Powerful Pull

By Mrs. Shira Smiles

We are all familiar with Rivka Imeinu’s unusual pregnancy, “Vayitrotzetzu habanim bekirbah, and the children struggled within her” (Bereishit 25:22). Rashi comments that the word “vayitrotzetzu” is related to the word “ritza,” to run, indicating that when Rivka Imeinu would pass the study hall of Shem and Ever, Ya’akovAvinu would ‘run’ and toss about as if to go out, and when she would pass a place of idolatry, Eisav would ‘run’ and toss about as if to go out. Why would Rivka Imeinu ever pass a house of idol worship? What relevance can we find here to apply personally?

In his sefer Da’at Torah, Rav Yerucham Levovitz offers a powerful insight into the human psyche. Every person has a propensity to be drawn in a particular direction just as a compass always pivots to align with the north. Often one can go to a public place and will naturally be attracted to see certain types of people or things, while someone else will be attracted to something completely different. Rav Wolbe offers a simple, common example; two people visit someone’s home and one of the visitors is drawn to look at the selection of sefarim on display, while the other visitor finds himself admiring the artwork and sculptures. The Midrash is therefore relating that even in utero, Ya’akov and Eisav had a strong pull towards two very different lifestyles. It seems that what attracts and appeals to each person reflects his values, principles, and morals.

Shlomo HaMelech teaches, “Matzref lakesef ve’kur la’zahav ve’ish le’fi mahalalo, the refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man according to his praise” (Mishlei 27:21). Rabbeinu Yonah explains the comparison; as a refining pot and furnace burn out the dross and the value of the gold and silver becomes known, so too hearing what a person praises is the gauge by which we can discern what he values. The inner refinement of a person is revealed through his choice of words, topics of conversation, and activities. Paying attention to one’s expressions can give a glimpse into his lifestyle tendencies and inclinations.

When a person is drawn in a specific direction there is a magnetic pull that attracts him towards it. He will hear and see things that others don’t notice and will tend to focus on that which he finds important. Rav Scheinerman in Ohel Moshe explains that perhaps this was the case with Eisav. Rivka Imeinu would pass by places that were not obviously known to be houses of idolatry. Only if one entered inside would he see the pagan worship. Eisav nevertheless felt a pull, was drawn to it, and struggled to leave his mother’s womb. We can all start paying more attention to what we see, what we hear, what we are drawn towards, and thus evaluate and recalibrate our priorities, standards, and beliefs as we grow. n

Mrs. Shira Smiles, a lecturer, author, and curriculum developer, is a member of the Mizrachi Speaker Bureau (Mizrachi.org/speakers).

{World Mizrachi Led The Charge In Ensuring A Broad Agreement In The WZO

World Mizrachi has led the process to secure an agreement that will now pave the way for a new organizational coalition for the World Zionist Organization, with the goal of ensuring representation from a broad range of diverse parties and streams.

As part of the agreement, Rabbi Doron Perez, Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi, will serve as a full-term President of the World Zionist Organization, part of a series of measures designed to ensure increased unity and welcome the involvement of voices from all across the Jewish world. World Mizrachi also welcomed the appointments of Gael Grunewald as Deputy Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and Head of the Department of Education, and Roi Abecassis as Deputy Chairman of Keren Kayemeth LeYisrael (KKL) and Head of the Department for Zionist Jewish Identity.

The agreement reached represents a commitment to national responsibility and a goal of creating broad partnerships to confront a growing array of challenges in Israel and across the Diaspora.

World Mizrachi expressed its appreciation to all the coalition parties and called on all to continue to work together in that spirit of unity to jointly advance the interests of the Jewish nation and State of Israel.

“The modern Zionist movement was born out of the very idea of the ingathering of people from all over the world to create a united Jewish nation in our ancient homeland. Specifically in these moments where there are many unprecedented challenges and areas of legitimate debate within our broader Jewish community, we have proven that we are willing and able to put the best interests of the greater Jewish world at the forefront and recognize that love of our people and our covenant of fate must come before anything else,” Rabbi Perez said. “World Mizrachi is deeply proud and grateful to be a significant part of the WZO’s leadership in this period where partnership, mutual trust, and respect as well as a sense of national responsibility are so critical in confronting the many challenges we face. We may indeed be the smallest of nations but we are the largest family.”

World Mizrachi CEO Rabbi Danny Mirvis congratulated Rabbi Perez saying: “This appointment is wonderful news for the Jewish world. Rav Doron Perez will bring a much-needed voice of leadership, vision, and collaboration to the Zionist movement at a crucial hour in Israel’s history. This is one of many great achievements by Mizrachi in the coalition agreement. These have been made possible by the support of tens of thousands of Mizrachi voters in elections around the world, Mizrachi’s reputation as a trusted bridge-builder, and broad recognition of Rav Doron Perez’s personal outstanding leadership qualities.”