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From Behind The Curtain: Vayeitzei: What, "Thia" Again! |
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Written by Heshie HaGibbor
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 Last week, I pointed out that there was a seemingly extra word mentioned three times in the parsha – the word “zeh” meaning “this.” (see: From Behind The Curtain: Toledot: What is
"This" For?)
In this week’s parsha, (Genesis 28:20), Yakov takes a neder (a vow) saying, “If G-D will be with me, and He will guard me – baderech hazeh - on this path that I am going . . .”
What did Yakov gain by adding the word hazeh (“this”)?
He could have said, “If G-D will be with me, and He will guard me on the path that I am going . . .” What is added by the word “zeh”, meaning “this?”
Once again, the word zeh is numerically (in gematria) equal to 12, which alludes to the twelve tribes.
Yakov’s vow is, “If G-D will be with me, and He will guard me – baderech hazeh – on this path that I am going - to father and nurture the twelve tribes . . .”
The added word zeh is a reference to the reason for his journey – the twelve tribes.
The twelve shefatim (tribes) are following us along as the story of the Avos (the Patriarchs) and the creation of Klal Yisrael (the Jewish Nation) unfolds.
There are no extra words in the Torah. Frequently, there are words with hidden meanings. May we all be zocheh (merit) to be able to discern those meanings and to see the hand of G-D in all of life’s events, and at all times.
Copyright © 2009 - Heshie Klein, MD
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