Based on parashat Vayigash, one might conclude that there are two Ya'akov Avinus. The first Ya'akov, when given the chance to see his long-lost son in Egypt, goes off with great enthusiasm and zeal. The second Ya'akov, while on the way to see Yosef, stops in Be'er Sheva, and only continues on his journey after God says to him: "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt." (Bereishit 46:3)
But the reality is that there is only one Ya'akov, whose enthusiasm about going to Egypt changes from high to hesitant. Why so?
Ya'akov's hesitation begins in Be'er Sheva. There, many years earlier, Ya'akov's parents had ordered him to leave the country for two important reasons - to save his life and to find a wife. Now, Ya'akov once again wants to leave the country, but this time for the purely personal desire to see his lost son. Is this trip justified? Ya'akov interrupts his journey until he receives confirmation that God approves of his actions.
There are two types of Jews who do not yet live in the land of Israel. Some, like the youthful Ya'akov, have issues that clearly justify their living outside of the land. Others, like Ya'akov in his old age, live in the Diaspora because of a personal preference. Ya'akov teaches us to distinguish between the two reasons, and, in the latter case, to engage in self-reflection in order to determine whether the personal gain truly justifies the spiritual loss of not living in the land promised by God to our forefathers.
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Rabbi Avraham Norin grew up in northern New Jersey. Following high school, he spent a year in Israel, and after several extensions of that "year", made aliyah. He is proud to be part of a new neighborhood and kollel on the Golan Heights. Avraham and family are now on shelichut in Philadelphia teaching at Stern Hebrew High School, as well as serving as the official local representatives of Aloh Naaleh.
But the reality is that there is only one Ya'akov, whose enthusiasm about going to Egypt changes from high to hesitant. Why so?
Ya'akov's hesitation begins in Be'er Sheva. There, many years earlier, Ya'akov's parents had ordered him to leave the country for two important reasons - to save his life and to find a wife. Now, Ya'akov once again wants to leave the country, but this time for the purely personal desire to see his lost son. Is this trip justified? Ya'akov interrupts his journey until he receives confirmation that God approves of his actions.
There are two types of Jews who do not yet live in the land of Israel. Some, like the youthful Ya'akov, have issues that clearly justify their living outside of the land. Others, like Ya'akov in his old age, live in the Diaspora because of a personal preference. Ya'akov teaches us to distinguish between the two reasons, and, in the latter case, to engage in self-reflection in order to determine whether the personal gain truly justifies the spiritual loss of not living in the land promised by God to our forefathers.
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Rabbi Avraham Norin grew up in northern New Jersey. Following high school, he spent a year in Israel, and after several extensions of that "year", made aliyah. He is proud to be part of a new neighborhood and kollel on the Golan Heights. Avraham and family are now on shelichut in Philadelphia teaching at Stern Hebrew High School, as well as serving as the official local representatives of Aloh Naaleh.