A Love of Our Own

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”—Malachi 1:2–3

The Torah portion for this week, Toldot, is from Genesis 25:19—28:9 and Malachi 1:1–2:7.

The Haftorah for the portion of Toldot takes us into the time of the prophet Malachi. At that time, the exile in Babylon had ended and the Jews were allowed to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple. It should have been a time of joy and celebration, but things were less than perfect. The Holy Land was in shambles, poverty was rampant, depravity was everywhere, and the newly constructed Temple was far less glorious than the first one it had replaced. The morale and the morals of the people were at a low point when Malachi came along both to comfort the people and to correct their ways.

Malachi began with encouragement, telling the people that God loves them, but the people asked, “How can He love us?” The Sages explain that the people of Malachi’s time felt unworthy and unlovable. They believed that any grace shown to them by God was only because of the merit of their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

But God told them, “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? . . . Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated.” In other words, if that logic were true, then God would have loved Esau, too. After all, he was also a descendant of the Patriarchs! God was telling the people that His love for the Patriarchs only went so far. Ultimately, a person’s relationship with God comes down to that person and God.

Three times a day, an observant Jew says the main Jewish prayer called the Amidah. It begins: “Blessed are you God, our God, and the God of our forefathers . . .” The Sages teach that we acknowledge God as our own personal God before we mention that He is the God of our forefathers in order to emphasize that our relationship with God must be personal.

Sure, we all benefit from being the spiritual heirs of such holy and beloved men and women, but it’s not enough. If we worship God only because our parents did, that’s not enough. If we go to church or synagogue only because it’s our family tradition, it’s not enough. First we must discover our own connection to the Lord, and only then can we enjoy the benefits of our heritage.

God is not inherited. A relationship with the Lord has to be earned and cultivated by every individual who walks this earth. We must all go through our own trials and develop our own faith. And then, when He loves us, it will be for our own sake and won’t be based on our family ties.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/a-love-of-our-own

Moving On

“Isaac trembled violently and said, ‘Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!’”—Genesis 27:33

The Torah portion for this week, Toldot, is from Genesis 25:19—28:9 and Malachi 1:1–2:7.

Toward the end of the Torah portion, Isaac wanted to give the birthright blessings to his son, Esau. But Rebekah knew better. During her pregnancy, she had been prophetically told that Esau would be unworthy of receiving the blessings, while Jacob would need them to fulfill his mission of spreading the Word of God. So Rebekah coached Jacob on how to trick his father into giving him the blessings. The plan succeeded, and then comes the moment when Isaac realized that he was duped.

The real Esau returned from a day of hunting, ready to be blessed. Isaac asked, “Who are you?” Esau answered “It’s me, your son Esau!” And then it all comes together in one crushing moment. As the Bible tells us, “Isaac trembled violently . . .” The Sages explain that Isaac didn’t tremble because he was angry. He trembled because he realized that he had been terribly mistaken. This was no ordinary shudder. This was the kind of shuddering that shakes a person to the core. Isaac’s whole outlook had been wrong, and only now did he fully understand God’s plan for his sons. All of Isaac’s hopes and dreams for Esau came crashing to the ground.

We can feel Isaac’s pain. The moment is sad and heart-wrenching, but at the same time, it is strengthening and inspiring. How many of us could walk away from a lifelong belief and humbly accept that we were mistaken? And yet, Isaac does just that.

There is a story in the Talmud about a rabbi who spent his life’s energies studying a word that appears hundreds of times in the Bible: ‘et,’ loosely translated as ‘and’ or ‘also.’ The rabbi had a theory that every time the word was used, there was an additional law to be learned about the subject at hand. He spent his life extrapolating those hidden laws – until one day he was stumped. He was forced to conclude that his theory was wrong, and he discarded what had been his entire life’s work. When his students asked him how he could do such a thing, the rabbi answered: “Just as I was given reward for expounding, so I shall be given reward for refraining.” The rabbi knew when to quit, and he wasn’t too proud to admit when he was wrong.

We all know what it’s like to find out that we have been mistaken. It is humbling and can shake our world. But there is something much worse than letting go of a long-held belief; it’s continuing with the same faulty outlook and repeating the same mistakes over and over.

We can learn from Isaac on how to confront our mistakes and let them go. Only then can we change our course and move on with grace.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/moving-on

Now vs. Later

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” –Genesis 25:32

The Torah portion for this week, Toldot, is from Genesis 25:19—28:9 and Malachi 1:1–2:7.

