Celebrate Your Appreciation

When we go somewhere, we know where we leave from. In the case of Yaakov Avinu, however, in this week's Parsha, the pasuk tells us first that he left B'er Sheva and then that he went to Charan! What is the significance in telling us that Yaakov left B'er Sheva?

Rashi tells us that the Torah emphasizes how Yaakov's leaving was more than a geographic relocation, but it also left B'er Sheva empty, deprived of the splendor that Yaakov provided.

The sad part of the story is how they only realized this after he left. Shlomo HaMelech says in one place that "He who found a wife has found goodness" (Mishlei 18:22). In another place, however, he says "And I find more bitter than death, the woman"(Koheles 7:26). The difference is in the tense of the statement. The Vilna Gaon explains that according to human nature the first pasuk speaks in the past tense- how things were good. The second is in the present, how one is constantly reminded of the bad.

In the spirit of giving thanks, let us not take anything for granted. Rather, let us recognize and outwardly appreciate all the good we have in our lives. Shabbat Shalom.