Yaakov’s spiritual retreat (Vayigash)
Rav Johnny's original thoughts on the weekly parsha
‘When they told him everything Yosef had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Yosef had sent to bring him back, Yaakov’s spirit was filled with new life. Yisrael said, “It is enough: Yosef my son is still alive! I must go and see him before I die.” So Yisrael sent out with all he had. When he reached Be’er Sheva, he offered up sacrifices to the God of his father Yitzchak. And God spoke to Yisrael in a night vision: “Yaakov, Yaakov.” He replied, “Here I am.” “I am God, the God of your father,” He said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt with you, and I Myself will also bring you back…”’ (Bereishit 45:27-46:4)
Many commentaries have asked: Why did Yaakov need to stop in Be’er Sheva while he journeyed to Egypt, in order to offer sacrifices?
And though many have offered fascinating answers, I would like to share a profound insight from Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky (Emet L’Yaakov commentary to Bereishit 26:24):
‘There is a tradition which our Sages (Bereishit Rabbah 94:4) have taught us that Avraham Avinu planted Shitim trees in Be’er Sheva whose wood would subsequently be used to build the Mishkan…On the basis of this tradition, it seems that Be’er Sheva was a holy site for our patriarchs, and that this is where they would go for comfort when they felt concerned or when they were worried about something… This is evident by the actions of Yitzchak who went to Be’er Sheva after the difficulties he experienced with Avimelech where he then had a prophetic vision… And similarly, we find that before he travelled to Egypt, Yaakov came to Be’er Sheva to offer sacrifices and that it was in Be’er Sheva where God told him: “Do not be afraid”.’
There is much we can learn from this insight of Rabbi Kamenetsky, but the particular point that I would like to focus on is the idea of having a ‘place of comfort’, and specifically, a place of comfort where we go to for respite and inspiration especially when we are feeling concerned or worried.
Perhaps we may think that going to a particular location for a ‘spiritual retreat’ is a modern phenomenon. But it seems clear from Rabbi Kamenetsky’s analysis that this is exactly what our patriarchs did.
Especially since October 7th 2023 we have all been carrying great concerns and worries which weigh on our body and our soul, while daily living itself brings many pressures onto us all.
Given this, if you don’t yet have a location where you can go to in order to help you recharge your emotional and spiritual batteries, perhaps now is the time to find such a location and to make a trip there for a spiritual retreat.
Shabbat Shalom!