Sicha, 10 Kislev 5742,
And Sicha, 10 Kislev 5744
A. “G-d has blessed me because of you”
In our Parshah, Jacob’s father-in-law Laban admits that the blessing of his possessions came in the merit of Jacob. What was this blessing? Rashi explains that sons were born to him (Source 1). The Zohar gives two additional explanations:
His monthly livestock production increased by one hundred sheep.
His monthly livestock production increased by one thousand sheep (Source 2).
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father, explains that both opinions are true: an increase of one hundred reflects a blessing that stems from the sefirah of Binah (understanding), whereas an increase of one thousand stems from the sefirah of Chochmah (wisdom). Chochmah is closer to G-d’s Infinite Light, and therefore the blessing associated with it is much greater.
We need to explore what lesson this can teach us in our service of G-d.
B. “Seek the welfare of the city”
The explanation: Jacob’s blessing to Laban derives from the principle of “Seek the peace of the city,” as Jeremiah commanded the exiles of Babylon (Source 3). When Jews reside in countries under the rule of other nations, they bring G-d’s blessing upon the entire country.
There are two ways this blessing is drawn down:
From the sefirah of Binah—a blessing that manifests naturally.
From the sefirah of Chochmah—a blessing that is above nature.
Hence, there are two modes in our service of G-d regarding how Jews bring blessing to their surroundings: whether through a natural channel or an above-nature channel. The conclusion is that it happens in both ways. It also occurs above nature, as we see in Jacob’s blessing to Pharaoh that the Nile would rise toward him (Source 4). Similarly, the Midrash teaches that the righteous bring blessing to every place they arrive (Source 5). And for generations Jews have had the custom to pray for the success of the ruling government that hosts them (Source 6).
C. A Superpower
Throughout history a consistent pattern is visible: during periods when the majority of the Jewish people—in both quantity and quality—were concentrated in a particular country, that country became a global superpower. This was the case in Babylonia, Persia, Russia, and the United States.
The Midrash teaches that when Israel is exiled to a certain nation by G-d’s will, it is for the honor of Israel that the kingdom rises to greatness (Source 7). Accordingly, when Russia contained the greatest quantity and quality of Jews (the Baal Shem Tov and the spread of Chassidut), it was a tremendous superpower; and when the majority of the Jewish people later moved to the United States, it became the greatest world superpower.
