In this week’s Parsha, our forefather Yaacov promises Laban to work seven years to earn Rachel as his wife. The Torah says that because he loved Rachel, the seven years “seemed like little time to him” (Vayetse, 29:20).
The Shadal (Trieste, Italy) explains that “those days were days of tranquility and pleasure, for he took pleasure in his love and hope (we have no greater good than hope)”.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, ZT”L explains that the Torah is not a storybook, but a series of spirtual lessons — it would not include such a romantic tidbit were it not to come teach us an important lesson. Here in prison, no lesson is more-easily experienced firsthand than this one, perhaps. You can either focus on the hardships, or visualize and work toward a joyful future full of love, family, friends, acts of kindness, and creative work that helps and uplifts others.
Yaakov’s work was not easy, nor was his boss fair, the Parsha later makes clear, but because he was working towards a deep love and a future family that would continue the values of Abraham and Isaac and Sarah and Rivkah the work and time seemed light.
Prison isn’t designed to be easy or pleasant, and life outside is full of challenges and tests, but how quickly and joyfully the time goes depends on whether we’re “already” in the future, or whether we cling to the present reality.
This week’s Parsha is a lesson that reality is how you choose to see and feel it.
It’s a reminder to choose hope.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a week full of hope and fullfilled dreams.
– Ari
