In Parshas Vayeitzei, the Torah relates that Yaakov left Beer Sheva in Eretz Yisrael to journey to Lavan's home in Charan. As he began his departure from Eretz Yisrael, "he encountered the place." (28:11) Afterwards, the Torah relates that he arrived at Lavan's home, where he worked for 20 years, married, and raised his family. And the parshah concludes describing his return to Eretz Yisrael, when he was "met by angels of G-d." (32:2)

As mentioned above, all of these events are relevant and serve as directives for every Jew. The mission of every Jew is to leave Eretz Yisrael, and "the tents of Shem and Ever," i.e., its environment of Torah scholarship, for the intent of the study is "to bring to deed." This involves going to Charan, a place associated with the arousal of G-d's anger, i.e., to go out to the very hub of the world. There one will encounter Lavan, the Aramite, and one's service will involve elevating the sparks of holiness, which he possesses. And in such an environment, a Jew must establish "a perfect progeny."

If a person follows this course of action, the journey to Charan will not involve a genuine descent. Instead, "the man [will have] prodigious success" in both material and spiritual matters. And ultimately, as one returns to Eretz Yisrael, he will be "met by the angels of G-d."

The Zohar contrasts Yaakov's departure for Charan with his departure for Eretz Yisrael and explains: Before Yaakov went to Charan to work and raise his family, it is written: "And he encountered the place." Although he had studied much Torah in the School of Ever, it was he who journeyed to and sought "the place," i.e., the place where G-dliness was revealed.

Moreover, the revelation of G-dliness he received came only in a dream. After completing his mission in Charan which involved working, marrying, and raising his family, he was "met by angels of G-d," the angels - and G-d Himself as it were - sought him out and encountered him. And this revelation did not come in a dream, but was instead perceived while he was awake. (The Midrash states that he was met by 600,000 angels or 1,200,000 angels. The Zohar, the inner dimension of the Torah, reveals the inner dimension of this experience, and explains that it was G-d Himself who was revealed to him.) Similar concepts apply with regard to every Jew. As long as he is in Eretz Yisrael,

i.e., involved in matters of holiness, with his own concerns, regardless of the heights to which he can reach, he cannot attain the peaks to which he can ascend after his journey to

Charan, working with the world, drawing Jews close to their heritage, making them Jews as it were.

Birth is your beginning. It is a window to the chance of a lifetime, the chance to fulfill your unique mission. So a birthday is a momentous occasion, to be commemorated just as a nation commemorates its birth or as an organization celebrates its founding. Still, it is much more than an occasion to receive gifts. It is the chance to remember the day that a major event occurred, to celebrate and give thanks and to reflect upon how well we are fulfilling our calling.

Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that G-d invested in you at birth is present once again. It is your duty to be receptive to that force. How do we do so? By committing to a life guided by G-d's will, and by using the abilities and resources we were born with to perfect ourselves and society, and to make the world a good and sacred home for G-d.