Results tagged ‘ Vayishlach #3 ’
Vayishlach #3
Vayishlach
In this
week’s parsha (chapter 33) Yaakov meets up with his brother Eisav.
week’s parsha (chapter 33) Yaakov meets up with his brother Eisav.
The
torah (33;4) relates that as soon as Eisav saw Yaakov that he “ran toward him,
and he embraced him, and fell upon his neck, and kissed him.” Rashi (33;4)
relates that according to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai Eisav kissed Yaakov with all
his heart. However, Eisav hated Yaakov and sought to kill him! What happened
that made Eisav suddenly love Yaakov when he had hated him?
torah (33;4) relates that as soon as Eisav saw Yaakov that he “ran toward him,
and he embraced him, and fell upon his neck, and kissed him.” Rashi (33;4)
relates that according to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai Eisav kissed Yaakov with all
his heart. However, Eisav hated Yaakov and sought to kill him! What happened
that made Eisav suddenly love Yaakov when he had hated him?
Additionally,
the torah (33;9) relates that Eisav told Yaakov: “I have a lot, my brother; let
what you have remain yours.” However, the torah (33;10) then relates that Yaakov
attempted to flatter Eisav with more gifts as he said: “If I have now found
favor in your eyes, then accept my tribute from me.” Why did Yaakov try to get
Eisav to accept his gifts if Eisav clearly said that he didn’t need them?
the torah (33;9) relates that Eisav told Yaakov: “I have a lot, my brother; let
what you have remain yours.” However, the torah (33;10) then relates that Yaakov
attempted to flatter Eisav with more gifts as he said: “If I have now found
favor in your eyes, then accept my tribute from me.” Why did Yaakov try to get
Eisav to accept his gifts if Eisav clearly said that he didn’t need them?
Furthermore,
the torah (33;10) relates that Yaakov told Eisav that seeing his face was like
“seeing the face of a Divine being.” Rashi (33;10) explains that Yaakov was
telling Eisav that seeing his face was like seeing the face of an angel.
However, surely Yaakov didn’t believe that Eisav was comparable to an angel! Why
did Yaakov lie to Eisav?
the torah (33;10) relates that Yaakov told Eisav that seeing his face was like
“seeing the face of a Divine being.” Rashi (33;10) explains that Yaakov was
telling Eisav that seeing his face was like seeing the face of an angel.
However, surely Yaakov didn’t believe that Eisav was comparable to an angel! Why
did Yaakov lie to Eisav?
Further,
the torah (32;6) relates that Yaakov told Eisav that he had cattle and slaves.
Rashi (32;6) explains that Yaakov was telling Eisav that the blessings in which
he received from Yitzchak didn’t even come true (as the blessing said: “From the
dew of the heavens and from the fatness of the land”-however, cattle and slaves
come neither from the heavens nor from land). However, how could Yaakov seem to
belittle the power of the firstborn blessings by saying they haven’t come true?
the torah (32;6) relates that Yaakov told Eisav that he had cattle and slaves.
Rashi (32;6) explains that Yaakov was telling Eisav that the blessings in which
he received from Yitzchak didn’t even come true (as the blessing said: “From the
dew of the heavens and from the fatness of the land”-however, cattle and slaves
come neither from the heavens nor from land). However, how could Yaakov seem to
belittle the power of the firstborn blessings by saying they haven’t come true?
Moreover,
the torah (27;11-13) relates that Rivkah had to persuade Yaakov into tricking
Yitzchak and getting the blessings. In contrast, when Eisav found out that
Yaakov had taken the blessings he cried out an exceedingly great and bitter cry
(27;34). Could it really be that Eisav valued the blessings more than
Yaakov?
the torah (27;11-13) relates that Rivkah had to persuade Yaakov into tricking
Yitzchak and getting the blessings. In contrast, when Eisav found out that
Yaakov had taken the blessings he cried out an exceedingly great and bitter cry
(27;34). Could it really be that Eisav valued the blessings more than
Yaakov?
Lastly,
the torah (27;36) relates that Eisav asked Yitzchak after he found out that
Yaakov had taken the blessings: “Have you not reserved a blessing for me.” To
which Yitzchak responded (27;37): “for you, where-what can I do, my son?” Eisav
then asked a second time (27;38) “Is there but one blessing to you, Father?
