21 Nov PARASHAT VAYESEH: THE ENDURING IMPACT OF OUR ACTIONS

The opening verse
of Parashat Vayeseh
tells, “Va’yeseh
Yaakob Mi’Be’er
Sheba Va’yelech
Harana” – “Yakaob left from Be’er Sheba,
and he went to Haran.” Rashi notes that
the first half of this verse – “Yaakob left
from Be’er Sheba” – seems redundant.
After all, the Torah is now going to tell us
of Yaakob’s experiences after leaving and
heading to Haran, and we already know
that he had been living in Be’er Sheba.
There thus seems to be no reason for the
Torah to inform us that Yaakob left from
Be’er Sheba.
Rashi answers by stating, “This teaches
that a righteous people’s departure from a
place makes an impression…” The Torah
mentioned that Yaakob left Be’er Sheba
to emphasize that his departure “made an
impression.”
The standard understanding of Rashi’s
comment is that a Sadik’s departure leaves
a void that is palpably felt. A city, or a
community, is simply not the same once
a righteous person leaves. Significantly,

this point is made specifically about
Yaakob, who is described earlier (25:27)
as a “Yosheb Ohalim” – “dweller of tents,”
referring to his diligent engagement in
Torah learning. Yaakob was not a public
figure. He did not give speeches or teach
students. He spent his time devotedly
engrossed in his studies. Nevertheless,
his departure was discernibly felt,
because his presence infused the town
with an element of sanctity that was then
lost when he left.
There is, however, also a different
understanding of Rashi’s comment. The
scholars of Kabbalah teach the concept
of “Reshimu” – the spiritual impact of a
person’s actions which endures forever in
that location. Every Misva we perform
leaves an indelible impression upon the
place where we fulfilled it. If we learn
Torah in a certain location, the sanctity of
our Torah learning remains in that place
for all eternity. This is why Halacha urges
one who, for whatever reason, is unable
to pray with a Minyan to nevertheless
pray in a synagogue. Even though he will
be praying privately, it is far preferable to

pray in a synagogue,
a place infused with
the Kedusha of the
countless prayers
recited and words
of Torah spoken
there.
This, then, might
be the meaning of
Rashi’s comment,
that a Sadik’s
departure “Oseh
Roshem” – “makes
an impression.” Even after he leaves, the
spiritual impact of his many good deeds
remains and continues to benefit the
residents of his town.
Conversely, the sins we commit have a
harmful spiritual impact that endures
forever. Even if nobody witnesses the
forbidden act, its spiritual effects make
an impression that will have detrimental
consequences many years later. For this
reason, Rav Haim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-
1868) writes that if one sees two people
fighting in the street, he should ensure not
to walk on that side of the street where

the fight took place. Few sins are more
grievous and spiritually harmful than
anger and fighting, and so when two
people quarrel, they leave an especially
detrimental impact upon that spot – to the
point where even innocent, uninvolved
passersby are negatively affected.
Let us always remember that each and
every action we perform has a profound
spiritual impact, yielding consequences
for many years into the future. This
awareness should motivate us to always
strive to perform Misvot and avoid
wrongdoing of any kind.