Making sense of the sedra: Vayeitzei

A management consultant once visited a thriving company and asked the CEO which of his executives was the most indispensable. The CEO surprised him by pointing to a quiet, middle-aged woman who worked in a corner cubicle. “She’s not our top strategist,” he explained, “nor our most senior manager. But when she’s away, the whole building feels it. She remembers everyone’s birthday, notices when someone is struggling, and somehow keeps the mood hopeful when projects get tough. When she’s gone, productivity drops – not because of her job description, but because of her presence.” Her impact, hidden in plain sight among star performers, showed that influence isn’t about titles or talent; it’s about the unique light a person brings simply by being who they are.

“Yaakov departed from Be’er Sheva and went to Charan.” (Bereishit 28:10)

Given we already know where Yaakov was leaving from, why doesn’t the Torah simply tell us in this week’s parsha, Vayeitzei, where he was going? Rashi answers that the Torah is emphasising the axiom that when a tzaddik (righteous individual) leaves a place, his absence creates a void felt by those remaining behind.

If Avraham and Yitzchak also undertook multiple travels, why is there no similar statement about the impact that their respective departures had on the populace?

The Kli Yakar answers that the impact of Yaakov’s departure was somewhat unique and surprising, because when Avraham and Yitzchak moved from place to the place, their families and students came with them, thus leaving no religious role models behind. Of course, given such a spiritual exodus, their absence was felt by those who remained behind.

But when Yaakov fled, his parents – both great tzaddikim – remained behind. One might have reasoned, therefore, that in such circumstances the impact of the departure of yet another tzaddik would be negligible. Thus, suggests the Kli Yakar, our sages emphasise that Yaakov’s greatness was so extraordinary that despite the continued presence of Yitzchak and Rivka, his absence was still noticeable.

Yaakov’s greatness was so extraordinary that despite the continued presence of Yitzchak and Rivka, his absence was still noticeable.

Very often we fall into the trap of thinking that we can only have an impact when there is nobody else around doing good work. However, when we find ourselves amongst others of stature, possibly greater than ourselves, we erroneously shift the responsibility over to those deemed more equipped than us and release ourselves of any and all accountability to influence our surroundings.

The void felt by Yaakov’s departure teaches us that no matter how thriving a neighbourhood we live in, there is always more to be done and there are ways for everyone to make a difference. Like Yaakov before us, we all have the potential to leave a lasting and unique impact.

Rabbi Brendan Stern is at Hendon United Synagogue