Reflections on Parashat Vayishlach: Navigating Our World with Faith and Action

Good morning everyone! As we approach Shabbos and Parashat Vayishlach, my thoughts are with the world we live in today – a world brimming with constant developments and events. We pray for Moshiach's swift arrival, for the release of the hostages, the safety of our soldiers, and for the security of Eretz Yisrael to be guaranteed by Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

Indeed, as we say, "Hine lo yehud," and as we witness so many new developments, one must be blind not to see the divine intervention at play. Powers that seemed invincible are suddenly crumbling. This leads us to wonder: What does Hakadosh Baruch Hu expect of us?

This week's Parsha, Vayishlach, describes the reunion of Yaakov and Esav after over 30 years of separation. It's a terrifying encounter that takes place not in exile, but in Eretz Yisrael, as Yaakov returns. He is extremely afraid, and we must ask: Why is Yaakov so afraid? Doesn't he know that Hakadosh Baruch Hu is protecting him?

This encounter offers profound lessons on how we, as Yisrael, confront the surrounding nations, both in Eretz Yisrael and in galut (exile). How should we react? How should we behave?

Yaakov's Three Approaches: Gifts, Prayer, and Preparation

Chazal teaches us that as Yaakov prepares to meet Esav, he employs three distinct approaches:

1. Doron (Gifts): He sends numerous gifts, seeking to find favor in Esav's eyes.

2. Tefillah (Prayer): He prays with immense devotion, detailing his requests to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

3. Milchama (Preparation for War): He prepares for a potential conflict, dividing his camp into two.

This division, as Chazal points out, has always been a theme in our history. Hashem, in His immense kindness, has never placed us all in one country. When one Jewish community was attacked, there were always other places for Jews to escape, as seen during the expulsion from Spain or World War Two. This strategic dispersion is a lesson we learn from Yaakov.

Yaakov's Humility and the Meaning of "Garti"

As an introduction to Lavan, Yaakov famously declared, "Do not be jealous of me. You have nothing to envy." He continued, "I lived with Lavan." Rashi interprets the word "Garti" (I dwelled) as "taryag mitzvot" (613 mitzvot). Yaakov was telling Lavan, and later Esav, that even in exile, his sole purpose and ambition was to keep the 613 mitzvot. He acknowledges that perhaps he couldn't keep everything perfectly (for instance, he married two sisters before Matan Torah, which Chazal explains was permissible outside Eretz Yisrael).

Yaakov also tells Esav, "Yesh li Shor va Chamor" (I have an ox and a donkey). Chazal explains this isn't about literal animals but spiritual strength. The "ox" alludes to the birth of Yosef. When Yosef was born, Hakadosh Baruch Hu told Yaakov he could now return to Eretz Yisrael. As we read in this week's Haftarah, "The house of Yaakov will be a fire, and the house of Yosef a flame, and the house of Esav for stubble." Yosef represents the spark that can ignite and consume Esav. Yaakov is telling Esav not to envy him, as his true wealth is spiritual, not material.

Submission or Resistance? The Debate of the Sages

Our Sages ponder a crucial question: Yaakov behaved with great humility, bowing seven times to Esav and declaring himself Esav's servant. Is this the correct attitude? Must we be submissive to non-Jews who wish to attack us? Or should we stand firm and fight?

The Ramban teaches that "Maasei Avot Siman L'Banim" – the actions of our forefathers are a sign for their descendants. He says that Yaakov's three approaches (gifts, prayer, and war preparation) serve as a lesson for us in exile. We first try to appease, then we pray, and sometimes, we prepare for war. However, the Ramban questions Yaakov's decision to send gifts and be so submissive, suggesting it might have provoked Esav. He compares it to pulling a sleeping dog's ear – who said Esav was still angry?

The Kli Yakar offers a different perspective. He compares Am Yisrael to two trees: the cedar, which stands tall and proud, and the willow, which sways in the wind. Bilaam the prophet compared us to cedars, while Achiya HaShiloni compared us to willows. The Kli Yakar asks which is the greater blessing. While the cedar is strong, a powerful wind can uproot it entirely. The willow, however, bends with the wind because its roots are deeply planted in the water, allowing it to spring back up after the storm.

