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Why does the pasuk say "Vayeitzei Yaakov mi-Be'er Sheva" when Yitzchok lived in Hebron? The shiur develops Rashi (רש"י) and Chazal's reading that Be'er Sheva housed Yeshivas Shem V'Ever, where Yaakov spent 14 years before traveling to Padan Aram. The departure of a tzaddik from a makom Torah (תורה)—the spiritual hub connecting earth and heaven—leaves a lasting impact on the community's moral and spiritual level.
The shiur opens with the fundamental question on Parshas Vayeitzei: the Torah (תורה) states "Vayeitzei Yaakov mi-Be'er Sheva," yet we know from earlier pesukim that Yitzchok lived in Hebron, not Be'er Sheva. Rashi (רש"י) indicates Yitzchok was confined to his house ("kol b'bayis") and wasn't traveling. How then could Yaakov be leaving from Be'er Sheva? Rabbi Zweig explains that Chazal understand the expression "vayeitzei...mi-makom" to indicate not just passing through but having been settled in that place for a substantial period. This compels Chazal to conclude that Yaakov spent significant time in Be'er Sheva—specifically, 14 years learning in Yeshivas Shem V'Ever, which must have been located there. When his parents instructed him to go to Padan Aram, he first went to the yeshiva in Be'er Sheva, ostensibly to prepare himself and perhaps to mislead Esav about his true destination.
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Bereishis 28:10 (Parshas Vayeitzei)
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