THE STONE (VAYETSÈ - וַיֵּצֵא)

Yaaqov and Rachel

The scene of Yaaqov/Jacob and Rachel's meeting at the well is touching. The man, fleeing from the wrath of his brother Esav/Esau to whom he has subtracted his father's blessing, arrives at a well enclosed by a large and heavy stone, the moving of which requires the joint action of numerous people. But the arrival of young Rachel seems to infuse Yaaqov with an uncommon strength:

“When Yaaqov saw Rachel the daughter of Lavan [...] he rolled the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of Lavan, his mother's brother.” [Gen. 29:10]

Lifting that enormous weight is not just a way of impressing the maiden. The stone symbolizes the limitations and fears of Yaaqov, a fugitive and fearful man. Through that action he demonstrates to himself the ability to shift his limits and go to draw deep waters that waited hidden within him.

We all confront that very heavy stone, which blocks us, pins us down, and prevents us from revealing ourselves and others to our full potential. Sometimes we need the right motivation to find within ourselves the strength needed to move that hindrance. In Yaaqov's case the spur comes from meeting Rachel, the woman he will love all his life.

No one, however, will be able to transform us from the outside, or move the stone for us to access the well that will allow us to express our potential for growth and transformation. No one will be able to do this unless we find the inner resources to do it.

Undoubtedly, however, few things can motivate us as much as the presence and gaze of those dear to us, as in the case of Yaaqov.

The encounters that change our lives are those that allow us to find within us the strength to move that stone.