This week’s Parsha is Parshat Vayeitzei. This parsha goes over the life of Yaakov after fleeing Israel to escape his brother Esav, who had his birthright taken by Yaakov.
Yaakov stayed with his uncle Lavan for 20 years. Throughout those years, Yaakov was tricked, cheated, and deceived time and time again by Lavan. In response, Yaakov also deceived Lavan. When Hashem told Yaakov that it was time to leave, he secretly fled when Lavan went to shear his sheep.
How can it be possible that Yaakov, one of our forefathers, would result to subterfuge and trickery. Surely, he should have been above deceiving his own uncle.
Yaakov’s behavior teaches us an important lesson. When others are attempting to cheat or deceive us, we sometimes need to mimic their behavior as to not get left behind in the dust. Yaakov is a perfect example of this idea: He tricked Lavan, but he always retained the moral high ground.
In today’s world, many people care little for others and are willing to use any means necessary to get by. We should learn from Yaakov and use deception as a tool to help us survive in this cutthroat world while retaining our morals.
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
By: Samantha Ebner (9th grade)