Bless me too, Father! And Eisav raised his voice and wept.” The torah (27;39)
then relates that Yitzchak blessed Eisav. However, Yitzchak had told Eisav that
he had no more blessings to give and then he gave him a blessing very similar to
Yaakov! What happened?
the torah (27;36) relates that Eisav asked Yitzchak after he found out that
Yaakov had taken the blessings: “Have you not reserved a blessing for me.” To
which Yitzchak responded (27;37): “for you, where-what can I do, my son?” Eisav
then asked a second time (27;38) “Is there but one blessing to you, Father?
Bless me too, Father! And Eisav raised his voice and wept.” The torah (27;39)
then relates that Yitzchak blessed Eisav. However, Yitzchak had told Eisav that
he had no more blessings to give and then he gave him a blessing very similar to
Yaakov! What happened?
Rabbi
Yochanan Zweig explains that we could see from the fact that Yaakov said “I have
everything” (33;11) that he had a real sense of eternity. Eisav on the other
hand said “Look, I am going to die” (25;32). We see from there that Eisav was in
touch with his sense of mortality. Now, what’s the difference between one being
in touch with their sense of eternity verses their sense of mortality? Rabbi
Zweig explains that a person who senses they are mortal views themselves as
being lower and lower every
Yochanan Zweig explains that we could see from the fact that Yaakov said “I have
everything” (33;11) that he had a real sense of eternity. Eisav on the other
hand said “Look, I am going to die” (25;32). We see from there that Eisav was in
touch with his sense of mortality. Now, what’s the difference between one being
in touch with their sense of eternity verses their sense of mortality? Rabbi
Zweig explains that a person who senses they are mortal views themselves as
being lower and lower every
day.
Such a person will feel dead even when they are alive and will chase money as a
means to measure their life. When a person feels empty inside they will seek
money in order to define and feel as though they exist. In contrast, a person
who is in touch with their sense of eternity and knows that they exist simply
views money as a tool to enhance their life. We therefore understand why Eisav
wanted as much money as possible and said “I have a lot” (33;9) as he defined
himself through his money. Yaakov on the other hand was happy with his lot and
said (33;11) “I have everything” because he viewed money simply as a way to
enhance his life.
Such a person will feel dead even when they are alive and will chase money as a
means to measure their life. When a person feels empty inside they will seek
money in order to define and feel as though they exist. In contrast, a person
who is in touch with their sense of eternity and knows that they exist simply
views money as a tool to enhance their life. We therefore understand why Eisav
wanted as much money as possible and said “I have a lot” (33;9) as he defined
himself through his money. Yaakov on the other hand was happy with his lot and
said (33;11) “I have everything” because he viewed money simply as a way to
enhance his life.
Similarly,
Rabbi Zweig explains that if one gives honor to a person who feels dead inside
then they automatically gain control over that person. And why is that? Rabbi
Zweig explains that honor lifts up a person and makes them feel good. However,
honor could only come from others-not onself. Meaning, no one is able to control
whether or not they receive honor from others. Therefore, a person who feels
dead and receives honor will feel as though they need that honor to continue
living and they will be willing to give up complete control over themselves to
the person who gives them honor.
Rabbi Zweig explains that if one gives honor to a person who feels dead inside
then they automatically gain control over that person. And why is that? Rabbi
Zweig explains that honor lifts up a person and makes them feel good. However,
honor could only come from others-not onself. Meaning, no one is able to control
whether or not they receive honor from others. Therefore, a person who feels
dead and receives honor will feel as though they need that honor to continue
living and they will be willing to give up complete control over themselves to
the person who gives them honor.
Further,
Rabbi Zweig explains that Yitzchak thought that Eisav would support Yaakov in
his learning and therefore planned on only giving Eisav the blessings. However,
once Yitzchak found out that Yaakov took the material blessings he also blessed
Eisav so that he would be able to make money as he thought Eisav would be a
better fit at making money. Meaning, in his mind Yitzchak took part of the
blessing away from Yaakov and gave it to Eisav as he felt it would be a lot
easier for Eisav to make a lot of money.
Yaakov however still maintained the part of the blessing which gave him power
and kingship.
