25 Nov VAYEITZEI: CALMNESS WITH EMUNAH

Reb Chaim Kanievsky
zt’l said that when
he was seventeen,
his father and the
Chazon Ish zt’l began
looking for a shidduch
for him. He ended up
marrying the daughter
of Reb Eliyashiv zt’l

when he was twenty-
three, and his kallah

was seventeen years
old. Reb Chaim said
that when he began
shidduchim, his bashert
was only twelve years
old. This story is a reminder that one doesn’t
have to worry. When the right time arrives,
it will be. When a person has emunah and
bitachon, he lives a tranquil life, without
worries.
When the time came for Yaakov to marry
Rochel, Lavan tricked Yaakov Avinu. It states
(29:25) “It came to pass in the morning, and
behold she was Leah!” But the pasuk doesn’t
state that Yaakov was angry at Lavan. He
complained and asked him why he tricked
him, as it states “[Yaakov] said to Lavan,
‘What is this that you have done to me? Did
I not work with you for Rachel? Why have
you deceived me?’” but it doesn’t state that he
became angry with Lavan. He knew this was

from heaven, so why would he become angry?
And indeed, it was from Hashem, and many
good things came from it. Yaakov suspected
Lavan might switch Rachel, so he gave
her simanim. When Leah was taken in her
place, Rachel, concerned that Leah would be
embarrassed, revealed the simanim to her.
Rachel was blessed with children because of
this kind, selfless deed, as it states (30:22)
“Hashem remembered Rachel, and Hashem
hearkened to her, and He opened her womb.”
Rashi writes that Hashem remembered the
merit that Rachel gave the simanim to her
sister.
Also, when the Yidden went to exile by the
churban Beis HaMikdash, they stopped to
daven at Rachel’s kever (see Yirmiyahu
31:14 16). Rachel davened in heaven, and her
tefillos were answered. The Jewish nation was
promised that they would yet return to Eretz
Yisrael, as it states (Yirmiyahu 31:16) “The
children shall return to their border.”
Metzudas Dovid (Yirmiyahu 31:15) writes,
“Hashem told Rachel, ‘Now you will be
rewarded for your good deed, that you gave
the simanim to your sister. Your children will
return from enemy land.”
Also, the Midrash (Agadah) says, “The Avos
and the Imahos went to appease Hakadosh
Baruch Hu [to atone for] Menashe’s sin that

he put an idol in the Beis HaMikdash. Hashem
didn’t accept their pleas. Rachel came before
Hashem and said, “Ribono Shel Olam, who
has more compassion, You or human beings?
Obviously, Your compassion is greater. Now,
behold, I brought in a tzarah (second wife) into
my home. Yaakov worked for my father solely
for me, and when it was time for my turn, they
brought in my sister instead. Not only was I
silent, but I also gave her the simanim. You
should do the same. If Your children brought
a tzarah (an idol) into Your home, be silent for
them.” Hashem replied, ‘You spoke correctly.
You will be rewarded because you gave your
sister the simanim.’”
There is another tremendous benefit in Yaakov
Avinu marrying Leah. This marriage brought
forth many shevatim. So, indeed, there was
no reason to be angry. Yaakov had emunah
that everything was for the good, including
that which initially seemed bad. And with this
emunah, Yaakov was able to overcome his
anger.
In contrast, we find that Yaakov did become
angry at Rachel when she said (30:1) “Give me
children, and if not, I am dead.” “And Yaakov
became angry with Rachel, and he said, “Am
I instead of Hashem, Who has withheld from
you the fruit of the womb?
It seems strange that Yaakov didn’t become
angry at Lavan, but when it came to Rochel,

he did get angry. However, if we internalize
the lesson above, it is understood why Yaakov
acted this way. Yaakov knew that Lavan’s
actions were nothing but a shlichus from
Hashem and that something good would come
from them. But when Rachel Imeinu cried
to him that she wanted children, he became
angry at her to rebuke her and teach her that
she should believe that everything is from
Hashem, and everything is for the good.
Imrei Pinchas (Taharas HaMiddos 29) writes
in the name of Reb Refael of Barshid zt’l, “A
counsel to be saved from anger is to believe
in hashgachah pratis… and that everything
is for the person’s good… He should believe
with emunah sheleimah that everything is for
his good, and then he won’t become angry at
any person.