<p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">Two amazing passages appear in this week's Torah portion and both of them teach us much about the power of love.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">At the beginning of the parasha, we read that Rachel Imeinu comes to water her flock at a well which is covered with a massive stone. Generally speaking, a combined effort of several shepherds is needed to move this stone from the mouth of the well. But what happens when Ya'akov takes one look at Rachel? "When Ya'akov saw Rachel . . . he went up and rolled the stone off the mouth of the well." Suddenly the heavy stone becomes light. Inspired by the sight of Rachel, Ya'akov virtually defies the law of gravity itself.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">Afterwards, Ya'akov works seven years in order to marry Rachel, and this period is described in the following beautiful verse: "So Ya'akov worked seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her." Once again we see how love vanquishes an arduous challenge: Seven years pass like a few days. If previously the law of gravity was defied, now the idea of time is rendered meaningless. </span><br><br><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">The connection between Ya'akov and Rachel reminds us of the power of love, of human connection, of those individuals who awaken us, inspire us, and give us extraordinary strength. There are people who clip our wings and others who give us wings. By whose side should we choose to live?</span></p>