Although we are given a tremendous amount of information about their lives, it is certain that not every event in the lives of our matriarchs and patriarchs is mentioned in the Torah.  One wonders then, why, in this week's Torah portion, the seemingly trivial story of Yaakov (Jacob) lifting the stone after seeing Rachel (Rachel) is mentioned.  (Genesis 29:10)  

Ramban writes that the incident teaches a lesson about faith.  If one believes in God, one will be able to do the impossible.  In Ramban's words, "scripture speaks at lengths about the story to teach us 'those who trust in the Lord, their strength is renewed.'  (Isaiah 40:31)   For behold, Yaakov our father came from his travels tired, and he removed a stone that shepherds of three flocks could not."  

This comment also gives us an insight into dealing with suffering.  Contrary to popular thinking, perhaps the primary issue should not be why we suffer, for there is no real answer to this question. It is sometimes beyond human comprehension. This question also tries to understand the past, by examining an event that has already happened.  We, of course, have no say over events that are behind us.  Rather than ask why, perhaps we should focus on what our actions should be following the suffering.  What rather than why is a practical approach, not a philosophical inquiry.  It is also a question that deals with the future over which we have control and not with the past, over which we have none.  

While we ask this all important question of "what shall we do in the face of suffering," we also wonder "what will God do as we suffer?"  The comment by Ramban seems to be suggesting that, when we suffer, God gives us the strength to transcend, to reach beyond and to do things we never ever thought we could do.  As God is infinite, God, who has created us in His image, has given us the power to sometimes reach towards infinity, to do the impossible.  

In our synagogue we run programs for "special friends" (known to many as mentally retarded-a term I do not like). I once asked a mother of one "special friend" the following: If someone would have told you 25 years ago that on the 25th birthday of your daughter you'd still be diapering her, wheeling her in a stroller, giving her milk from a bottle-would you be able to handle it?  

Her response was that she couldn't imagine prevailing over such hardship. But she has prevailed and has given love all these years magnificently. No one is born with this abundant love and commitment; yet the words of Isaiah ring true-- with the help of God we can overcome.  

We constantly hear about great people in the world.  I always have found this strange, because it seems to me that there may not be great people in this world, only great challenges.  Faced with those challenges, ordinary people can rise to do the extraordinary.  The ability of the average person to do the unusual, is the way God works through people.  

Perhaps the well of water in the Yaakov narrative represents life itself.   The water, as it often does in the Torah, represents life itself.  The rock on top of the well reminds us that all too often our life energies are blocked and we feel a weight above us that is difficult to bear.  No matter how impossible we thought something was, Yaakov's actions remind us that we can sometimes dig deep, roll up our sleeves, take a breath, and with the help of God, transform it into the possible.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Avi Weiss