Only Passing Through2 min read

One of the foundational ideas of Judaism is that this lifetime is merely a preparation for the next, “This world is a hallway before the ballroom of the World to Come”. We are tasked with focusing our energies on connecting with Hashem through His Torah and the dictates of halacha, allowing them to elevate our lives and transform them into vessels for holiness.

But it is easier said than done. This world is replete with forces that seek to drag us down and sully our connection to a world beyond. Physical desires, mundane responsibilities, and the stresses of daily life get in the way of our spiritual pursuit and make it difficult to maintain an elevated awareness of our divine mission. This, too, is part of the plan – enabling us to earn the tremendous reward Hashem has in store for those that make the right choices, despite how difficult it is to do so. We are taught that Hashem doesn’t give a person a test that he can’t handle. Our situation in life is tailor-made for our unique capability to overcome the particular difficulties with which we are faced and to use them as stepping stones to loftier modes of existence. No matter what yetzer hara, struggle, trauma or difficulty we may face, each and every Jew has the ability to perform what the tzaddikim called “iskafya”, suppression – to subdue and obliterate the obstacles that lie in his or her way to personal realization and connection with our Father in heaven.

But there is a higher level as well. In addition to “iskafya”, the tzaddikim taught of an even greater strategy when it comes to spiritual, emotional, and physical difficulties: “ishapcha”, transformation. Chazal explain that when the Torah teaches that we must serve Hashem “b’chol levavcha”, with all of our heart, it means “b’shnei yitzrecha”, with both the yetzer tov and the yetzer hara. It is within the Jew’s power not only to subdue the negative forces in his life but to transform them by elevating them to the realms of holiness. When we channel our impure passions into a burning love for Hashem and desire to connect with Him or utilize mistakes of the past to learn valuable lessons for the future, we are serving Hashem with all elements of our lives – even those that stem in the negative realm of the yetzer hara. The tzaddikim attain this lofty level of avodas Hashem by constantly reminding themselves of their mission in this fleeting world, never for a second losing touch with the urgency of their task and the clarity necessary to emerge successful. After many years of maintaining this awareness, they succeed in transforming the yetzar hara and elevating it to the side of kedusha.

In this week’s parsha, Yaakov avinu sends a message to Eisav, saying, “Im Lavan garti v’eichar ad atah”, “I dwelt with Lavan and remained until now.” The Noam Elimelech sees a deeper meaning. The word Lavan, while referring to Yaakov’s uncle, can be translated as “white”, connoting purity. When switched around, its letters spell the word “naval”, “repulsive”.

“Im Lavan”: Yaakov tells Eisav, “I have succeeded in transforming the yetzer hara from ‘naval’ to ‘lavan’, from impure negativity to a holy force”. “Garti”: “The way I accomplished this was by focusing on my mission, always reminding myself that I am merely sojourning in this life – just passing through.” “V’eichar ad atah”: “This process was a long one, spanning many years of hard work and sacrifice.”

Here’s to a lifetime of transformation! Let’s go!