Parashat Vayetze tells the story of Yaakov’s experiences in Charan, where he lives for twenty years while escaping the vengeance of his brother. Yaakov’s life changes drastically upon arriving in Charan. After having spent his early years as “a simple man, a tent dweller” (25:27), which Chazal explain as a reference to devoted Torah study, Yaakov now spends twenty years begetting and raising children, and amassing a fortune working for his uncle and father-in-law, Lavan. Yaakov left the world of serene and focused learning, and now finds himself with a large family and an ever growing commercial enterprise.
When considering this transition in Yaakov’s life which occurs over the course of Parashat Vayetze, it is worth noting the theme of angelic revelation that brackets this parasha. At the beginning of this parasha, we read of Yaakov’s famous dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder that extended to the heavens. The parasha concludes with Yaakov’s safe and ultimately peaceful departure from his uncle, whereupon he once again encounters angels: “And Yaakov went along his way, and angels of God came upon him…” (32:1). Interestingly enough, the story of Yaakov’s experiences in Charan ends the same way it began: with the revelation of angels.
The Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein shelit”a (as recorded by a student – http://vbm-torah.org/archive/sichot67/07-67vayetze.htm), suggested that these two revelations might point to the spiritual consistency Yaakov maintained despite the fundamental changes his life underwent. Yaakov lived in the world of dreams and ideals during his youthful, bachelor years – and he succeeded in maintaining that idealistic energy and spirit throughout the twenty years he spend as a father of twelve young children and hard-working shepherd. As Rav Lichtenstein commented:
Nevertheless, even at the end of the parasha, Yaakov has not lost his ability to see angels… Yaakov held onto his dreams even after maturing, marrying and accepting the burden of providing for a family. He retained his religious personality even in the face of his new life and new responsibilities. Yaakov Avinu overcame the tremendous challenge of maintaining his ability to dream and maintaining the proper perspective throughout his trials and tribulations. Therefore, Yaakov met angels when he left Charan.
Rav Lichtenstein added that every Torah Jew must take example from our patriarch and never allow the harsh, complex realities of life dull his spiritual senses and lead him to compromise his idealism and aspirations:
This challenge confronts each of us, as well. As we accumulate responsibilities, we too must retain our ability to see angels. Moving towards a more practically-oriented life must not blind our focus on Torah and avodat Hashem… The burdens of providing for one’s family shouldn’t break one’s dreams.
Like Yaakov, every individual must sustain the “dreams” and idealism of youth even while confronting the less-than-ideal realities of adulthood, and ensure that the “angels” remain with him all throughout, at every stage along the journey through life.