| From our Sages on the Parshah |
And Laban was told that Jacob had fled. And he chased after him a
seven days' journey... (Genesis 31:22-23)
The Chassidic masters explain that, even after 20 years in Laban's house, there
still remained "sparks of holiness" that Jacob needed to redeem; that
is why it was neccessary that Laban should chase after him and the two should
have their final encounter on Mount Galed.
In other words, there are two types of "sparks" which a person redeems
in the course of his life. The first are those which he consciously pursues,
having recognized the potential for holiness and goodness in an object or
event in his life. The second are opportunities whose potentials are so
lofty that they cannot be identified by his humanly finite perception.
His redemption of these "sparks" can only come about unwittingly, when
his involvement with them is imposed upon him by circumstances beyond his control.
(The Lubavitcher Rebbe)
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