity and pleasure of participating in the International Conference of Shluchim - the Rebbe’s emissaries. Contrary to popular belief, the thousands who gathered in Brooklyn don’t necessarily share the same job descriptions. There were pulpit rabbis, fundraisers, teachers, lecturers, authors, program directors, and more. But the bond we share is that we are on the same mission. The Rebbe declared that every Jew is a Shliach - an emissary of G-d to make this world a better and brighter place. When you adopt this identity, every aspect of life is elevated with new meaning, and every circumstance becomes the catalyst for tremendous growth. One of my inspirational highlights of the conference was the moving story of Rabbi Yehoshua Soudakoff of Israel. He was born Deaf and has created a quiet revolution within his community, a place where Deaf people can explore and experience Judaism within their own culture. Please click here to watch this fascinating story. I was also moved by the story of Dr. Brian Levin who, despite discovering Jewish observance and meaning later in life, serves as an emissary in such a powerful capacity through his medical practice. You can watch his story here. May we live up to being G-d’s emissaries, transforming the entire world into a divine garden of peace and tranquility, and preparing it for the imminent arrival of Moshiach.