The quote "Man proposes and G-D disposes" has great meaning.
Nobody in this world can justly claim that he has the power to shape the destiny of others. As a matter of fact, one cannot say, unequivocally, that by his own plans and prowess he can, absolutely, determine his own future. We can try to do what we can. There is no guarantee of our actions. But try, we must, for that is the calling of mankind.
This weeks Torah reading, Vayeche, relates that when Jacob meets with his long lost son Joseph, and is introduced to his sons Efrayim and Menashe for the first time, he questions their identity and asks Joseph, "מי אלה," "Who are these youngsters?"kk
I sense that Jacob really knew who the children were and surely did not question their identity. What I he really wanted to ascertain was what type of children they are. Are they a Blessing to the family? After all, they were brought up in a strange country, with foreign ideas and beliefs. Jacob was afraid that they became so assimilated that they lost all their identity as בני יעקב ובני ישראל. That is what he was questioning.
Jacob's use of the phrase מי אלה was significant, for these words together form the word אלקים, reflecting upon Hashem as our G-D, as our Judge, as our Creator, and the One who Guides our destiny. Jacob wanted assurance that his grandsons possessed this feeling of G-Dliness before he bestowed his blessings upon them.
Joseph replies, "They are my sons, אשר נתן לי אלוקים, whom G-D has given me. They have maintained their family identity. Fear not Father Jacob, they are your children."
These are critical times for עם ישראל and ארץ ישראל and just as Jacob was worried about his grandchildren and the affect that the Galut had upon them, we, in a like sense, must make sure, with all our energies and resources, to see that our children receive the best Torah education, and are nurtured with love and understanding to carry the banner od Judaism, proudly, into the next generation.
Santayana wrote in "The last Puritan”; "Modern man is an adventure. He is lured much more by what he expects to find rather by what he has already found".
As Jews, my mind is focused on the statement by רבי עקיבה
הכל צפוי והרשות נתונה
"All is foreseen, yet freedom of choice is granted"
This idea seems to imply that although all of man's findings and discoveries are known to Hashem, they remain unknown to man, so that he will be free to be moved by his curiosity to achieve greater heights in his Jewish life.
This was Jacob's concern as his days were numbered. He wanted to know that his children and grandchildren will continue to climb the
Jacob was able to bless his children knowing that they were together and will carry on proudly his way of life to succeed in all life’s adventures. Father Jacob went to Olam Ha’emet with a heart full of love and hope for all generations to come.
We need to remember that תתן אמת ליעקב, that Father Jacob stands for absolute truth, a truth that bespeaks and reflects that Hashem dwells in our midst and we are always a part of Him as He is always a part of our lives. It matters not where we dwell, it only matters that Hashem dwells within all of us.
No comments:
Post a Comment