Mikketz 5772: Jacob Says "Enough!"

In Genesis 43:14, Jacob says to his sons, "May El Shaddai (God Almighty) give you mercy." Why did Jacob see fit to invoke this particular name of God? He used this name to indicate that more than enough afflictions had come upon him. (The word "dai" in Hebrew means “Enough!”) His trial and tribulations were, indeed, numerous. While he was yet in his mother's womb, Esau strove with him. When he fled from Esau to Laban, he spent twenty years there in many kinds of distress. After he left, Laban pursued him in order to slay him. As soon as he was delivered from Laban, Esau came and sought to slay him, and because of Esau he had to give up a huge tribute [of cattle, camels, and so on]. After he extricated himself from Esau, the distress with Dinah befell him. After that crisis, there was the distress of Rachel['s death]. After such a chain of suffering, he wanted a little repose, but then there befell him the problems involving Joseph, Simeon, and Benjamin. That is why Jacob invoked the name Shaddai (Almighty)," as if to say: May He who said to heaven and earth, "Enough!" say also to my affliction, "Enough!"