What was Esau thinking? Why would he trade his birthright for a bowl of soup?

Let’s back up to where the scene begins. Esau had just returned from an exhausting day. He was utterly famished. He saw his brother Jacob making some red lentil soup, and he wanted some badly.

Esau: “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (Genesis 25:30).

Jacob: “First sell me your birthright” (Genesis 25:31)

Esau: “Look, I am about to die . . . What good is the birthright to me?”

And so the deal is done.

Now, was Jacob being unfair? Was he taking advantage of a dying man? The Jewish Sages explain that when Esau said that he was about to die, he wasn’t really dying. He was explaining his philosophy on life. Underlying this statement was Esau’s outlook: “Life is short, so eat, drink, and be merry. What good will a promise of some future reward do for me now? Now, I am hungry. Now, I want soup. The birthright is of no use to me now.” That is why the Scripture says, “So Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34).

This passage is priceless. It shows us the horrible consequences of instant gratification. The allure of the here and now is blinding. As observers, we can see the foolishness of Esau’s decision. He sacrificed his entire future for a few moments of pleasure. But then again, we do that all of the time.

Who hasn’t been in this situation? After just deciding to diet, you are suddenly accosted by a piece of chocolate cake (or vanilla, if you aren’t a chocolate fan). What do you do? You can eat the cake, enjoy it for ten minutes max, and then pay for it tomorrow when you get on the scale. Or, you can push the cake away and feel deprived for a few moments, reaping the benefits when the pounds slip away. We all know the right thing to do. But my guess is that many of us might eat that cake anyway. We too often sacrifice the future for the sake of the moment.

The simple example of cake is much like the bigger struggle we encounter in our daily lives. We are constantly faced with decisions that come down to what feels good in the moment and what’s better for us in the long term. We have to choose between what feels good for our temporal body and what’s truly nourishing for our eternal spirit. This week’s Torah reading reminds us that while it’s hard to adapt to the long-term view of life, it doesn’t make any sense to live any other way. The here and now is nothing compared to eternity.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/now-vs-later

Going Up the Ladder?

“The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the LORD.”—Genesis 25:22

The Torah portion for this week, Toldot, is from Genesis 25:19—28:9 and Malachi 1:1–2:7.

Scripture tells us that when Rebekah was pregnant, she felt a whole lot of kicking. Jewish tradition teaches that when she passed by a place of idol worship, Esau would kick relentlessly. When she passed by a house of Torah study, Jacob would kick excitedly. There were no ultrasounds in those days, so Rebekah couldn’t figure out how one baby could have two very different dispositions.

Rebekah received her answer when God explained that she was going to have twins. Now it made sense, but we are left wondering if this is fair to Esau, who seems doomed as the wayward son. If he was born with a tendency toward evil, can we really blame him for following his nature? And the same is true for Jacob. If he was born yearning for righteousness, can we be impressed that he turned out as such?

There is a story about the Rebbe of Kotzk who asked his students the following question: “If there are two people on a ladder – one on the third rung and one on the fifth – who is higher?” The students answered the obvious, “The one on the fifth.” “Maybe yes, maybe no,” said the Rebbe. “It depends on which direction they are going.” The rabbi was teaching his students that where a person stands in life is not nearly as important as where he or she is headed.

Both Esau and Jacob were born with natural tendencies, but they were also born with free choice. Esau had the choice to fight his evil inclination and channel his passions for good. No one forced him to choose a life of immorality. Had he chosen the path of goodness, he could have shot up the ladder of righteousness, way past Jacob.

Jacob had a choice, too. He could have stayed in his comfort zone, never falling from his place of righteousness, but never going any higher either. He could have entered the world and left it just as he came, and no one would have complained. But Jacob chose to push himself further and spend his life climbing ever higher.

Like Jacob and Esau, we all come to the world with strengths and weaknesses. We may not have chosen them, but they are ours. Yet, none of that matters anyway. At the end of the day, God won’t be impressed with our natural talents or disappointed with our character flaws. He’ll just want to know how we used them. Did we try to improve our character? Did we use our talents for good?

It won’t matter where we finish on the ladder of righteousness, only how far we have climbed and in what direction.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/going-up-the-ladder

Meeting A Brother Who Had Been Wronged

In time Jacob became very wealthy, and he had large flocks, slaves, and asses. But he heard Laban‘s sons say, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from that which was our father’s he has gotten all this wealth.” He also saw that Laban did not act toward him the same as before. So Jacob rose and put his sons and his wives upon the camels and drove away all his cattle. He deceived Laban, for he did not tell him that he was fleeing away. So he fled across the river Euphrates, with all that he had, and set out on his way toward Mount Gilead.

