Vayetze: Chapter 32

"And he took a fresh poplar rod"

Synopsis

This verse continues the discussion of the secret meaning of the rods Jacob used to separate his animals from those of Laban. Rabbi Elazar comments that God selected Jacob as his Chosen, and that Jacob also chose God. Typically, the Zohar here conflates cause and effect as one, that is, God choosing Jacob and Jacob choosing God are one and the same, indicating interrelated nature of creation. In Rabbi Elazar's interpretation, "Man is the measure of all things." God not only chooses his flock, but each of us has the power to choose God as well.

Relevance

The the spiritual truths throughout this section awaken a realization of the power of choice that God has bestowed upon us. We begin to recognize the daily opportunities we have to choose the Light of God over the evil of Darkness.