Vayetsei Ya’akov miber shava vayelech Charana.
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
This portion is the neat packaging of two “goings out” given to us as bookends. The first going out is as our father Jacob left the Land of Promise and his father’s home and went to Haran which is in modern day Turkey. Haran is where his grandfather Abraham had lived for a while. It was the region where his mother Rivka [Rebecca] was from. Like Isaac, Jacob was not to marry a woman from the pagans that lived in the Land at the time. Here is how the end of last week’s portion records this:
Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him, and said to him: “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and take yourself a wife from there of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.”
Genesis 28:1-2
The road that Jacob took from Beersheva, was not the easy way to Haran. The easy way was the King’s Highway that follows the Jordan River Valley. Instead, Jacob took the ridge road that follows the ridge of hills that make up the center of the Land of Israel. In the center of that ridge was the town of Shalem, or Jebu [Jerusalem], and very close to that is the town that is identified as Bet El [Bethel]. The ancient sages identify Bet El not with the later Bethel in the time of the Judges and the Kings, but with Araunah the Jebusite’s threshing floor, which Jacob’s descendant King David purchased for the purpose of building a Temple to HaShem. If this is true, Jacob’s first encounter with the G-d of Abraham and Isaac was on the site of Abraham and Isaac’s greatest test: the offering of Isaac on the mountains of Moriyah, and the place of our Master’s suffering and resurrection.
The second “going out” is found at the end of this week’s parasha. After marrying Leah and Rachel, Jacob left the region of Padam Aram and returned to the Land of Promise. Here is how Jacob recounts why he left Padam Aram:
“I am the G-d of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.”
Genesis 31:13
These two “goings out” by Jacob have some important lessons for us. It is interesting that in both of these “goings out,” Jacob was responding to a command, first by his father, and then by G-d Himself. After Jacob makes the steps of obedience, he was met along the way by HaShem Himself - first at Bet El [House of G-d], and later in P’ni El [Face of G-d].
Both of these “goings out” are about trusting G-d for His promises and avoiding syncretism. Syncretism is about combining parts of various religions, thereby finding a way to “fit in” with a culture or philosophy. As we continue our study of Torah, we will find that syncretism is definitely something that the Almighty is concerned with regard to His people. He hates it. Syncretism is the easy way.
There is one faith - the faith of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - everything else is an imposter. Combining elements from other religions and philosophy will only lead to disaster for us personally, but more importantly for our children, and their children. Remember, it is not only about you... it is about your toldot, your generations.
Thus Isaac sent Jacob away from the Land, where only Canaanite women were available for carrying on the godly line, to the region of Padam Aram, where women who were descendants of Seth and Eber lived. Seth and Eber had worshipped the G-d of Abraham. Of course we know that once Jacob arrived in Padam Aram and married Leah and Rachel he was painfully aware that coming from a family that once feared G-d is not a guarantee. His uncle was not only a deceiver, he was an idol worshipper, and his daughters had such an upbringing. Laban’s speech conveyed his confusion over worship of the true G-d. Listen to how he described G-d:
“The G-d of Abraham, the god of Nahor, and the god of their father judge between us.”
Genesis 31:53
Laban was clearly confused. The G-d of Abraham was certainly not the same as the gods of Nahor or Terah, the idol worshippers. Laban may have at one time known the truth, but syncretism had erased his spiritual discernment.
Jacob sensed the problem with Laban earlier, and through a variety of circumstances knew that the best place for him and his family was not “nearby” to Laban. So he moved his family away from Laban; three days journey. Maybe he thought that would be far enough to avoid syncretism. It wasn’t.
Whether Jacob understood the danger or not; G-d did, and told Jacob that “nearby” was too near. He was to establish a family and a line that was not a mixture of pagan and believing - but one of singular influence: G-d’s. Was it already too late? The generation that follows will tell that story. Regardless, Jacob obeyed and took his family back to the Land. It is at the point of obedience that G-d met Him face-to-face at P’ni El, where he wrestled with the Angel of HaShem.
Syncretism is serious business considering the effect on later generations. The Holy One, blessed is He, is deadly serious about it. Paul reminds us of this:
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Messiah with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of G-d with idols? For you are the temple of the living G-d. As G-d has said:
“I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their G-d, and they shall be My people.”
Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the L-RD. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says HaShem Almighty.”
2Corinthians 6:14-18
Paul’s quoting of Numbers 16 and the account of the judgment of Korach tells us how serious the issue is. Paul also reminds us that in our fight against syncretism, we will often be alone - even our families may reject us. Be comforted, HaShem Himself will be a Father to us.
