Yakov’s Truthfulness

It is interesting that the attributes of truthfulness is attributed to Yakov Avinu. There is a well known expression, תתן אמת ליעקב, “give truth to Yakov.” On the one hand, he is portrayed as the איש תם יושב אהלים, the simple man that dwelled in his tent.

This same simple Jew had to deal with two master crooks, Lavan and Eisav. He figured out ways to outsmart these evil individuals, in a way that appeared to be both clever and devious. And he is the patriarch known for “truthfulness.”

There is a very important lesson to be learned from here. There are times when a person must go against his nature for survival. He learns to separate between the challenge at hand, and then returning to his true nature.

A kind and simple person will not defeat his enemies by “blowing kisses” at them. He must be fully aware what he is up against. His drive towards survival and the need to protect his family, must take precedence over his natural tendencies.
A friend of mine who was wrongfully jailed for a crime he did not commit, used his time in prison to protect other Jews. He taught them how to defend themselves against vicious Jew hating inmates. He would often get resistance from the Jews he was trying to save. He had to convince them that this was the right thing to do. He needed to defend himself, and defend Jewish honor.

The greatness of Yakov was that when he had to outsmart his enemies, he did what needed to be done. But he never stopped being that simple Jew who dwelled in his tent, and meditated on G-d’s greatness. That is why he was the man of truth.