Rabbi Zweig explains that Yitzchak thought that Eisav would support Yaakov in
his learning and therefore planned on only giving Eisav the blessings. However,
once Yitzchak found out that Yaakov took the material blessings he also blessed
Eisav so that he would be able to make money as he thought Eisav would be a
better fit at making money. Meaning, in his mind Yitzchak took part of the
blessing away from Yaakov and gave it to Eisav as he felt it would be a lot
easier for Eisav to make a lot of money.
Yaakov however still maintained the part of the blessing which gave him power
and kingship.
Similarly,
Rabbi Zweig explains that when Yaakov told Eisav that the blessings he had
received from Yitzchak didn’t come true-he wasn’t belittling the power of the
blessings. Rather, he was simply telling Eisav that the monetary portion of the
blessings belonged to him and that he had no desire for them (as he had
“everything”).
Rabbi Zweig explains that when Yaakov told Eisav that the blessings he had
received from Yitzchak didn’t come true-he wasn’t belittling the power of the
blessings. Rather, he was simply telling Eisav that the monetary portion of the
blessings belonged to him and that he had no desire for them (as he had
“everything”).
Now,
Rabbi Zweig explains that Eisav cried out an exceedingly great and bitter cry
(27;34) when he found out that Yaakov had taken the blessings because he got his
whole sense of existence from money and therefore felt dead when he found out
that Yaakov had taken away his blessing to be rich. Yaakov on the other hand
didn’t feel a need to have a great amount of money as he simply viewed money as
a tool to enhance his life-not the meaning of his life itself. As a result,
Rabbi Zweig explains that Yaakov needed Rivkah to persuade him into tricking
Yitzchak and receiving the blessings whereas Eisav desired the blessings so much
that he cried out an exceedingly great and bitter cry.
Rabbi Zweig explains that Eisav cried out an exceedingly great and bitter cry
(27;34) when he found out that Yaakov had taken the blessings because he got his
whole sense of existence from money and therefore felt dead when he found out
that Yaakov had taken away his blessing to be rich. Yaakov on the other hand
didn’t feel a need to have a great amount of money as he simply viewed money as
a tool to enhance his life-not the meaning of his life itself. As a result,
Rabbi Zweig explains that Yaakov needed Rivkah to persuade him into tricking
Yitzchak and receiving the blessings whereas Eisav desired the blessings so much
that he cried out an exceedingly great and bitter cry.
Furthermore,
Rabbi Zweig explains that Yaakov offered Eisav presents even though he said that
he had a lot because he wanted to control Eisav in a non-violent manner through
his presents. Rabbi Zweig explains that
when a person flatters another who feels dead inside they then are able to gain
complete control over them. Therefore, Yaakov insisted on giving Eisav gifts
even though Eisav said he had a lot because he sought to gain control over him.
Rabbi Zweig explains that Yaakov offered Eisav presents even though he said that
he had a lot because he wanted to control Eisav in a non-violent manner through
his presents. Rabbi Zweig explains that
when a person flatters another who feels dead inside they then are able to gain
complete control over them. Therefore, Yaakov insisted on giving Eisav gifts
even though Eisav said he had a lot because he sought to gain control over him.
Lastly,
Rabbi Zweig explains that Eisav kissed Yaakov with all his heart as soon as he
saw him because Yaakov had given him a sense of existence before then as he had
sent him a lot of cattle (see: 32;14-19). By giving him a lot of cattle Yaakov
was in effect giving Eisav honor. It was then that Eisav felt that his whole
sense of existence was completely dependent upon Yaakov as without honor he felt
empty inside. As a result, as soon as Eisav saw Yaakov he ran to him and gave
him a kiss with all his
heart.
Rabbi Zweig explains that Eisav kissed Yaakov with all his heart as soon as he
saw him because Yaakov had given him a sense of existence before then as he had
sent him a lot of cattle (see: 32;14-19). By giving him a lot of cattle Yaakov
was in effect giving Eisav honor. It was then that Eisav felt that his whole
sense of existence was completely dependent upon Yaakov as without honor he felt
empty inside. As a result, as soon as Eisav saw Yaakov he ran to him and gave
him a kiss with all his
heart.
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