Revelation’s reference regarding the judgment of Babylon gives further evidence to the danger of syncretism. Share values, share sin, share judgment.
And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”
Revelation 18:4
Syncretism; assimilation with paganism; confusing G-d’s Word for man’s tradition - these are unacceptable - and it seems that G-d’s people never learn how serious it is. Christians are often found denigrating Jews for their “rejection of Messiah” and yet engage in some of the same syncretic practices as the idolatry-prone Israelites of Jeremiah’s day - which resulted in the Babylonian captivity. Criticizing the “Pharisees” they often do the very thing that Yeshua saw as their greatest weakness - replacing the commands of G-d with the traditions of men.
All too well you reject the commandment of G-d, that you may keep your tradition.
Mark 7:9
The most serious error of some Pharisees is multiplied countless times by many leaders in Christianity. In arrogance, many have annulled the very commands of the King of the Universe - and yet declare their theological traditions to be “orthodox.” How far we have fallen!
Who will be judged more seriously, those who teach about a “messiah” that is the antithesis of the “One Like Moses” (Deut 18, Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37) - or the ones deceived by such a twisting of Scripture that casts “Jesus” in the role of a law-breaking leader of a new anti-Semitic religion? Here is my question to at least partially answer the previous question: Which group has proven itself to be less prone to syncretism? Which group has done a better job at warding off pagan practices and not mixing them into the practice of faith? Although neither side is perfect in this regard (orthodox Judaism also has in it the fingerprints of pagan influences), there is no doubt that Christianity has in large part failed miserably with regard to syncretism. In her effort to be “not Jewish” - she adopted the practices and celebrations of the pagans around her. Both the reasons, and the methods are despicable.
Of course, the syncretist does not think he is engaging in syncretism. Compromises are usually framed in the guise of tolerance, or intent of the heart etc. You hear syncretism explained away in phrases like, “Yes, that may be what it used to mean to pagans, but it does not mean that to me.” So, here are a few questions for you (Don’t worry, there are enough questions to go around for everyone. We all are guilty of syncretism to one degree or another):
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Why does the Greek word “Eucharist” which means “giving thanks” apply to something that is also called “Communion” or “The L-rd’s Supper”? Are you sure you know where it came from?
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Why is a church building called “G-d’s House” or the “House of the L-rd?”
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Why does a church always have a “Pastor” who singularly leads a congregation? And why is he referred to as “Reverend?”
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Why did Second Century Gentile believers pray facing the rising sun, whereas the Jews face Jerusalem?
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Why is weekly “church” attendance a mark of piety in many people’s minds?
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Why is “Sunday” called the “L-rd’s Day” by the vast majority of those who claim to follow Messiah? Is that what Yeshua called the first day of the week?
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Why is the common celebration of the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua called “Easter” by many, and yet it is separate and distinct on the calendar from Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
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Why do those who claim to follow the Messiah celebrate His birth with a “Mass” [e.g. “Christ Mass”]; when historically it can be shown that a “mass” is a pagan religious practice?
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Why do the majority of Messiah’s followers celebrate his birth on the day of Dies Invicti Solis [the Day of the Invincible Sun]. Answer this question and you can answer the question about Easter - they are directly related.
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Why do the majority of evangelical Christians think that celebrating these things is acceptable, and yet biblical celebrations, and biblical worship practices are not only ignored, but condemned?
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Why does “What Would Jesus Do” not mean “How Did Yeshua Live” in most people’s minds? How is it possible that a disciple following his/her Master thinks that they should not do what they acknowledge their Master did (and does) - and at the same time condemn others that do what the Master did, as practicing the “sin of legalism?”
Beloved, the answer to all of these can be said in one word: syncretism. In Christianity, the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - the faith of Yeshua, Paul, and Peter was turned into a syncretic mix of truth and error. It is why Jews for two thousand years have called Christians “pagans” and “idol worshippers” - because sometimes it looks like weare.
If you do not know the answers to the above questions, you have been deceived. If you have been so deceived by these and other “traditions” that are indistinguishable from the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - you inherited them. That is why we are told like Jacob, to get out... it is for our children, and their children. Undo the lies. Start now.
I am praying that somewhere in the annals of the Almighty, there is a line that applies to me.... Vayetze Uzziel... [And Rick went out...].
Beloved, may the title for this week’s parasha speak of you. Vayetze, and He/She went out...
