PARSHAS Vayeitzay 5785
We Are Not Survivors
Shifra Yachnes
Co-Director,
SPARK
My recent trip to Israel was one of the most profound experiences of my life. Among the many moments that stirred my soul, the words of Birthright education leader Dr. Zohar Raviv stood out as a lens through which I now see our collective history. He explained that our tragedies and persecution are not our story; they are interruptions to our story. Our story is what we choose to do in response to the interruptions! Our story is our resilience, our thriving, and our innovation. That is what tells the story of the Jewish people. We are not survivors, we thrive!
This idea resonated deeply as I stood on the soil of our homeland, a land that has been both a witness to Jewish suffering and a testament to our perseverance. This theme of resilience—transforming interruptions into triumphs—is echoed in this week’s Torah portion, Vayeitzay.
We follow Yaakov, our forefather, forced to flee his home while being pursued by his brother Esav. Alone, uncertain, and vulnerable, Yaakov begins a journey that would define not just his life but the destiny of the Jewish people. At a pivotal point of his journey, he sleeps with a stone for a pillow and dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending.
Ramban (Nachmanides) offers a profound interpretation of this dream. The ladder symbolizes the constant interaction between the spiritual and physical worlds, showing how our human actions can have a profound impact in the spiritual world and how they are deeply connected.
Every physical action in this world can be elevated and made into a beautiful spiritual experience if we choose to connect to the divine within it. This message is deeply tied to our collective story of resilience. Even in exile or hardship, Yaakov is reminded of his unbroken connection with God and how his struggles possess the potential for his ultimate transformation and elevation.
Yaakov’s journey mirrors the Jewish people’s history: though filled with challenges and interruptions, the true story lies in the upward climb. The dream depicts what we have been doing for millenia: In the face of destruction and tremendous cruelty, we bring light, holiness and kindness. We infuse our every human experience with Godliness and connect it to heaven. That is our story!
In Israel, I saw this light everywhere. From groundbreaking technology to Torah study and acts of kindness, the Jewish people have not just survived; we have thrived. We are living proof of the ladder in Yaakov’s dream—a connection that reaches heaven, built by a people determined to ascend, no matter the obstacles.
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