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D''vrei Mordechai

by Reb Mordechai Rosen z"l
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What does Hashem Elokecha ask from you, but to fear Hashem Elokecha and to walk in His ways. (Devorim, Perek Yud, Pasuk Yud Gimmel)

PARSHAS VAYETZE

"VaAnochi Lo Yadati" (Perek Chof Ches Pasuk Tes Zayin). The Chumash tells us that when Yaakov left his father’s house in Beer Sheva, he spent the first night "BaMakom", in the place. Rashi says that this place was Har Hamoriah.

As Yaakov slept that night, he dreamt of a ladder with Malachim on one side going up and Malachim on the other side coming down. As the dream continues Hashem appears to Yaakov and tells him that the land on which he walks will be given to his children and that Hashem will always be with him. When Yaakov wakes up he realizes what a holy place this is and says "Anochi Lo Yadati", I did not know this was a Holy spot, had I known I would not have slept here.

In the Sefer the Yisah Bracha, Reb Shaul, the Moditzer Rebbe, explains that the words "Anochi" and "Lo" are remazim to the Aseret Hadibros. "Anochi" is a remez to "Anochi Hashem Elokecha" and the word "Lo" is a remez to "Lo Yiheye Lecha Elohim Acharim." The Medrash Rabbah tells us that the word "Soolam", ladder, is gematria Sinai. One can then say that this whole incident, the dream with the ladder and Hashem appearing to Yaakov is a remez to Kabalas HaTorah.

"Soolam" is also gematria "Chesed" and "Din". The word "Anochi" is a remez to Chesed. We know that the name Hashem is a name of Chesed. The word "Lo" is a remez to Din - You shall not have any other Gods, is Din.

Avraham Avinu lived his life in the pursuit of Chesed. Yitzchak Avinu lived his life in the pursuit of Din. Yaakov spent his whole life working to combine both Din and Chesed into one. The words "Anochi Lo Yadati" are gematria Torah. When we are able to understand and live a life that combines both Din and Chesed, then we have will have truly been Mekabel the Torah that was given to us on Har Sinai.



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