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Vayeshev
Genesis 37:140:23
The parsha opens with what seems to be a relatively innocuous first verse: “Jacob settled in the land of his father’s dwelling, in the land of Canaan.” (Genesis 37:1)
It makes sense that a new chapter would describe the setting, or at least give the location, of where the narrative is about to take the reader. For some reason, the sages take the line in a very different direction.
“Jacob wanted to settle in tranquility, but the tragedy of Joseph pounced on him. The righteous want to settle in tranquility and God says, ‘is it not enough for the righteous that the World to Come has been prepared for them, they want to settle in tranquility in This World as well?” (Midrash Tanchuma on Genesis 37:2)
The Midrash definitely sounds troubling. Is it really so bad to want to just live with a little peace and quiet?
The implication of sages is that since Jacob wanted to escape the hardships of the world, therefore he was challenged with the tragedy of the Joseph story. In fact, when Jacob does eventually make his way down to Egypt and meets Pharaoh, he tells him, “Few and miserable have been the years of my life,” (Genesis 47:9)
It would be hard to argue with Jacob. His life was a string of trials and tribulations. From his brother, Esau, wanting to kill him, to Laban, his father-in-law, trying to deceive him and then harm him, to the rape and abduction of his daughter, his life could not be considered “easy street.” He also had to contend with his wife’s death in childbirth, his son’s disappearance and a major famine that led his family into treacherous territory.
In order to understand the wisdom of the sages, it is important to remember that Jacob was the bearer of a great legacy. The Book of Genesis follows the life of Abraham and Sarah as they moved throughout the Land of Canaan digging wells and proclaiming the name of God. Abraham was on a mission his entire life to introduce monotheism and to eradicate idol worship. Isaac followed in his footsteps and re-dug the wells that had been stopped up by the Philistines. He understood that he had a mission to accomplish.
When Jacob returns to the Land of Canaan after having been away for over 20 years, he builds himself a house and tries to settle. He purchases land in Shechem and intends to grow old there. The critique comes as a result of not continuing the family mission of introducing God to the world. It is likely that Jacob was hoping that his children would now step up and take on that new role. That might also explain why Jacob allows his children to speak up and suggest that the people of Shechem get circumcised to intermarry with the children of Israel. (Genesis 34:13) He sees his progeny as the new generation that will bring people closer to God.
The message of the sages seems to be that one is never exempt from working toward spiritual goals. Retirement is something that emanates from the material world. A person can decide that they have enough resources and thereby choose not to continue in a career or occupation.
When it comes to serving God and fulfilling the commandments, the obligations never end at any stage of life. One just has to walk the streets of Jerusalem and peek inside the batei medresh (study halls) in almost any neighborhood to see men in their 80s and 90s poring over Talmud. At the Kotel there are always dozens of women swaying over their prayerbooks and Psalms.
The same message should resonate when it comes to communal involvement. Whether that means joining a board of directors, volunteering for a charity or taking up any role that furthers the agenda of sanctifying God’s name in this world, one should always pursue opportunities to give. A person should pace herself or himself to avoid burnout, but ultimately the goal is not the rest and relaxation that so many people chase in today’s world.
We hope that the World to Come will provide us with the great tranquility that is promised to the righteous.