Parshat Vayeitzei: A Benzene-Like Journey

By TALIE LEWIS

I apologize to all of the non-science minds for the following metaphor, but in organic chemistry, Benzene (shown above) is an exceptionally stable compound. This stability comes from tiny particles moving along a circular path inside of its outer boundary and makes it difficult to break the bonds (represented by each line of the hexagon) that hold benzene together. Like organic chemists, we equate stability with strength and so we spend much of our time attempting to establish a place for ourselves, in which we feel comfortable and safe. The easiest way to establish such a place is to stay where we feel most comfortable and grow within those confines. The harder way is to leave this comfort zone, embark on a journey and eventually find a new place to establish ourselves.

Parshat Vayeitzei is the story of Jacob’s journey. It begins with his departure from Be’er-sheva, and leads into his journey to Haran. Upon his arrival in Haran, chapter 28: verse 11 states “and he [Jacob] was impressed by the place.” The expression “was impressed” (vayifga) demonstrates a passive experience. Haran is where God appeared to Jacob and made an impression on him.  Jacob was affected by Haran, and so Haran, the place, is identified as the active player. He then continues along his journey and settles down in Lavan’s house. Initially, he is a foreigner, but eventually, he builds a life for himself there. This building process was certainly not a smooth one, however Jacob overcame the challenges he faced. Towards the end of the Parsha, after Jacob left Lavan’s house, he was met by God and angels. As it says in chapter 32: verse 2: “And they [God and the angels] were impressed by him [Jacob].” The same Hebrew word is used here as was used in chapter 28 (va’yifgau), except here we see a role reversal. Prior to Jacob’s journey, he experienced the world passively. He allowed his environment to affect him. However, after leaving his home and establishing a new home, he no longer played this passive role. His experiences gave him the power to influence not just his environment, not just the people in that environment, but even God and angels.       

Just like Jacob, both Abraham and Isaac had experiences in foreign lands. All three of our forefathers were strangers among people who had very different values from their own, and all three established places for themselves in those lands. The story of the Jewish people is not one of simply remaining in our own communities where we feel stable and safe. Our story is about breaking out of that stability, embarking on a journey to somewhere new and re-establishing that sense of stability.

Returning to aromatic rings for just a moment. One might assume that because they are already so stable, they do not react. The common purpose of chemical reactions is to create a more stable product, so it would seem that there would be no reason for aromatic rings to react. However, they do react and consequently lose their stability temporarily, but then re-establish it by forming a new product. I wish all of us the strength to not be complacent with our own stability. We must break out of it, despite our fears or discomfort, so that we ourselves as well as the communities we influence can constantly be striving for greater stability.