Parshas Vayishlach 5765

On the way home from Laban's house, Jacob received word that Esau was coming towards him with an army. He understood that Esau's hatred had not abated over the past thirty-four years, since they had last seen each other.

Jacob prepared for his meeting with Esau in three ways: He first sent a gift to Esau, he prayed to G-d for assistance, and he planned a military strategy.

The gift was meant to appease Esau's enmity. Jacob wanted to show that he would share his material success with Esau, and that he was not trying to usurp his brother's blessing for his own material gain. Yet Jacob was realistic too. In the event that Esau would not be placated by the gift, Jacob realized he must prepare for war. He divided his camp into two parts. If one camp would be attacked, the other would always be able to flee to safety, thereby ensuring Jacob's survival.

But even after both of these precautions were taken, Jacob realized that ultimate salvation was dependent upon the Al-mighty. He therefore prayed for G-d's protection from the dangers of Esau.

Jacob's concern about his future was a valid one. The night before the meeting, after taking his family across the river, Jacob returned to retrieve some small pitchers he had forgotten behind. While alone, an angel fought with Jacob until morning. The Talmud identifies this angel as the spiritual force of Esau. The struggle actually foreshadowed the physical meeting Jacob would encounter the next day with Esau. The angel could not win over Jacob, but he did wound Jacob's thigh. The commentators understand the symbolism of the thigh as a reference to Jacob's children, thereby threatening Jacob's survival. Jacob would not let the angel go until he blessed him. This was Esau's admission and recognition of Jacob's rights to their father's blessings. The angel named Jacob "Israel", meaning that he was victorious in his quest over the angel.

The following day Esau did have a change of heart and let Jacob return home in peace.

Jacob's challenges were not yet over, though. His daughter Dinah was attacked, and Rachel, his wife, died in childbirth shortly before he returned home. Jacob decided to bury her near Bethlehem, instead of in Chevron with the other Patriarchs and Matriarchs. He wanted to allow his descendants to be able to pray by her tomb during their exile from Jerusalem. Rachel's tomb remains a special place to pray for our needs until this day.

" ...Jacob was left alone..." (Gen. 32:25)

The Rabbis comment that Jacob returned by himself to retrieve some small pitchers he had forgotten, since the righteous value their belongings and are careful not to waste them.

Rabbi Moshe Lieber explains that when people are asked why they work so hard, the answer is usually in order to eat and provide shelter. When pressed why that is important, they respond that eating is necessary to live. When challenged why is living important, the answer is in order to serve G-d!

Unfortunately our lives do not necessarily reflect this goal, and it often seems somewhat secondary to the goal of eating and other physical pleasures. The righteous, however, live accordingly. They value their material possessions as a tool to achieve their spiritual goals.

Did you know...

The menorah for Chanukah should preferably be placed between 12-40 inches off the floor, since that is the height which would publicize the miracle best. If the menorah is placed above 40 inches it is still acceptable as long as it is lower than 30 feet from the ground level.

If a person lives in a hi-rise apartment building, if there are other windows facing the apartment at similar heights, one may put the menorah at the window, otherwise it should be placed inside the apartment, to be publicized among the household members.

A person may not light the menorah in his hand, or any other disqualified place, even if he moves it to a proper place afterwards.