Chanukah and Vayishlach: the ultimate in hashgacha pratis ( divine providence)

In keeping with the theme of part 1, Kislev as a month of miracles, power, victory and redemption, let's take a look at another event in the life of Yaakov Avinu, an event that occurred in this week's Torah portion.

At night, Yaakov was preparing for the encounter with his brother. He brought his two wives, two maids, his eleven children and everything he owned across the river, Yabok. After bringing everyone accross the river, the Torah tell us that he was left alone. Rashi explains that this means  that he forgot small bottles and returned for  them. Many commentators explain that the reason he did so was because tzadikim are very careful with their possessions.The Torah also explains that money comes to them with difficulty, as they are honest and do not mislead anyone. Also when they have to earn money, it takes away from their Torah study.

We can learn from here that we need to be careful with our time, both in business, in praying and learning. We need to be honest and trustworthy in all our business dealings. From here we can learn some practical lessons as well: when you lock up your business or house, double check to see that is was locked properly. Also before you leave a hotel room, check again that you have all your possessions.

Now for the rest of the story. A couple of years ago while learning this week's Torah portion, I saw the following commentary in Me'am Lo'ez from a midrash.

When Yaakov left his father's house heading toward Lavan, the sun abruptly set and he took 12 stones and placed them under his head. That night the stones became one large stone and in the morning Yaakov made a monument there. By divine providence he found a bottle of oil and poured it over the monument (see last week's Torah portion Vayeitze). After he emptied the bottle, it automatically filled up. He realized that this was not an ordinary bottle and took it with him.

Through divine inspiration, Yaakov realized that the oil from this same bottle would be used to annoint the tabernacle and its vessels, the alter, Aaron, the high priest, and his sons. It was the bottle used by Elijah to perform the miracle for the woman of Tzarephat, where the bottle produced an inexhaustible supply of oil until the rains came. Also Elisha repeated a similar miracle for the
widow of the prophet Ovadiah and her two children.

That takes us to our Torah portion over 20 years later: this is the bottle that the midrash explains Yaakov returned for, this little bottle of precious miracle oil. At night, while he was alone on the other side of the river, an angel appeared before Yaakov and an all night fight ensued. Yaakov was injured in the thigh, which caused him to limp, but he prevailed and thus received a blessing from the angel. The angel told yaakov that his name will be changed from Yaakov to Yisroel, since he fought with G-d and man and has prevailed.

I always wondered if there could be a connection between this bottle and Chanukah, just today i saw another midrash:

God said to Ya'akov, "For endangering yourself for a small container, I Myself will repay your children with a small container to the Chashmonaim [at the time of Chanukah]." (Midrash Tzeidah LaDerech)

So what is that small container that was given to the Chashmonaim? you guessed it, the little bottle of oil with the seal of the priest, which was only intended to last one day and lasted eight.

Was it the same bottle? Was all this a coincidence, happenstance or hashgacha pratis, divine providence? You be the judge.

Aside from that what is the connection that the midrash makes between Yaakov endangering himself and the gift to the Chashmonaim?

The answer could be mesirus nefesh, self sacrifice, that was Yaakov's connection. His whole life examplified mesirus nefesh, from getting the birth right to living with Lavan, confronting Eisav and fighting with an angel, even going back for a small jug. The is found true of the Chashmonaim, who stood for Torah and risked their lives., but in the end they were victorious.

Nothing is an accident, we as Jews have a purpose and a mission, to change the world. We were give the ability and a powerful neshama to succeed in this mission, we need to start right where we are even if it takes a little self sacrifice.

May we see the final redemption, now.

Change the world
do one more mitzvah
learn a little more torah
love one another
l'chaim, l'chaim
y. yaakov ephraim