Devar/5768/Vayetse
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< Devar | 5768
עברית
English
And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. (Gen 31:6)
This declaration of Jacob our forefather to his wives, shows the maturing and perfection of the man. The start of his path was not straight: he was a bit 'crooked' and even sly. But now we see the man who went through all the events we read about. An honest and straightforward man, who nevertheless says to himself , "perhaps they won't believe me". Therefore he declares to his wives, that indeed he did work for their father with all his might, and didn't even hold back from giving his rest-time to work.
It is brought as halachah that a person must work honestly: Just as the employer is cautioned not to steal the wages of the worker, and not hold them back -- so too, the worker is cautioned not to steal work from the employer, and be a bit idle here and there and spend the entire day in a cursed manner; rather, he must be exacting with himself during work-time. (Laws of Employment 13:10). Further on, And likewise he must work with all his strength; behold, Jacob the righteous said, "with all my power I have served your father". (Laws of Employment 13:11).
One who works, but doesn't give all his effort to his employer, steals from him. And if he is a Torah scholar (or appears religious) he even causes a desecration of God's name. From Jacob's deeds we learn not only that one must work hard at his job, but also must do so with honesty and straightforwardness, even if he doesn't like his employer. It is good to keep these deeds of Jacobs in mind when battling with our evil inclinations and don't want to work.
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