FAST AND SLOW
Earlier this week, Google announced the launch of Willow, its latest and greatest quantum computing chip. It performed a calculation in under five minutes that would have taken the best of other supercomputers 10 septillion (that’s 10 followed by 24 zeroes) years to perform! Obviously, we are still a long way from this new chip having practical applications, but it is an indication of the continued speed of innovation we see in the technological world.
What applies in technology does not apply in ethics or morality, especially Jewish ethics. Issues need to be considered, evaluated and given proper time for appraisal.
We see this clearly in the parting exchange between Jacob and Esau. Jacob had presented Esau with lavish gifts. Esau offered to travel onwards with Jacob, but Jacob declined saying:
“I will move slowly at my own pace, according to the pace of the Melacha, the work, that is ahead of me and according to the pace of the Yeladim, the children…” (Bereishit 33:14)
- Menachem Mendel Frankel explains that Jacob is saying that his pace of life is different to Esau’s. Jewish life, perforce, is slower. Melacha or work is an allusion to Shabbat and the benefit it brings to our lives. The relentless pace of the outside world is shut out. We take a break for 25 hours, even if it entails financial loss. But we emerge spiritually refreshed and better able to confront the challenges of the coming week.
Jacob’s second reason for his slow progress is his children. He understands that he has to take his children with him on his journey. Apart from the practical problems of managing a household with children where everything can take longer, Jacob recognises his responsibility to impart values to children at a pace and at a level that they would comprehend, absorb and implement. This cannot be rushed. If we want our children to have pride in their Judaism and take forward our ideals to the next generation, we must devote the time to notice them and address their needs.
When Jacob tells Esau he will be travelling at his own speed, he is saying: My way of life may be slower than yours, but ultimately, we will complete the journey. The ongoing survival of the Jewish nation is testament to the truth of Jacob’s words.