Then Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau. And he gave them this command, “Say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob declares, I have lived with Laban and have stayed until now. I have oxen and asses, flocks and slaves, and I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may win your favor.’” The messengers returned to Jacob with the report, “We came to your brother Esau, even as he was coming to meet you with four hundred men.”

Then Jacob was greatly alarmed and worried. So he divided the people that were with him and the flocks and the herds and the camels into two parts and said, “If Esau comes to the one and attacks and destroys it, then the other which is left can escape.”

Jacob also prayed, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear that he will come and attack me and kill the mothers and the children.”

Then Jacob took as a present for his brother Esau, two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milch camels and their young, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female asses and ten young asses. These he put, each drove by itself, in the care of his servants and said to them, “Go on before me and leave a space between the droves.”

He gave those in front this command: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? and where are you going? and whose are these before you?’ then you shall say, ‘To your servant Jacob; it is a present sent by him to my lord Esau; and Jacob himself is just behind us.’” Jacob also commanded the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, to make the same answer, and to say, “Jacob himself is just behind us.” For he said to himself, “I will please him with the present that goes before me, and then, when I meet him, perhaps he will welcome me.” So he sent the present over before him; but he himself spent that night in the camp.

Later that night he rose up and took his two wives, his two maid servants, and his eleven children, and sent them over the river Jabbok.

Jacob was left alone, and one wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he did not win against Jacob, he struck the socket of his hip, and the socket of Jacob’s hip was strained, as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let thee go unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall be no longer Jacob, but Israel, which means Struggler with God; for you have struggled with God and with men and have won.” So he blessed him there. And Jacob called the place Penuel, which means Face of God, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life has been saved.”

When Jacob looked up, he saw Esau coming with four hundred men. And he put the maid servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and her son Joseph in the rear. Then Jacob himself went in front of them, and he bowed down to the ground seven times, as he drew near to his brother. Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms about his neck, and kissed him, and they wept.

When Esau looked up and saw the women and the children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “The children whom God has so kindly given me.” Then the maid servants with their children came up and bowed down to the ground. Leah and her children also came and bowed down, and afterward Joseph and Rachel came up and bowed down before Esau.

Esau asked, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Jacob answered, “To win your friendship, my lord.” Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have.” But Jacob replied, “No, if now I have won your favor, receive this present from me to show that you are my friend. Take, I beg of you, the gift that I bring to you, for God has been generous to me, and I have enough.” So he urged Esau until he took it.

Then Esau said, “Let me at least leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But Jacob replied, “What need is there? Let me only enjoy your friendship, my Lord.” So Esau turned back that day on his way to Seir.

http://kids.ochristian.com/Childrens-Bible/Meeting-A-Brother-Who-Had-Been-Wronged.shtml

Jacob’s Dream

Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing which his father had given him. And Esau said to himself, “My father will soon die; then I will kill Jacob, my brother.”

When the words of her older son Esau were told to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother, Esau, is going to kill you. Now therefore, my son, listen to me: run away to my brother Laban at Haran and stay with him for a time until your brother is no longer angry and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you back. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

Then Jacob set out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. And when he arrived at a certain place, he passed the night there, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones from its place and put it under his head and lay down to sleep. Then he dreamed and saw a ladder set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and the angels of God were going up and down on it.

Jehovah also stood beside him and said, “I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your children. See, I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you again to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Surely Jehovah is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was filled with awe and said, “This place is the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

So Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil upon the top of it. And he named that place Bethel, which means House of God. Jacob also made this promise, “If God will be with me and protect me on this journey which I am making and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, and if I return safe and sound to my father’s house, then Jehovah shall be my God, and this stone which I have set up as a pillar shall be a house of God. And of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give a tenth to thee.”

http://kids.ochristian.com/Childrens-Bible/Jacobs-Dream.shtml

How Jacob Deceived His Father

Now Isaac prayed to Jehovah for his wife, because she had no children; and Jehovah heard his prayer, and Rebekah became the mother of twin boys. They named one Esau and the other Jacob.

