The Pursuit of Truth

The Pursuit of Truth has been the passion of philosophers, preachers, scholars, scientists, and countless others throughout the ages. What is truth and how does one find it? The American Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." In Pursuit of Truth, W. V. Quine says, "The pursuit of truth is a quest that links observation, theory, and the world." This week's Torah portion is Parashah Vayeitzei. Parashah Vayeitzei consists of Genesis 28:10 to 32:3. Vayeitzei means, "And He Went Out." In this Torah portion, Jacob escapes from his wicked brother, Esau and flees toward Haran: [Genesis 28:10 RSV] "10 Jacob left Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran." Jacob encounters something in his flight from Beer-sheba towards Haran. His flight was for the pursuit of truth. In his pursuit of truth, he came to a certain place: [Genesis 28:11 RSV] "11 And he came to a certain place, and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep." What is this certain place? This certain place is the place of truth. Jacob arrived at the place of truth. I would personally like to invite you to join me on this journey.