Vayeitzei

There are two interesting differences between the promise of Hashem made to Avraham and Yitzchak on the one hand and Yaakov on the other.

The first time that Hashem appears to Avraham He gives Avraham a command: lech lecha me'artzecha... Following the command is a blessing: v'e'escha l'goy gadol va'avarechecha... One seems dependent upon the other. If Avraham fulfill the commandment then he will receive the blessing. Similarly, when Hashem appears to Yitzchak for the first time He gives Yitzchak a command: al tered Mitzraymah shcon ba'aretz asher omar eilecha. Yitzchak is commanded to remain in Eretz Canaan and not travel to Egypt. Again, immediately following the command is a blessing: v'ehyeh imcha va'avarechekha. Here, too, one is dependent upon the other. If Yitzhak fulfills the commandment then he will receive the blessing.

However, Hashem's first appearance to Yaakov is quite different. Hashem 'introduces' himself (ani Hashem) and then immediately gives Yaakov a blessing: ha'aretz asher ata shoceiv aleha lecha etnenah ulezarecha. Vehaya zaracha ka'afar ha'aretz... Yaakov is not required to fulfill any commandment to procure the blessing.

Additionally, there is a distinction in the reaction to the blessing. Immediately following their blessings, Avraham and Yitzchak act. The Torah states vayelech Avram after Avraham is told to travel to the Land. Similarly, the Torah states vayeishev Yitzchak biGrar. Yitzchak fulfills the commandment by establishing a home in Gerar. However, after Yaakov receives his blessing he has an incredulous reaction. VAYIRA vayomar ma nora hamakom hazeh. He is stricken with fear. Vayasem osah MATZEVAH - he builds an altar. VAYIDAR Yaakov NEDER - he makes a vow. Why the differences between the initial interaction by Hashem and the subsequent reaction by the Avos?

Avraham and Yitzchak were free men and masters of their own destiny when Hashem appears to them. Yaakov, on the other hand, is fleeing for his life. He cannot return to his home fearful of his brother's wrath; he has just been mugged by his nephew Elifaz and travels with no possessions, destitute of possessions and familial support.

There is another famous story of a borayach - one who is on the run - in Tanach. Yona tries to run from his Divine mission and boards a ship. When a storm arrives endangering the ship it is determined that the fate of the ship is due to Yona's flight. The sailors throw Yona overboard and the sea immediately calms. The verse in Yona then states VAYIRU ha'anashim yira gedola es Hashem VAYIZBECHU ZEVACH laHashem VAYIDRU NEDARIM. The Metzudas David explains that their fear was caused by a realization of hashgachas HaMakom v'yecholto - Hashem's omnipotence and complete control over everything. Therefore, they decided to bring korbanos and, the Metzudas David continues, take vows to give charity. Why was this their reaction?

During the storm, the sailors and passengers were praying to any and all gods. Nothing worked. Yona explained that he served Hashem. They then toss him into the sea and the storm ceases. At that moment they all realized that Hashem controls the sea, the ship, the wind, the people, everything! The realization of the true power and control of Hashem gripped them with fear. The avoda of korbanos displays a recognition that everything belongs to Hashem and needs to be utilized in the service of Hashem. Similarly, giving charity is an act that displays a recognition that even one's possessions are not really his but rather gifts from hashem to be utilized to help others.

Hashem appears to Yaakov when he is fleeing as well. Yaakov's greatest fear at this point is that the holiness he experienced up to this point in his life would be missing. He is leaving the confines of Yitzchak and Rivka's home as well as the holy Land. Would the intimacy with Hashem be left behind as well? Hashem appears to Yaakov to comfort him in this regard. V'hinei anochi imach ushemarticha bechol asher telech...ki lo e'ezavcha... Hashem assures Yaakov that he will be with him everywhere and always. Avraham and Yitzchak were not fleeing and did not fear losing the intimacy with Hashem. Yaakov had these fears and, therefore, needed the comforting blessing before any commandment.

Yaakov's reaction to this assurance is also unique to his situation. Like the sailors, he is gripped with fear - vayira vayomar. It is the same fear that engulfed the people on Yona's ship. Yaakov now has a deeper realization that the omnipotence of Hashem will enable him to maintain his intimate relationship with Hashem even outside the confines of Eretz Yisrael and his parents' home. This fear is a display of yiras shamayim. Therefore, his reaction is similar to the men on the ship as well. Yaakov builds an altar to bring korbanos and he takes a vow to give charity - aser a'aserenu lach - to display his new-found recognition of and appreciation for the omnipotence of Hashem.

Reassured, vayisa Yaakov raglav. Rashi explains nasa libo es raglav. His mind and heart are at ease, confident in the protection and guidance of Hashem wherever he goes, certain of his eventual return to Eretz Hakedoshah.