Torah
TorahRachael Cerrotti - Flash 90

Then you shall call out and say before Hashem, your G-d, "An Aramean tried to destroy my Forefather"(26:5).

Chazal attribute this to Lavan who tried to destroy Yaakov. The Ramban points out over and over again, "Maaseh Avot Siman LeBonim". The happenings of our Forefathers are the prototype for events in the future of the Jewish Nation. Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover T'ZL (my great great great great Grandfather) writes extensively on the meaning of "Arami Oved Avi" (An Aramean tried to destroy my Forefather). Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover T'ZL believes that the future and Final Redemption is based upon this Posuk and it is why it is so central to the Haggadah which highlights Our Redemption.

The story of Lavan according to Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover T'ZL is more of a template for the Final Redemption than is the story of Our going out of Egypt. Just like Lavan pursued Yaakov to destroy him and G-d thwarted his plans, so too G-d will intervene to block the nations of the World from destroying Israel today.

In the case of Lavan G-d came to him in his dreams and told him not to destroy Yaakov. Hence the Haggadah says, " In each generation they rise up against us to destroy us, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, delivers us from their hand". Although Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover does not say this, but in line with his analysis of "Arami Oved Avi" the loss of Rochel Imeinu may represent the loss of countless great Jews and Jewesses along the way of the ultimate redemption. Chazal say Rochel Imeinu constantly is praying for those who went into Exile. She represents all of the beautiful Jews who have been killed by our enemies. Rochel Imeinu is there for all of them. Just as Lavan tried desperately to retrieve his idols, Gog and Magog will try to establish their Religion as sovereign in one final showdown. The result is they lose everything. Lavan never retrieved his idols.

G-d thwarted all of his plans. The story of the Exodus from Egypt was one of outright and obvious miracles. The ultimate Geulah according to Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover will be more like the leaving of Lavan. This "redemption" occurred with hidden miracles and behind the scenes Acts of G-d. The Redemption we are experiencing now fits more this pattern. It is a cause of much hope, an encouraging sign, that this indeed is the Final Redemption occurring right before our very own eyes. Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover further contrasts the salvation from Lavan versus the Exodus from Egypt. Pharoah only wanted to destroy all the males. Lavan wanted to destroy males and females alike. The story of Yeziat Mizraim is much closer and analogous to the story of Abraham going down to Egypt and Pharoah wanting to kill Abraham so he could take his wife Sarah for himself. Killing the male and saving the female.

As alluded to above Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover says the story of Lavan relates to the war of Gog and Magog. The Jewish People go to battle and eventually return to their Fathers-Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Just as Yaakov started making plans to leave Lavan when Yosef was born similarly Moshiach Ben Yosef will start the process which will be completed by Moshiach Ben David. This is the meaning according to Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover of the Posuk "I have acquired oxen, and donkeys, flocks, servants, and maidservants, and I an sending to tell my "master" to find favor in your eyes".Bereshit 32:6. The Ox represents Moshiach Ben Yosef (Yosef is compared to an Ox-Bachor Shor) and the donkey represents Moshiach Ben David(Zechariah 9:9, Sanhedrin 98a).

Rav Yitzchok Isaac Chover ends his commentary on "Arami Oved Avi" by quoting his Rebbe the Gra Z'L of Vilna who believed that even though the Jewish People are persecuted and tortured, G-d will always intervene on our behalf, and we will grow and get stronger. All of the trials and tribulations ultimately work to fortify us as a People. Lavan tortured Yaakov and sought to destroy him. The end result is that Yaakov produced the twelve tribes and set in motion the Ultimate Redemption-may it happen I'YH speedily in our day. Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova