Yaakov's Work Ethic

 

In the final confrontation with Lavan at the end of the parsha Yaakov Avinu outlines the tremendous lengths which he went to in his role as Lavan's shepherd. He describes the care with which he tended the flock so that it would flourish and the females would not miscarry. He describes the personal accountability that he took for sheep that were killed or stolen, losses which were rightfully Lavan's but which Yaakov treated as his own. Finally, Yaakov recounts the physical exhaustion which he endured throughout his twenty years in Lavan's service to ensure Lavan's success: "This is how I was: By day scorching heat consumed me, and frost by night; my sleep drifted from my eyes." (Bereshit 31:41) 

This level of commitment to the job seems extreme. Consequently, the question arises, is this description one of a normal shepherd's responsibilities to his employer or did Yaakov act beyond basic requirements? The Talmud (Bava Metziah 73b) relates to this issue, but it's conclusions are not clear. Rambam, however, addresses our question directly. In codifying the requirements which Halachah demands from all laborers he writes: [The worker] is required two work with all of his strength just as Yaakov the tzadik said, "with all of my might did I serve your father (i.e. Lavan)." (Hilchot Schirut 13:7) According to the Rambam Yaakov's arguments in our parsha are not just his personal defense against Lavan's claims, they are a description of the basic ethical responsibility of a worker to his employer.  

Two salient lessons emerge for us. One is the importance of honesty in work and in business. If we have committed to do a job we ought to feel bound to fulfill our responsibilities to the utmost, not only by the employer's watchful eye but by our own integrity. The second lesson is about trusting G-d. Yaakov was cheated endlessly by Lavan. One may have argued that Yaakov had every right to meet this trickery with his own, and leverage his position to at least take some time off here and there. Yaakov is teaching us that this argument is false. As long as his contract stands, the Jewish worker is required to fulfill his commitments honestly. He trusts, as Yaakov did, that "the G-d of Avraham and fear of Yitzchak" sees his honesty and his hard work and acts to safeguard his livelihood.

Shabbat Shalom!

Adam Friedmann

Avrech, YU Torah Mitzion Zichron Dov Beit Midrash of Toronto

Birth:
A girl to Rebecca (Kurtz '03) and Yossi ('03) Salmon