Priorities

There are times when we may be tempted to undertake projects that are new and exciting, at the expense of older and less glamorous, but, more important, responsibilities. This attitude is rooted in selfishness, looking for projects that will satisfy our egos, rather than fulfilling that which is important for the world. Our focus must be on what we can do for G-d and the world, not what is most gratifying for ourselves. In a perfect world the greatest joy comes from the sense that we helped fulfill somebody else’s dream.

Laban’s “Magnanimity”

Jacob was promised by his uncle Laban that he would give his daughter Rachel to him for a wife. Jacob worked hard for his bride. Seven years of grueling labor was the price he paid to marry Rachel. According to our sages the love Jacob had for her was not just romantic love, but a love based on the compatibility of their souls and their shared destiny.

It did not work out the way Jacob had hoped for and anticipated, at least, not initially.

Laban tricked Jacob. Instead of giving him Rachel he had given him Rachel’s older sister Leah. When Jacob protested, Laban simply hid behind local custom of not marrying off the younger sister before the older one.

Laban, however, “magnanimously,” agreed to give him Rachel as well for the price of another seven years of work for him. Jacob agreed and a week after his wedding to Leah, he married Rachel.

How Could Jacob Marry Two Sisters?

Commentators raise a very interesting question. According to Talmudic tradition, the Patriarchs kept all the laws of the Torah, even before they were given at Sinai. The Patriarchs anticipated, either prophetically or intuitively, the teachings of the Torah and implemented them into their own lives.

If this was so, commentators raise the question, how did Jacob marry Rachel and Leah who were sisters. Does this not contradict the Biblical commandment in Leviticus not to marry two sisters? How do we reconcile Jacob’s professed commitment to the 613 commandments of the post-Sinai era, after marrying two sisters?

Volunteer, but not at the Expense of Obligations

One of the answers to this question, given by the Rebbe (Likkutei Schos volume 5), provides us with some insight into the important area of priorities.

Before Sinai, every person had to observe the “Seven Noahide Commandments.” They include the laws and practices that help to make the world a decent and civilized world. When Abraham, Isaac and Jacob undertook to follow the commandments of the Torah, they were accepting to do things that were above and beyond the call of duty. By no means did they use their new commitments to circumvent the obligations they shared with the rest of the human race.

For Jacob, not marrying two sisters was a personal preference because it provided him with an opportunity to go beyond the requirements of society then. But, if Jacob would have not married Rachel – after he was tricked into marrying Leah – this would have constituted a serious breach of contract with Rachel.

Furthermore, Rachel would have been heartbroken at the prospects of losing Jacob.

Moreover, according to a Midrashic tradition, it was assumed that one daughter of Laban would have to marry Jacob’s wicked brother, Esau. Imagine how devastated Rachel would have been had she been forced into marrying the villain Esau instead of the righteous Jacob.

Jacob was not interested in adding on more obligations so that he can feel good about himself. Jacob’s motivation to do more was rooted in his desire to better serve G-d. He certainly would not have observed this optional commandment – of not marrying two sisters – at the expense of breaking a contract, and causing irreparable harm to another person.

Satisfying our Egos

We can derive from this an important lesson in assigning priorities. There are times when we may be tempted to undertake projects that are new and exciting, at the expense of older and less glamorous, but, more important, responsibilities. This attitude is rooted in selfishness, looking for projects that will satisfy our egos, rather than fulfilling that which is important for the world.

Jacob’s behavior teaches us otherwise. The Patriarchs, while, historically speaking, inhabited this planet over three thousand years ago, actually lived in the future Messianic world of perfection. In their world – and the world we will all soon experience – the focus is on what we can do for G-d and the world, not what is most gratifying for ourselves. In a perfect world the greatest joy comes from the sense that we helped fulfill somebody else’s dream.

The Focus Today

As we stand on the threshold of the Final Redemption, we have to be more sensitive to those things that are crucial for our final thrust into this new age. While there are many worthwhile projects that we can undertake, our focus has to be doing those things that carry us over the top.

The Rebbe encouraged us to study the teachings of the Torah that deal with Redemption as our way of internalizing Messianic energies.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Vayeitzei by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.