The first words in this week’s Torah portion are Vayetze Yaakov which translates to “and Jacob went out”. 

This refers to the fact that our patriarch Jacob left the warmth of his parents home to find his destiny in the wide world. 

On Monday the 14th cohort from Jewish Women’s Connection of Atlanta finished the Israel Momentum trip. 

38 women left home, literally whilst also going out of their comfort zone figuratively, to experience Israel, some for the very first time. 

This trip is impactful and life changing as relationships were forged and eyes opened. 

And quite a bit of spontaneous crying took place!

Nili Couzins, one of the Momentum trip leaders is wont to say “tears are the sweat of the soul”. Somehow on this trip the soul is leading the body and emotions and spiritual connections are the currency. 

It is no coincidence that our Parsha, Vayetze,  speaks about tears as well. 

This weeks Torah portion is an introduction to two of the matriarchs Leah and Rachel, who were sisters. When we are given a description of Leah the Torah tells us her eyes were weak and tender. 

Rashi, the super commentator is puzzled by the need for this description. If it was a blemish why mention it at all?

Rashi explains that Leah heard that Rebecca, her aunt, had two sons, and her father had two daughters, so she assumed the older son would marry the older daughter and the younger son would marry the younger daughter. 

This would seem to be a perfect solution and solve the Shidduch or matchmaking crisis. 

But Leah was extremely distraught by the possibility that she would be destined to spend her life with the older brother who was none other than the wicked Esau. 

So she literally cried her eyes out until her crying actually weakened her eyes. 

We might view this reaction to a difficult situation as a weakness! 

But Rabbi Dr. Weinreb gives us another perspective. 

He explains that Leah’s tears are “part and parcel of the struggle of a searching soul” 

Leah is the example of a person who has a huge obstacle before her, yet she continues to do all in her power to overcome that obstacle. 

King David in his masterful book of Psalms teaches us that Gd is mindful of every tear shed, whether it be tears of suffering or tears of overcoming and Gd actually cherishes those tears by placing them in a proverbial flask where they are preserved for the future and are even  counted one by one as they are so precious. 

So concludes Rabbi Weinreb, Leah’s tears are not a physical defect but instead they are a symbol of her striving. The tears are not emblems of weakness but rather medallions of strength of character as she strives to overcome the challenges before her. 

It was the form of her deepest prayer. 

The Talmud teaches us that since the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed it may be difficult for our prayers to storm the Gates of Heaven. 

But there is one Gate that always remains open and that is the Gate of Tears. 

As we traveled to Israel, and as we travel the journey of life we face many travails and often have to leave our comfort zone way behind. If while doing so we shed some tears, they will symbolize our desire to learn and grow, expand horizons and overcome misjudgment. 

Then we are properly armed not only to take the trip, but also bring the lessons and the experiences home!

Shabbat Shalom and so much love from Jerusalem!