We’re informed that Yakov Avinu left his space,

and we’re also told that he went to a different place.

Why doesn’t it just say that he left or that he went,

why does it say both; what deeper meaning is meant?

Generally, you either mainly leave or primarily go,

that you do both is not something we need to know.

But for Yaakov there was a deep meaning in each,

his leaving and his going both had something to teach.

“Vayeitzei,” his mother said, “leave or you’ll be killed,

the leaving was a fulfillment of his mother’s will.

“Vayeilech,” he had to go, and his father told him where,

“go to Charan and find a wife there.”

Going someplace and leaving from where he came,

one was kibbud av and the other kibbud eim.

Each action—where he left and where he went,

was a mitzvah for which Yaakov was sent.

May we be blessed that wherever we leave and go,

always brings us closer to God and helps us grow.

Rabbi Neil Fleischmann—an ordained rabbi from RIETS—has taught Torah for over 30 years, primarily at The Frisch School, where he coached the award-winning poetry team. As an integral part of the Yeshiva Poetry Society, Fleischmann is a passionate advocate for the arts within the Torah world. He was named New York’s funniest rabbi and has performed stand up comedy, as well as presenting as scholar in residence, across the city and country. His literary work includes the haiku collection, “In The Field,” and he has contributed close to 20 poems to the “Stories of Our Lives” anthologies, parts 1 and 2. Currently, Fleischmann is working on a book of parsha poems that combines meaningful content with whimsical formatting. You can reach him at [email protected].