As they grew up, Esau became a skilful hunter, a man who lived out in the fields; but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed about the tents. Isaac loved Esau, for he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Once when Jacob was preparing a stew, Esau came in from the fields, and he was very hungry; so he said to Jacob, “Let me swallow some of that red stew, for I am very hungry.” But Jacob said, “Sell me first of all your right as the eldest.” Esau replied, “See, I am nearly dead now! So of what use is this birthright to me?” Jacob said, “First solemnly promise to give it to me.” So Esau solemnly promised and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and stewed lentils, and when he had had something to eat and drink, he got up and went away. In this way Esau gave away his birthright.

When Isaac was so old and so nearly blind that he could not see, he called Esau his oldest son and said to him, “My son.” Esau answered, “Here am I.” Then Isaac said, “See, I am old and do not know how soon I may die. Now, therefore, take your quiver and your bow and go out into the fields and hunt game for me and prepare for me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat and that I may bless you before I die.”

Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went into the fields to hunt game, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I just now heard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me game and prepare for me savory food that I may eat it and bless you before I die.’ Now, my son, do as I tell you: Go to the flock and bring me from there two good kids, and I will make of them savory food for your father, such as he loves. Then take it to him, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “You know that my brother Esau is a hairy man, while I am smooth. Perhaps my father will feel of me; then I shall appear to him as a deceiver, and I shall bring blame upon me and not a blessing.” But his mother said to him, “Upon me be the blame, my son; only obey me and go, bring the kids to me.” So he went and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food such as his father loved.

Rebekah also took the fine clothes of her older son Esau, which she had with her in the tent, and put them on her younger son Jacob. Then she put the skins of the kids upon his hands and upon the smooth part of his neck, and she placed the savory food and the bread which she had prepared in his hand, and he went to his father and said, “My father.” Isaac answered, “Here am I; who are you, my son?” Jacob said, “I am Esau your oldest son. I have done as you commanded me. Sit up and eat of my game, that you may bless me.” Isaac said to his son, “How very quickly you have found it, my son.” He answered, “Yes, because Jehovah your God gave me success.”

Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come here, my son, that I may feel of you to find out whether you are really my son Esau or not.” So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt of him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau. Are you really my son Esau?” Jacob answered, “I am.” And Isaac did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s. So he blessed him. Then Isaac said, “Bring the food to me, that I may eat of my son’s game and bless you.” So he brought it to him, and he ate. Jacob also brought him wine, and he drank.

Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near now and kiss me, my son.” As he came near and kissed him, he smelled the smell of his garment, and blessed him.

As soon as Isaac had given Jacob his blessing, and Jacob was about to leave his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also had made savory food and was bringing it to his father. So he said to him, “Father, rise and eat of your son’s game, that you may bless me.” But Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your oldest, Esau.” Then Isaac trembled and said, “Who then is he that has hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate plentifully before you came, and blessed him? Also blessed shall he be!”

When Esau heard the words of his father, he uttered a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father.”

But Isaac said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.” Esau said, “Is it not because he was named Jacob, which means Supplanter, that he has supplanted me these two times: he took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing!” Then he said, “Have you kept a blessing for me?” Isaac answered Esau, “See, I have made him your master and I have given to him all his relatives as servants and grain and wine as his food. What then can I do for you, my son?” Esau said to his father, “Is that the only blessing you have, my father?” and Esau began to weep aloud. Then Isaac his father answered him:

“You shall live far from earth’s fertile places,
And away from the dew of heaven.
By your sword you shall live,
And your brother you shall serve.”

http://kids.ochristian.com/Childrens-Bible/How-Jacob-Deceived-His-Father.shtml

How to Succeed in Business (2)

“If [you]…overdrive them…[they] will die.”                                   Ge 33:13

After being reconciled with his long-estranged brother Esau, Jacob agreed to accompany him back home for a celebration. Esau, who was a fast-tracker, said, “Let us go” (v.12 NKJV). But Jacob said, “You go on ahead!” He explained to his brother, “The children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me…if the men should drive them hard…the flock will die…I will lead on slowly at a pace…the livestock…and the children, are able to endure” (vv.12-14 NKJV). Jacob had great insight. He understood that if you push too hard and take on too much you can lose not only your business, but your family. There’s an important lesson here. In your quest to achieve, stay in balance! There must be a time for work and a time for rest; a time for your career and a time for your relationships. The words, “To love and to cherish,” mean you are married to your spouse, not your job! When it comes to your home life, your character and your spiritual walk, evolution is not the natural order. What you leave unattended deteriorates. Dr. John Maxwell shared the following prayer with his friends at a recent birthday party: “Lord, as I grow older I think I want to be known as…thoughtful rather than gifted, loving versus quick or bright, gentle versus powerful, a listener more than a great communicator, available rather than a hard worker, sacrificial instead of successful, reliable not famous, content more than driven, self-controlled rather than exciting, generous instead of rich, compassionate more than competent.” And that’s a prayer you should pray too!

