Vayeshev(Genesis 37-40)

Snakes and Scorpions

Parshat Vayeshev tells of Joseph being thrown by his brothers into a pit. The Torah describes the pit as being "empty and without water."

This raises a question: If the verse says that the pit was empty, why does it also need to tell us there was no water?

The answer is that there is no such thing as a completely empty pit. The laws of physics tell us that something will always permeate a vacuum. So in this case, the "empty pit" had no water, but it did contain other, dangerous elements like snakes and scorpions.

This idea manifests in our own lives as well. The "pit without water" symbolizes a life without Torah, which is often compared to water. There's no such thing as "neutral." Something will always become your god and your guide. The question is: What will it be? Will we proactively fill that space with a good, positive element? Or will we just let some other - perhaps dangerous element - determine our outlook and habits?

With the threat of terror spreading worldwide, I am reminded of the adage from Edmund Burke: "The only thing that evil needs to flourish is for good men to do nothing."

Yes, nature abhors a vacuum… and that law applies to meta-physics as well. So let's fill the space that surrounds us -- with the beautiful overflowing fountain of Torah.

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Published: Saturday, December 17, 2005

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Visitor Comments: 3

(3) laila, November 28, 2007 8:23 PM

open your heart adn soul to torah

After several years of hardship I ahve finally realized what it was that my family was missing from me. As my day went from bad to worse i did not expect to find a light at the end of the tunnel till I turned to Aish which I occasionally did . I realized that all the stuff My boss Yaron has been telling me about torah is true life is precious adn its not all about money and power its how we treat each other adn how we should live tot be a happier nation of jewish people. For once I prayed with a sincere feeling .Thank for opening my eyes .

(2) Dana Filipeanu, November 28, 2007 3:29 AM

Thank you

Thank you because I understand once again that I must be filled up with Tora.
Without Tora we are empty.
Sincerely,
Dana Filipeanu

(1) Wesley Gray, December 18, 2005 12:00 AM

thank you

someone told me about the site and I am thankful they did. I have learned so much and I want to thank you very much--Thank you.

Sincerely,
Wesley Gray
P.S. you can display my email

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About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He is the senior editor of Aish.com and the director of JewishPathways.com. He is also regarded as an expert on media bias relating to the Middle East conflict, and was the founding editor of HonestReporting.com. Rabbi Simmons lives with his wife and children in the Modi'in region of Israel.

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