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CHASSIDISHE STORY ON THE PARSHA
פרשת ויצא
Parshas Vayeitzei
ויקח מאבני המקום וישם מראשותיו (ויצא כח:יא)
He took from the stones of the place which he arranged around his head.A Chassid once asked by Reb Yechezkal of Kozmir zt’’l how he could protect himself since he was leaving the Beis Medrash, where he studied Torah all day and was entering the workforce. He was afraid to be enslaved to work, which could lead him off the right path.
Reb Yechezkal of Kozmir answered him with the Rashi on ויקח מאבני המקום וישם מראשותיו – Yakov Avinu placed stones around his head to protect himself from animals. What did Yakov accomplish by placing stones around his head when the rest of his body was fully exposed?
It’s compared to a parable of a bird that fell into the mud and sank deeply inside. While his wings were still outside, he could still free himself. If his wings were stuck in the mud, his head was still outside; he could call for help. But if his head already sank, then the bird is lost.
So, too, with Yakov. When he left for Charan, he made himself a protection for his head, for since the head is protected, he can still call for help.
“The same is with you,” Reb Yechezkal advised his Chassid. “When you enter the world of commerce, ensure your head remains clean. Your Emunah – faith should stay intact, and then you will be saved from the dangers of the workforce.”
Filed under Parshas Vayeitzei