http://theencouragingword.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/how-to-succeed-in-business-2/

Weeds of Doubt, Seeds of Faith

“Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.” — Obadiah 1:21

The book of Obadiah, which is all of one chapter, is a prophecy against Edom and describes her downfall at the End of Days. At the end of the book, a new world order is described in which the descendents of Esau, who rule with wickedness, will no longer have any effect on the world. He will be subjugated by those who govern from Zion — the descendants of Jacob, who rule with righteousness. Then, and only then, “the kingdom will be the Lord’s.”

From all the evil nations in the world, why is the defeat of Esau a pre-requisite for God’s dominion on earth? What is unique about this nation?

When the children of Israel were brought out of Egypt, they were invincible and God’s kingship was irrefutable. After all that He had done to Egypt, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind about who was running the world. Then along came the nation of Amalek, who Scripture called “first among the nations” (Numbers 24:20). They had the dubious honor of being the first to challenge God’s authority and the first nation to try to destroy His children.

Amalek was defeated by Israel, but spiritual damage had been done. They doubted God’s kingship and planted the seeds of heresy for generations to come. Scripture tells us, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:16). In the original Hebrew, the word “throne” is missing one letter. The message is that until the people represented by Amalek — and everything they stands for — are defeated, God’s throne will remain incomplete. Until that time, there will always be doubt of God.

Now let’s connect the dots. Amalek was a grandson of Esau and the chief of the Edomite tribe. Amalek, Edom, and Esau are all one and the same. Obadiah’s prophesy makes perfect sense. The fall of Esau/Edom is the end of an epic battle between Amalek and God. Esau’s fall means the end of all questioning. The entire world will recognize the Lord our God, and His kingship will be complete.

The spiritual seeds that Amalek planted thousands of years ago have sprung weeds everywhere. People of faith look forward to the time when the weeds of doubt will be replaced with seeds of faith, and the world is restored to the beautiful Garden of Eden that God intended all along.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/weeds-of-doubt-seeds-of-faith

Mother Rachel

“This is what the Lord says:  ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.’ This is what the Lord says:  ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord. ‘They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,’ declares the Lord. ‘Your children will return to their own land’.” — Jeremiah 31:15–17

According to Jewish tradition, all the patriarchs and matriarchs are buried in the cave of Machpelah in Hebron, except one: Mother Rachel. Her husband Jacob had a good reason for burying her on the road near Bethlehem instead. He foresaw that in the future, when the Jewish people would be exiled from their homeland, they would need her.

Here’s why.

Jewish tradition records a wild debate up in heaven. As the Jews are being exiled from their land, all of the holiest souls try to intercede before God on their behalf.

Abraham speaks first:  “I overcame my nature and was prepared to sacrifice my only son. Won’t you remember my devotion and have mercy on my children?”

Then Isaac tries:  “When I realized that my father had been commanded to slaughter me, I faithfully accepted my fate. Won’t you remember my strength and have mercy on my children?”

Next, Jacob:  “I suffered so much in my lifetime. I had to work for Laban, escape from Esau, and I suffered so much raising my children. Now they are being led like sheep to the slaughter. Won’t you remember my pain and redeem them?”

Then Moses:  “Wasn’t I a loyal shepherd for Israel all the years in the desert? I didn’t even get to enter the Holy Land, but brought them dutifully to its entrance. And now they go into exile – won’t you listen to my cries?”

Finally, Mother Rachel comes before God:  “Master of the Universe, you know that Jacob loved me most and worked for my father for seven years in order to marry me. When the time of my marriage came, my father switched my sister for me and I didn’t begrudge my sister and I didn’t let her be shamed. I had compassion for my sister; won’t you have mercy on my children?”

Immediately, God’s mercy was awakened and He said:  “For you, Rachel, I will bring Israel back, as it says:  “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded . . . Your children will return to their own land.”

From all of the holy souls that tried to save the Jewish people, Rachel’s merit was greater than everyone else’s. And why? Because she had compassion on another human being. The message is clear. When we treat others with tremendous compassion, God will treat us with nothing less.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/mother-rachels-merit