There are times in history, the Kli Yakar explains, when we must submit to divine decrees, as seen during the destruction of the Second Beis Hamikdash with Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai. As Rav Menachem Mendel Schneerson (the Lubavitcher Rebbe) said during World War Two, there are times when Hashem does not give us the means to save ourselves, and we must accept it.

However, there are also times when we must prepare for war and fight, especially when there's a possibility of victory. We are compared to the stars of heaven (good times), dust (when dispersed), and sand (when we unify to resist waves of attack). Yaakov teaches us to unite and prepare for war when necessary.

The Spiritual Battle and the "Pachim Ketanim"

Before meeting Esav, Yaakov crosses the Yabok River with his family. He then returns, remembering he left behind "pachim ketanim" (small bottles). Chazal says this demonstrates a tzaddik's appreciation for everything Hashem gives them, even seemingly insignificant objects. It's not stinginess, but profound gratitude.

A deeper Midrash says these "pachim ketanim" refer to a small flask of oil, an allusion to the miracle of Chanukah. This oil was no ordinary oil; it was passed down from Noah, who pressed olives from the dove's branch as a sign of gratitude for the new world. This precious oil, symbolizing enduring gratitude and spiritual resilience, was passed from generation to generation, eventually used to anoint kings and keep the Menorah lit. Yaakov knew he had to retrieve this symbolic oil, even at great personal risk.

This teaches us that in times of darkness and struggle for survival, we must never give up. We must continue fighting, because it is our continued struggle that builds a better future. Yaakov's wrestling with the angel was a spiritual battle, a fight for the future of his descendants.

Yosef: The Power of "Yosef Li" (Adding On)

The power of Yosef, who confronts Esav, lies in his ability to overcome him. Esav is compared to hay – vast but easily consumed by fire. Rachel, when Yosef was born, said, "Hashem Yosef li ben acher" (May Hashem add for me another son). Chazal explains that "Yosef" teaches us the importance of adding on – of making an extra effort, of striving for more purity and spirituality. Adding five minutes to bringing in Shabbos early, performing an extra mitzvah – this "extra effort" is what gives us the strength to overcome our enemies.

This is beautifully highlighted in the Haftarah this week from the book of Ovadia. Ovadia, a convert from Esav's lineage, was the only prophet with the power to prophesy against Esav. In times of persecution, Ovadia hid 100 prophets, using all his wealth to sustain them. His widow, later, faced the king's demand for her children as slaves but refused, choosing spiritual integrity over financial security. Through the prophet Elisha, she was miraculously blessed with an abundance of oil, allowing her to pay her debts.

This story teaches us what we are truly fighting for: our spiritual identity, our "Kedusha" (sanctity). We must remember that often, "VaYivater Levado" – we are alone, but we have Hakadosh Baruch Hu. When we fight, and when we "add on" by doing more, Hakadosh Baruch Hu performs tremendous miracles for us, just as at Chanukah.

A Modern-Day Miracle of Kindness

I heard a wonderful story this week that beautifully illustrates this principle. A poor couple with a large family lived in a small apartment. When an adjacent apartment went up for sale, they decided to renovate it and rent it out for income.

The first day they advertised, a 90-year-old woman showed up early in the morning, immediately wanted the apartment, and moved in. She was sociable and connected with everyone, especially this couple. After four months, she told them she could no longer pay rent. The couple, despite their own financial struggles, couldn't bring themselves to evict an elderly widow. They allowed her to stay for six months without paying, trusting that Hashem would provide.

After six months, she collapsed in a supermarket and passed away a few days later. When the couple entered their apartment, they found a will. The will stated that she had no family and had moved there to test them. She had money all along, and seeing their honesty, truthfulness, and kindness, she decided to leave them everything she had – a three-room apartment in Tel Aviv, inherited from her late husband.

They had lost a few months of rent, but because of their mitzvah of kindness and care for an old widow, they received far more in return. They received a lawyer's confirmation of their inheritance. This story reminds us that when you do a mitzvah, you can only gain.

Have a wonderful Shabbos, and may we only share good news!

All My Love from Yerushalayim.