Messages From A
Lost Israeli #13

"Be careful what you wish for" - a common phrase. But we do not always realize how our words may come true. We have to be careful of our tongue, so that we do not make comments which we will regret.

Jacob learns this lesson very harshly in this week's parsha. After living somewhat peacefully with his Uncle Laban in Haran for quite some time, Jacob realizes, with God's help, that he must return to his homeland with his family. Laban chases after him, but God warns him not to do good nor bad to Jacob. So, Laban only asks of him, "Why did you take my idols?" Jacob responds that he only wanted to return to his homeland, and then to assure his uncle of his innocence, he states, chapter 31, verse 32:

"But anyone with whom you find your gods shall not remain alive"

However, he does not realize that Rachel had taken the statues from her father, as the verse concludes:

"but Jacob did not know that Rachel stole them"

There are many commentaries and interpretations about this scene. The JPS Tanach discusses how this is a common penalty for a thief in this time period. Rashi, however, takes this one step further:

"And from this exact curse Rachel dies on the path [before arriving in Hebron]"

Jacob seems to have decreed the death sentence for his beloved wife. He did not realize the power of his words, and how they affected those most dear to him.

This Wednesday, Nativ discussed a video regarding peace in the Middle East. My discussion group mentioned how racist comments, which may be said in jest, could have deep implications behind them. When either nationality, jokingly or seriously, says "they should all be thrown into the sea", we are making a comment that God forbid should ever occur. However, by making those comments, we are initiating a curse - that we hope for the extermination of an entire nation. God forbid that curse, vocalized by either side, should ever become a reality.

In our daily conversations with people, we must be careful what we say about one another. I remember one time, as a kid, I wanted the Toronto Blue Jays to win a game so badly, that I said, I hope the star player (I cannot remember who it was now) of the other team becomes injured so he can not play. My Abba then taught me this lesson - that you should never wish terrible things upon others, for your words may come true. So instead, I hoped that the "enemy" all-star was about to get married, or have a child, and therefore would have to miss the game!

We must be cautious of what we say about others, even our enemies - for if our comments become true, then what kind of people are we? We must try to learn from the lesson of Jacob's tragic-laden and ill-thought out words and be careful that we do not make the same mistake.