In Parshas Vayeitzei, Yaakov Avinu (our forefather Yaakov) finally completes the seven years of work for Lavan, earning him Rachel for marriage. He turns to Lavan and says:
“וַיֹּאמֶר יַעֲקֹב אֶל לָבָן הָבָה אֶת אִשְׁתִּי כִּי מָלְאוּ יָמָי וְאָבוֹאָה אֵלֶיהָ”
Yaakov said to Lavan, “Give me my wife because my time is complete, and let me come to her.”
Bereishit 29:21
Rashi points out that Yaakov was 84 years old at this point, still unmarried, and still needing to father the Twelve Shevatim (tribes). This fact only sharpens our question: Why did Yaakov spend 14 years learning in the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever if he had so much to do in his lifetime and he was already aged?
Why Wait?
Those 14 years delayed him significantly. Do the math: Yaakov left Be’er Sheva at age 63, he learned in Yeshiva for 14 years → 77, then worked for Lavan for 7 years → 84. Had he skipped those 14 years, he could have married at 70. So why the “delay”?
The Chida quotes his grandfather, who brings a Medrash: When Elifaz, Esav’s son, was sent to kill Yaakov, he found Yaakov and was about to kill him. Yaakov said: “Take all my possessions. A poor man is like dead.” Elifaz did exactly that. He kept Yaakov alive and took all his possessions, including the clothes on his back.
Robbed!
Left with nothing, Yaakov hid in a river for modesty until a traveler came for a swim in that same river and drowned. Yaakov took the man’s clothing, but fearing being accused of murder, he sought safety in Yeshivat Shem Va’ever, staying hidden there for 14 years until the danger passed and the incident faded.
What’s the deeper purpose of those 14 years? When Yitzchak was giving the blessings in last week’s parsha, he could not see well so he instead felt around to determine who was standing in front of him. While feeling Yaakov, Yitzchak commented:
“וַיִּגַּשׁ יַעֲקֹב אֶל יִצְחָק אָבִיו וַיְמֻשֵּׁהוּ וַיֹּאמֶר הַקֹּל קוֹל יַעֲקֹב וְהַיָּדַיִם יְדֵי עֵשָׂו”
“Yaakov approached his father Yitzchak, and he felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Yaakov, but the hands are the hands of Eisav.”
Bereshit 27:22
Jewish Strength
This Pasuk is a lesson for us and teaches that our strength comes not from weapons or force. Our strength is the protection we get when we learn Torah, pray, and do mitzvot.
The Chofetz Chaim highlights that the word “הַקֹּל”, hakol is spelled without a vav (‘ו) which can translate to cold or weakened. It’s only when “קוֹל יַעֲקֹב” (with a vav) is strong, meaning, there is a lot of Torah learning, prayers and mitzvot, do the hands of Eisav weaken.
Yaakov was running for his life from Eisav. To survive, he needed maximal spiritual firepower. That meant that those 14 years in Yeshivat Shem V’ever were not a detour, they were life-saving ammunition. This explains why Rashi says Yaakov “never lay down to sleep” during those 14 years. He was pouring every ounce of strength into Torah, tefillah, and avodah.
Important Takeaway
In today’s world, we face our own versions of Eisav and Lavan. We’re faced with spiritual confusion, cultural temptations and nonstop pressure from every direction to do wrong. And just like in Yaakov’s time, we must shield ourselves. Our shield and our strength come from the same unshakable pillars: Torah, Tefillah, Mitzvot.
Spiritual preparation is not a detour. It’s the mission itself. Just like it was for Yaakov.
Written by RL Breski; based on the teachings of Rabbi D. Zahn
