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From Behind The Curtain: Vayeitzei: How Do We Choose To Relate To God? |
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Written by Heshie HaGibbor
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 When G-D appears to Yakov in his dream, He appears as YH-VH (Genesis 28:13) – Vehinei YH-VH nitzav alav – and Hashem was standing over him – Vayomer, Ani YH-VH – and
He said, “I am Hashem (YH-VH) . . .”
Yakov awakes from his dream and says, (28:16) – “Surely Hashem (YH-VH) is present in this place and I didn’t know.” And he became frightened and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of G-D (Elo-Kim) and this is the gate of Heaven.”
Then later he continues with his vow (28:20 - 22) – “If G-D (Elo-Kim) will be with me , and will guard me on this path that I am going . . . and Hashem (YH-VH) will be a G-D (Elo-Kim) to me. And this stone that I have set up as a pillar will become a house of G-D (Elo-Kim), and whatever You will give me, I will tithe it to You.”
Picture the scene! G-D appears to Yakov as YH-VH, and He tells him, “I am YH-VH.”
G-D is saying to Yakov, “I want to relate to you as my persona YH-VH.”
Yakov wakes up and says, “YH-VH is here in this place.”
But then he gets frightened. Frightened of what? Rashi doesn’t comment.
Yakov then proceeds to refer to Hashem as Elo-Kim rather than as YH-VH.
“This is none other than the house of Elo-Kim . . .”, and
“If Elo-Kim will be with me and guard me on this path . . . . then YH-VH will be Elo-Kim to me. . . . “, and
“This stone . . . will become a house of Elo-Kim . . .”
Yakov was apparently afraid of having a relationship with Hashem as YH-VH. That’s why the Torah tells us, that when Yakov woke up from his dream, (20:17) – Vayirah – He was afraid. His father, Yitachak, who represented Gevurah (strength), lived by midas haDin (the attribute of the strict rule of law). Perhaps Yakov was used to seeing his father that way, and was not comfortable with YH-VH, which usually represents midas haRachamim (the attribute of Mercy).
The B’nei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) were afraid when G-D said, “Anochi YH-VH . . “ in the opening of the Ten Commandments, and they told Moshe to intercede for them. Moshe should hear the commandments directly from YH_VH and He, Moshe should transmit G-D’s words to them. They were afraid of having a direct relationship with Hashem as YH-VH.
In the last verse of this parsha, when Yakov sees the angels of G-D, he says (Genesis 32:3) – And Yakov said, when he saw them, “This is a camp of Elo-Kim.”
Is it possible that G-D wanted to have a relationship with Yakov as YH-VH – the Attribute of Mercy, but Yakov was afraid and instead chose to relate to G-D as Elo-Kim?
Is it also possible that that was the reason why he had to go through so many hardships in his life? Because he made that choice, even through it was because of his fear? His discomfort?
If G-D offered you that choice, to relate to Him as YH-VH or as Elo-Kim, which would you choose?
Isn’t it true that we are offered that choice every day?
Do we want to have a relationship with Hashem? Are we willing to accept the responsibility that goes with having that relationship?
Do we relate to other as we would like G-D to relate to us?
Do we treat others with Rachamim (mercy)? . . . or do we treat them with Din (judging)?
Is it possible that G-D relates to us as we relate to others? I wonder . . . .
Copyright © 2009 - Heshie Klein, MD
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