Parasha Vaishlaj 5782
Parsha Vaishlach (Bereshit-Genesis 32:4 - 36:43)
The little ones are those sparks that keep our people illuminating!
“Therefore the Children of Israel must not eat the sinew
displaced (sciatic nerve) that is in the socket of the thigh up to today, because (the angel) had struck the lace of the thigh of Jacob in the displaced sinew” (32:33)
The messenger (Malach) of Esau had struck Jacob on the thigh. Our sages (the Zohar) explained that the feet of the Tzadik (the great Righteous One) are represented in those who support the Tzadik, that is, his students, who care for and reinforce their teachers who teach them Torah. And in what way? When the student questions his teacher, he forces him to delve deeper and review what he has learned once again, and in this way, to elevate and increase his wisdom.
Many times, thanks to questions that people ask me about the Parasha, I was able to prepare entire classes, because the question
forced to search among books and sources for some answers and in this way discover beautiful treasures.
Besides, we all know that 'If there are no calves, there will be no calves.'That is what the wicked Esav attempted to do. Prevent children from studying Torah, depriving the people of future Talmideh Chachamim (Wise Students). If it weren't for the spirit of study of those little ones, the world would not stand.
That is what the angel of Esau intended, to affect the support of the Tzadik (the great righteous one) and of the world, in other words, his feet.
To do the damage, he focused on a small member, just a vein, as our “Little” children appear to be.
I remember that my teacher, Rabbi Chaim Shemuel Lopian Ztz”l, used to prepare his classes accompanied by his student, the Gaon Rabbi Nisim Revivo, who was still very young at the time, since studying with a companion is what truly makes one learn and grow. My teacher, the Tzadik Rabbi Ze’ev Kofan Shlita, also studied once a week with the Gaon Rabbi Nisim Revivo Ztz”l.
But Jacob Abinu understood the angel's intention, and so that the forces of impurity could not harm children, he established a Mitzvah, which protects us, and prohibits us from eating the sciatic nerve.
So we must remember that great things can emerge from the smallest and perhaps most insignificant things.
Likewise, when we want to make a change in our lives, and if we do it for the "whole" we will hardly achieve it, but if we start with something small, very soon we will see the transformation with the help of the Creator!!
Dedicated to Refua shlema (Complete healing) of all the sick in Am Israel and the world and to Parnasa toba (Good sustenance) of all the needy.
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