Our Sages teach us that every detail recorded in the Torah has a message for the ages. The Book of Genesis is full of iconic stories but if we look carefully there are often huge gaps in the narrative. This is because the vignettes that are chosen reveal life lessons that are applicable today. 

So too in the details. 

In this weeks Torah portion, VaYishlach, the verse states

“Jacob traveled to a place called Sukkot and there he built for himself a house and for his cattle he made Sukkot (booths, like the holiday), therefore he named the place Sukkot”

Rabbi Wosner asks if Jacob built a house for himself and booths for his cattle, why did he name the place after the booths for the animals? He should’ve called the place after the main thing which was the house he built for his family. Why didn’t Jacob call the place Bayit, or house?

Rabbi Wosner, who was a prominent Torah teacher, explains that when we are focusing on what we are doing, which is amplified by the naming of the place, the primary focus should be what we do for others. When you take care of another it has an eternal effect. What we do for another is what lasts. This is the lesson Jacob wanted to teach us by naming the place after his actions of taking care of the helpless animals. 

Some years ago there was a talented and charismatic teacher of Torah named Rabbi Shwadron. He was beloved by many and despite his stature was viewed as an accessible mentor. Many people would ask him to be their emissary to the leader of the generation another Rabbi called the Chazon Ish. Many would ask Rabbi Shwadron to travel from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak to get advice on their behalf. This was no small favor. It took rabbi Shwadron 4 hours each way for every request. He found himself doing the trek often and wondered if this was a good usage of his own time. 

On his next visit he posed the question to the holy Chazon Ish who gave him a beautiful answer. 

He said Chessed, or acts of loving kindness for another, is the essence of the soul. Any opportunity one has to do kindness for another should be taken joyfully. 

Our Sages teach us that a person should work hard to bring about good for others, for all need help in some way shape or form. Because when you go out of your way to help another YOU are actually sustained. By fulfilling the needs of others we find our own purpose or meaning. 

Jacob taught us this deep lesson when he chose to name the location Sukkot. 

A name tells us the essence of the place. And our soul essence is looking to sustain and help those around us who may need a helping hand. 

In the end it will actually build us. 

Shabbat Shalom and so much love