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How do we know Yaakov was an ish emes and not just a master swindler who outsmarted Lavan? The shiur develops a fundamental yesod: a swindler is driven by money (means to an end), while Yaakov worked day and night as a shepherd for self-actualization (the means itself is the end). His twenty-year work ethic proves he could never be a ramai.
Rabbi Zweig opens with a fundamental question: Yaakov Avinu is called an ish emes ("Titen emes l'Yaakov"), yet throughout the parsha he appears to be swindling Eisav and outsmarting Lavan. While we can explain that one is permitted to swindle a swindler ("im ikesh titapal"), how do we know Yaakov himself wasn't fundamentally a swindler? Yaakov himself tells Rivka "ochiv ani b'ramos" — I can match your father in trickery. What is the irrefutable proof that establishes Yaakov as an ish emes rather than simply a more skilled manipulator? The shiur examines the seemingly unnecessary story of Yaakov arriving at the well in Charan. The Torah (תורה) describes three flocks gathered at a well with a large stone covering it. The shepherds would gather together to roll away the stone and water the flocks. Yaakov asks them why they haven't watered the sheep yet when it's still daylight. Rashi (רש"י) offers two explanations: either they are hired workers who should complete a full day's work, or if the sheep are theirs, they should continue grazing them. Rabbi Zweig asks: why would Yaakov criticize business owners for closing early? This would be like telling a store owner he has no right to close at 3 PM on Wednesday. What business is it of Yaakov's how they manage their time?
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Vayeitzei 29:1-12
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