Let’s turn the pages of Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, specifically chapter 36, and immerse ourselves in the story of Jacob, Rachel, and a wedding that’s more than just a wedding.
Jacob, as we know, agreed to work seven long years to earn Rachel’s hand in marriage. And when those seven years were up, he celebrated with a grand banquet and rejoicing for seven days. The text tells us, "and married Rachel, as it is said, 'Fulfil the week of this one' (Gen. 29:27). 'And Jacob did so, and fulfilled the week of this one' (Gen. 29:28)."
But it wasn't just Jacob and his family celebrating. "All the men of the place were gathered together to show loving-kindness to our father Jacob, as it is said, 'And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast' (Gen. 29:22)." Everyone came together to share in Jacob’s joy, demonstrating chesed, loving-kindness, a cornerstone of Jewish values.
This seemingly simple act of community support becomes something truly special.
Because God takes notice.
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer continues with an astonishing statement: "The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Ye have shown loving-kindness to Jacob, My servant, I also will give you and your sons your reward in this world, so that there be no reward for the wicked in the future world..."
Did you catch that? The act of showing kindness to Jacob, God’s servant, earned the people their reward in this world. And here's the really thought-provoking part: this reward was given precisely so that the wicked would receive no reward in the world to come.
It’s a fascinating and somewhat challenging idea. It suggests a divine calculus, a cosmic balancing of scales where acts of kindness have profound implications for the distribution of justice.
The text provides an example: "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Aram… because by him the Lord had given victory unto Aram" (2 Kings 5:1). Naaman, a powerful figure in Aram, received victory through God. This, according to this understanding, was his reward in this world, leaving nothing for him in the world to come.
So, what are we to make of this?
Is it fair that some receive their reward in this world, forfeiting a future reward? Perhaps the message isn’t about fairness in a simplistic sense, but about the immediate impact of kindness. The people who celebrated with Jacob weren't thinking about cosmic justice; they were simply being good neighbors.
Maybe, just maybe, the takeaway is this: Do good, be kind, and let the divine sort out the rest. Focus on the chesed, the loving-kindness, in the here and now. Because, as the story of Jacob's wedding reminds us, even the smallest acts of goodness can ripple through eternity, impacting not only our lives but the very fabric of divine justice.