A while back someone asked me what I like to do with my free time, and it took me a second to come up with an answer that was simply about me. Before having kids, I loved going on long walks, cooking, reading a book (often in just a day), learning, and going to movies. Since having kids, I’ve read three books in five years, I rarely cook something other than the necessary dinner cooking, and I can count on one hand the number of movies I’ve seen in a theater since Shiri was born. And I don’t remember the last time I stayed awake through a movie at home. About the only thing I still do for me alone anymore is long walks. Those are essential.
When the world around us gets busy, and life starts to consume us, sometimes we have to let go of pieces of ourselves in order to continue growing. Our Torah portion this week, Parshat Vayishlach, reminds us of what it might be like to live fully as yourself, even as the world around you is changing. Jacob is preparing to meet his brother Esau after their fallout and struggles in his dream with the angel who changes his name to Israel. The brothers meet and part in peace, and the story continues with the birth of more sons to Jacob and the different ways in which his children misbehave. But before all the fun begins, Jacob has a realization about his character while living with Laban.
In Chapter 32, verse 5 we read Jacob’s message to his brother: “To my lord Esau, thus says your servant Jacob: I stayed with Laban and remained until now.” In Hebrew, Jacob uses the word garti, as in “I lived there.” Rashi, the great Medieval commentator, reminds us that garti is actually an anagram of taryag, the numerical value of 613 used to represent the 613 commandments in the Torah. Rashi extends this by teaching that Jacob’s words actually mean “I stayed with Laban, but maintained my integrity; I was not corrupted by him.”
There are so many ways in which our interactions in the world are influenced by those around us. From the ways in which we behave day to day to the hobbies we take on, we are influenced by our status in life, and the relationships in which we find ourselves. When we’re around people who make bad choices, we’re often more likely to do the same. But, when we surround ourselves with positive role models, we may follow suit.
What can be difficult is choosing to do the right thing, even when depravity seems to surround us. As Hillel teaches in Pirkei Avot, “In a place where there are no people, strive to be a person.” May we all be like Jacob, hold true to ourselves, our values, our core beliefs, and may we help others to shine out in the world around us.
