Indifference

Rabbi Twerski has a novel idea in interpreting the reason why Yakov realized it was time to leave חרן and come back to Eretz Yisrael.

The Torah tells us that Yakov looked at Lavan and did not like the expression on his face. Most interpret this to mean that Lavan’s expression changed and Yakov noticed this anger in his eyes that could potentially harm him and his family.

Rabbi Twerski felt that Yakov began to be alarmed because he suddenly saw himself as being indifferent to the evil of his father in-law. Until then, every time he looked at Lavan, he was fully aware of the extent of the evil and deceit of his wives’ father. Now, after twenty years, he started getting used to that expression.

Yakov understood that indifference is a dangerous thing. When evil is suddenly tolerated, it has a profoundly negative effect on society.

We have become an indifferent society. So many things that we found unacceptable and even repulsive, are now viewed as the norm.

There was a time that it was considered immoral for an unmarried couple to live together. Physician assisted killings, gang wars, school shootings, same sex marriages, and drug abuse, were things that once created outrage among the masses. The indifference to all of this, has caused a weakening of the moral fabric of today’s society.

When Yakov saw himself as becoming indifferent to the רשע, Lavan, he knew it was time to go. If he wouldn’t leave, the holiness and service of Hashem that he had worked for, would now be compromised. He could not let this happen.