Impact of a Tzaddik

Rashi comments on the usage of the word, ויצא, “And Yakov went out.” A more appropriate word would have been, וילך, “He left.”

The “going out” of Yakov from Beer Sheva to Charan, was significant. An important lesson is learned here about the impact a righteous person can have on his entire community.

Rashi continues to explain that when he lived in Beer Sheva, he was the glory of that place. He was able to uplift all those that were around him. The entire city was on a higher level when he was there. When he “went out,” the loss was felt by everyone.

In recent years, the same could be said for Rav Elazar Abuchatzeira, of blessed memory, and his brother, Rabbi David Abuchatzeira. When Rav Elazar moved to Beer Sheva in the eighties, he managed to uplift the entire city. He founded schools and Kolels, and thousands of Jews from all over the world, came to seek his advice and blessings. His son, Rabbi Pinchos, has carried on his work, after his father’s tragic passing.

The same could be said for Rabbi David Abuchatzeira in Nahariya. That beautiful town has also been transformed, by having a Tzaddik, living in their midst. Rabbi David is one of the leading and most influential rabbis in the world.

Rav Kook said that each Jew is an עולם קטן, a small world of his own. He is meant to impact the עולם הגדול, the greater world. We must never minimize or underestimate the influence each of us can have when we set the example of living a sanctified life according to the dictates of the Torah.