5787/2026
Through the life of Yaakov Avinu, we discover how much power lies in our small efforts and smallest Tefillot. Rashi points out that while Esav was out hunting in the forest, Yaakov was an “Ish Tam Yoshev Ohalim”, sitting in the Beit Midrash and quietly working on himself.
When Yitzchak Avinu went to give Yaakov the Beracha, he said,"HaKol Kol Yaakov, VeHaYidayim Yedei Esav" “The voice is the voice of Jacob, yet the hands are the hands of Esav.” (BeReishit 27:22). Rashi famously explains that the Kol of Yaakov refers to Yaakov speaking politely and calmly whereas Esav spoke harshly. BeReishit Rabba expands on that by saying “HaKol Kol Yaakov VeHaYidayim Yedei Esav” refers to Yaakov Avinu’s constant Torah talk and Tefillah, and whenever that voice is active, the physical hands of Esav have no power over him. BeReishit Rabbah further says that as long as the Jewish people use their voice for Tefillah and Torah, their enemies (the hands of Esav) have no power to rule over them, but if that voice of Tefillah and Torah becomes silent, the physical hands of their enemies can overcome them.
Later in the story, regarding when Yitzchak Avinu realizes he gave the Berachot to Yaakov instead of Esav, the Sfat Emes asks: why didn’t Yitzchak didn't become angry at Yaakov Avinu? The Sefat Emet explains that Yitzchak recognized the nature of Ru’ach HaKodesh—that the ultimate Berachot belong to the person who works quietly on his character and is humble like Yaakov Avinu, rather than the person who only looks impressive on the outside like Esav.
In our own lives, we can sometimes feel that small things don't make a big impact. We can learn from Yaakov Avinu that even just doing one more act of Chesed or saying one more paragraph of Tefillah can go a long way. When we add just one extra act of Chesed or take two minutes to say one more paragraph of Tefillah, we aren't just doing a small personal action, we are activating the Kol Yaakov that protects us and brings Beracha into the world. Every single step we take in this world has the power to change everything.