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Why did Yaakov cry when he first kissed Rochel, and why did he volunteer to work seven years for her hand? The shiur explores the concept that marriage is an eternal relationship, not limited by death. Yaakov's seven years of labor was not to appease Lavan but to build Rochel's self-worth and their eternal bond—making the years feel like mere days.
Rabbi Zweig opens by examining the unusual language describing Yaakov's kiss to Rochel: "vayishak" versus "vayanashek." The shiur explains that "vayishak" denotes a one-way kiss (not on the lips), an appropriate greeting, whereas "vayanashek" (used when Lavan kisses Yaakov) denotes a two-way kiss on the lips—which Rashi (רש"י) interprets as Lavan frisking Yaakov for valuables. This linguistic distinction establishes that Yaakov's greeting to Rochel was proper and respectful. The shiur then turns to Yaakov's tears. Rashi offers two explanations: one is that Yaakov had prophetic knowledge they would not be buried together. Rabbi Zweig asks why Yaakov would cry about this immediately—why not save tears for the funeral? The answer lies in understanding that marriage is meant to be eternal. The realization that he and Rochel would not share a burial plot signaled to Yaakov that their relationship would not have the eternal quality he desired. This was devastating in the moment because it redefined the nature of their bond.
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Bereishis 29:11-20 (Parshas Vayeitzei)
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