Parshas Vayeishev reintroduces the dramas of Jacob’s entire life. Until now, the life of Jacob had been an emotional and physical rollercoaster. His early childhood was spent growing up with his brother Esav, in a home where his father loved his brother more than he. This childhood was cut short when he was forced to flee from his home because of the fear that Esav would kill him. Jacob then had to deal with a father-in-law who set out to trick him, and one could only imagine what his mother-in-law was like. Next, two wives fight for his attention, while throwing into the mix, two midwives as well. He endures a fight with an angel, facing the daring reality of his brother Esav approaching, and the tragically sudden and painful death of his dear wife Rachel during childbirth.
In last week’s parsha, Jacob arrives in the city of Shechem and feels it is time to retire. The verse states:
And Jacob came in peace (Shalem) to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-aram; and encamped before the city. (Genesis 33:18)
Rashi picks up on the interesting word “peace”. He explains that the word not only means peace, but also complete. Jacob looked at his life and thought his troubles were behind him. He felt complete, complacent and satisfied with his life at that point. But when complacency settles into our lives, there is only one direction our lives can go; downward. Unfortunately, his daughter Dina is raped and his children Shimon and Levi massacre the entire city. All of the alliances that Jacob, Isaac and Abraham worked diligently to cultivate were destroyed with the act by Shimon and Levi.
Jacob, however, continues to seek peace at the outset of our parsha:
And Jacob settled (Vayeishev) in the land of his fathers in the land of Canaan. (Genesis 37:1)
The Torah uses the word “settle”, which also means to dwell. This is in direct contrast to the previous parshiot of Vayetzi – and he went out, Vayishlach – and he sent. Now Jacob yearns for tranquility in his life. As Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains:
Jacob now hoped to settle down quietly, after his many wanderings. After all, this was the land of Canaan, the land that had been promised for quiet development. But, by God’s plan, the time for that had not yet arrived. (Genesis 37:1-2)
And yet again another tumult situation arises. His son Joseph is stolen, sold as a slave and eventually makes his way to prison. What is it about complacency that apparently triggers negative behaviors? We think we reached the apex or end of certain challenges, however, in the eyes of God these challenges may just be the beginning. Jacob’s struggle is how to properly respond even after he thinks he is retired. The Torah is teaching us that complacency in ones life is not a proper character trait. Rather, a person should always strive to learn, grow and become great in their service to God. The mishnayot in Perkey Avos explains this perspective of work, and the constant ambition to accomplish:
Love work. The day is short and the work is a lot. It is not our job to complete the work, but we are not free to withdraw from it. (Chapter 1:10, 2:20-21)
We, therefore, see that when contentment sets into the mindset of Jacob, the next instances were full of more hardships. May we take lesson from this and constantly grow in our service to God.
