World Mizrachi Weekly Parsha Newsletter
Back to the Weekly Parsha Newsletter List
VayishlachPublished: 10/Dec/08 |
Parshat Vayishlach
Rav Yuval Cherlow
Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivat Hesder Petach Tikva
At the moment when Yaakov heard that Esav was coming to meet him, he was filled with fear and anxiety. This anxiety causes him to act in three ways: to send gifts to Esav to appease him, to prepare for a military battle, and to pray to the Ribbono Shel Olam. The fact that Yaakov Avinu prayed is perfectly comprehensible – he prayed at a time of trouble. However, the content of his prayer is problematic. In the words of his prayer, he turns to the Ribbono Shel Olam as if he has forgotten everything that Hakadosh Baruch Hu has promised him. As mentioned in last week's Parsha, the Ribbono Shel Olam revealed Himself to Yaakov in the dream of the ladder, and promised him that He would be with him for his entire journey, protect him, care for his needs and return him to his forefathers' land. Not only this, but before he left Charan, he received explicit instruction from Hakadosh Baruch Hu to return and the promise that He would care for him. Why, therefore, does Yaakov Avinu pray and beg for assistance?
This question was already asked by Chazal, and has been given many answers. From the abundance of answers, I think that the Abarbanel's answer is the closest to the simple understanding of the psukim. The Abarbanel asserts that Yaakov Avinu was afraid – simply because the situation he finds himself in is scary.Yaakov Avinu has a natural, human reaction to the realities which he encounters on his arrival to Eretz Yisrael, and every human being would be afraid if such a large military force was coming towards him, and he lacked the military ability to really compete against it.
The greatness of Yaakov Avinu is not manifest because he was not afraid. Rather, his greatness is because even though he was afraid, he was filled with feelings of emunah and bitachon (belief and faith), and then entered into war. The Abarbanel isn't satisfied with merely seeking to decipher the reason for Yaakov's fear. He switches the question and answer to identify a general principle of Judaism. In his opinion, Hakadosh Baruch Hu does not desire people who are superhuman, rather specifically those who are completely human, and from this 'human' basis they behave in the ways of faith. Hakadosh Baruch Hu is not interested in people who do not desire forbidden sexual relationships, rather those whose urges exist, and nevertheless abstain from sin; Hakadosh Baruch Hu is not interested in one who doesn’t care about his financial situation, rather with one who aspires to obtain the maximum financial wellbeing, and nevertheless opens his heart to the poor and shares his profits with others.
The patriarchs of our nation therefore teach us what type of a person the Torah is speaking to. It is a person who is living in the derech eretz of reality, that is human, filled with sensitivity, aspirations, desires and a world-view, and his greatness lies in that he incorporates all of these aspects into his Jewish journey – of doing the will of Our Father in Heaven.
News & Events
NEW PROGRAM - Halacha Yomit program
Our latest program – beginning Chanukah 5769 – World Mizrachi's Halacha Yomit program. Join us in this worldwide learning initiative… sign up beginning shortly!
World Mizrachi Heritage Tour #8 – India
To join the waiting list, email daniel@worldmizrachi.org NOW!!
Mumbai – Rajastan – Agra – Delhi; 9-19 February 2009. To see the program, visit our website - www.mizrachi.org .
Personals
Please advise us of all good news and sad news that you care to share with others, else we cannot post it – email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org .
Refuah Sheleimah– World Mizrachi wishes a Refuah Sheleimah to Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Shlita, Mordechai Tzemach Ben Mazal Tov (Former Chief Rabbi of Israel.)
Refuah Sheleimah– World Mizrachi wishes a Refuah Sheleimah to Myron Sokal, Meir Menachem ben Blima.
Refuah Sheleimah– World Mizrachi wishes a Refuah Sheleimah to Jerry Rosenfeld.
Israelat 60 Greeting Cards
World Mizrachi are proud to offer 6 blank greeting cards on the occasion of Israel at 60 to send to others to increase the awareness of this monumental occasion. To order sets email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org
Sefer Torah Dedication
World Mizrachi is writing a Sefer Torah to honor its long-time World Chairman Mr. Kurt Rothschild, who has dedicated his life to Eretz Yisrael, Am Yisrael & Torat Yisrael. We invite you to join us in this endeavor. Full details available at: www.mizrachi.org
Book of the Month
From the Book of the Month club – proudly brought to you by World Mizrachi & Urim Publications:
For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People: Essays and Studies on Israel, Jews and Judaism: http://www.urimpublications.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=UP&Product_Code=LoveOfIsrael&Category_Code=aaa
Covenantal Imperatives: Essays by Walter S Wurzburger on Jewish Law, Thought and Community:
