On Sunday we celebrated the Upsherenish (first haircut) of our son Levi. At one point someone asked him where all his hair had gone. He responded that they cut it because, “I’m not so little anymore.”
Meanwhile, everyone was enjoying the lavish spread that Esther and friends had prepared. The attention to every detail was impressive. In fact, every little detail was accounted for.
That got me thinking about little things. Should we invest our attention on small details, or focus our limited energies on things that are “not so little?”
*
In this week’s parsha, Vayishlach, we read about Yaakov’s quarrel with a stranger. This stranger, we are taught, was the angel of his brother Esav (Esau). The Torah tells us, “And Yaakov was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.” Jacob wins the battle, but not without permanent damage to his thigh.
The Sages of the Talmud wonder why Jacob was left alone in this encounter. Was he not with his family, servants and perhaps others? The Talmud explains that Yaakov reversed course and crossed the river for the sake of some small jars he had left behind.
What was so important about some small jars that Jacob felt it was imperative to return for them? After all he was exceedingly wealthy, and had greater concerns to reckon with (such as a brother advancing with 400 warriors). True, we can see the lesson of never wasting, but is that the essence of it? Was that all Yaakov was pursuing? And if so, why not send a servant to fetch the jars?
The Chassidic masters explain that Yaakov was not in pursuit of the monetary gain achieved by recovering the jars, but by the spiritual gain. Yaakov saw in his material possessions the "sparks of holiness" inherent within them. These sparks are redeemed and elevated when the object they inhabit is utilized for a constructive, sacred purpose. Jacob asserted that the very fact that Divine Providence has caused them to come into his possession indicates that their redemption is integral to his personal mission in life. Otherwise, he is complicit in the crime of spiritual litter.
Ultimately, Yaakov saw these seemingly insignificant jars as highly significant to his personal destiny. This drove him to recover them, and to do so himself.
*
In our own age, we have the great fortune of being inspired and led by example of our own Jacob. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, in his unmatched love for every person, sent Shluchim (emissaries) around the globe. He did not suffice with Rabbis in the hubs of Jewish life. He would not relent until the entire Jewish world is saturated with Torah and good deeds. To this end, his mission continues today.
Just over a week ago I attended the annual Kinus Hashluchim. At the gala banquet, the opening of a new Chabad Center in Andorra was announced. The country of Andorra only has about 100 Jews. It is less than half the size of Ada County.
The Rebbe would probably put it differently. There are 100 Jews in Andorra! They need a Rabbi and Rebbetzin!
To the Rebbe there are no small jars. And there are no small Jews. And there are no small places.
*
Ultimately, Jacob prevails in his epic tussle and is renamed Yisrael/Israel, reflecting spiritual dominance.
Similarly, we need to ask ourselves, “What have I overlooked today?” Am I screening all items of my life, or am I letting some things slip through unnoticed? Am I elevating every item and moment with holiness, or am I contributing to the spiritual junk of this world?
If we capture every moment and every article as a sacred opportunity, we won’t only be helping the world around us and others, but also helping ourselves meet our own spiritual calling.