Parashat Vayishlach

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Parashat Vayishlach

Contents

Meeting Esav

Messengers to Esav

Yackov sent real angels[1] ahead of him as messengers to his brother Esov to the land of Seir, the field of Edom. They were to Esav how Yackov has lived as a guest with Lavan. He had not been made an officer or a dignitary but had remained a stranger in their land, unlike Yitzchak's blessing that Yackov would become a master over his brothers and was therefore not worth hating him since it had not been fulfilled.[2]. Additionally by using the word 'גרתי' which has a numerical equivalence of 613, Yackov was informing Esov, that despite having lived with the wicked Lavan he had kept the 613 commandments, and I did not learn from his evil deeds, therefore he had protection on his side.[2]


Due to all this Yackov had been held up until this point from returning. There he had acquired oxen and donkeys, flocks, servants, and maidservants which were neither from the from the heavens or earth not matching Yitzchok's blessing “of the dew of the heavens and the fatness of the earth”.[3] He was now sending the messengers to inform Esov that Yackov was coming to him[3] in peace and seeking his love[3] so he may find favor in Esov's eyes.

The angels returned to Yackov, informing him how Esav, whom he had called his 'brother' was still behaving like the 'wicked Esav' and with great hatred[4] was advancing to attack him along with 400 men.

Preparations for Meeting

Yackov became very frightened that he might be killed and distressed he might have to kill others.[5] Yackov prepared himself for three things: for a gift, war and prayer.

Division of the Camp

He divided the people who were with him, the flocks, cattle and camels into two camps. This way if Esav would come and strike one camp, the remaining camp will escape against his will, for Yackov planed to wage war with him.[6]

The Prayer

Yackov then prayed to Hashem calling Him the G-d of his fathers Avraham and Yitzchak and reminding Him of His two promises; the first when he originally left Beer Sheva[7] and Hashem promised Yackov that He will guard him wherever he goes and be good to him in his own merit and in merit of his forefathers.[8]. Hashem said He would multiply his offspring to be as numerous as the dust of the earth and as He had promised Avraham[8] also like the sand of the sea which can not be counted due to its quantity. A second promise had been given to him by Lavan's house when Hashem command him to return to Eretz Yisroel[9] and has said that He will be with him.[10] It was based on these two promises that he was praying.[9]

Despite this, Yockov then described how he feared that his merits had diminished[11] because from all the kindnesses that Hashem had given him and truth of the promises being fulfilled[11]. During his arrival Yackov had crossed the Jordan River only with this staff and no possession of money and livestock[11] and now he had multiplied into two camps. He also took this opportunity to thank Hashem for allowing him to split the Jordan with his staff and cross thorough it. Yackov was now fearful that he had sinned since the time of the promises and that might cause him to be delivered into Esav's hands.[11]

Yackov beseeched Hashem to save him from the hand of Esav who behaves wicked and not like a brother[12] and he is afraid that he will come to strike him along with all his wives and children.

The Gift

On that night Yackov set up camp where he was. He then gathered from his possessions[13] what came in his hand as a gift to give Esav. This included precious gemstones that can be carried in one's hand.[13]

The gift of Esav was the same aspect as the other offerings given to the Other Side like Mayim Achronim and the Goat of Azazel given on Yom Kippor[14]

Space Between the Flocks

Yackov knew that the time was not ready to fight Esav and if done now he would loose, he therefore spread out the fight over time. By giving Esav the gift, he was in essence handing Edom and the Yetzer Hara the ability to prosecute the Jews over the years.[15] By placing spaces between the flocks, Yackov managed to invoke a great leniency in this oppression; that going forward even amidst the suffering there would always be breaks and good elements as well. The main suffering is the exaggeration of the situation, where one's mind becomes confounded, feeling like he is being attacked from every direction with absolutely no relief, leading to the feeling of helplessness, causing him to giving up, despair and not be able to cry out to Hashem, which in turn continues to intensifies the suffering. This is even greater than then the actual suffering itself and is the main tool of the Yetzer Hara. Now after Yackov's achievement, one would be able to analyze the situation and break it up in his mind, seeing how even the suffering is limited and that Hashem is also providing good elements and spacing even amidst the suffering, allowing him to cry out to Hashem, survive and move forward.[16] ּ

Crossing of Yabok

Fighting the Angel

The Meeting

Incident of Dena

Succot

Settling in Shecehm

Kidnapping of Dena

The Deal

Vengeance of Shimon and Levy

Bet El

Passing of Devorah

Blessing of Yisroel

Passing of Rachel

Incident of Reuvain

Passing of Yitzchak

Genealogy of Edom

Genealogy of Esav

Genealogy of Seir

Kings of Edom

Chieftains of Esov

References

  1. ^ Rashi Berashis 32:4
  2. ^ a b Rashi Berashis 32:5
  3. ^ a b c Rashi Berashis 32:6
  4. ^ Rashi Berashis 32:7
  5. ^ Rashi Berashis 32:8
  6. ^ Rashi Berashis 32:9
  7. ^ Berashis 28:13
  8. ^ a b Rashi Berashis 32:13
  9. ^ a b Rashi Berashis 32:10
  10. ^ Berashis 31:5
  11. ^ a b c d Rashi Berashis 32:11
  12. ^ Rashi Berashis 32:12
  13. ^ a b Rashi Berashis 32:14
  14. ^ Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Rosh Chodesh 7:52
  15. ^ Shover Zadim Parashat Vayishlach
  16. ^ Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Kilay Behama 4:8
 
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