Parashat Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43 The Torah: A Modern Commentary W. Gunther Plaut, ed. pp. 217-237 CYCLE ONE
SUMMARY In this week's Torah portion, Vayislach, we read about the reunion between Jacob and his twin brother Esau. Twenty years earlier, Jacob fled their home in Canaan after cheating Esau, the first-born of the twins, out of his blessing and inheritance. Jacob left because he believed Esau wanted to kill him for what he had done.
On his way back to Canaan, Jacob has to pass through Seir, the territory controlled by Esau. Jacob sends ( literally vayishlach ) messengers to Esau to let him know that he is approaching. Jacob instructs his messengers to tell Esau that Jacob has spent the last twenty years working for their Uncle Laban and, through that relationship, has acquired many possessions. Jacob ends the message by stating that he hopes that he and his brother will meet in peace. Jacob's messengers return to inform him that Esau is already on his way accompanied by 400 men. Jacob is frightened by this news.
The night before his meeting with Esau, Jacob does three things. First, he divides his family and property into two camps hopeful that, should he and his brother battle, one of the two groups will survive. Next, Jacob prays for God's protection. Lastly, he selects gifts to give to Esau.
Jacob spends the night before the reunion alone. During that night Jacob wrestles with an unnamed eish (man ). The struggle lasts until dawn when finally the eish wrenches Jacob's hip from the socket. Despite the injury, Jacob refuses to release the eish until he gives Jacob a blessing. The blessing is a new name for Jacob. The eish names Jacob Israel saying to him you have wrestled with beings Divine and human and won (Genesis 32:29). Israel means one who struggles with God.
The moment of the reunion arrives. Jacob sends his gifts to Esau and then approaches his brother. Esau runs toward him and they hug each other and kiss. Esau does not want to accept the presents but finally does when Jacob says to him ...to see your face is like seeing the face of God .... (Genesis 33:10).
COMMENTARY Jacob wanted to return to Canaan, the place of his birth. He knew that this meant he would have to face his brother and the anger and pain which he, Jacob, had caused by stealing Esau's blessings. Jacob knew that this meeting would require great courage. The brothers had spent twenty years apart. During that time they both had the opportunity to consider everything that had happened - the lying, the tricks, the desire for revenge, the loss, the separation. Their reunion teaches us a special kind of heroism reflected in the following rabbinic sayings: Ayze hu gibor? Ha'oseh soneh oh ohavo. Who is a true hero? The one who turns an enemy into a friend. (Avot d'rabbi Natan, chapter 23) Ayze hu gibor? Ha'kovesh et yitzro. Who is a hero? One who conquers his or her impulses (Pirke Avot 4:1)
TABLE TALK
How is Jacob a hero? How might Esau also be considered a hero?
Think about a disagreement you have had with someone that left you feeling hurt. What did you do to make up? What did you do with your hurt feelings?
How is it possible to conquer an impulse like anger? Fear? Greed?
Complete the following sentence Ayzeh hu gibor? Who is a hero? One who ______________.
Who are the Divine and human beings with whom Jacob struggled? What struggles did he win and how?
Jacob prepares himself in two ways to meet his brother. He prepares himself for war (by dividing his family and possessions) and he prepares himself for peace (by selecting gifts). How might you prepare to meet your enemy? How might you make your enemy your friend?
A few years ago, Yitzhak Rabin z'l and Yasir Arafat shook hands. How were they heroic?
Each of is a child of Israel. Describe your struggle with God.
DID YOU KNOW... our traditional greeting to each other on Shabbat is Shabbat Shalom. This means we greet each other with a wish for peace. After twenty years, Jacob and Esau might have been able to use these exact words. This Shabbat share with the members of your family your feelings of shalom/peace.
This week's Shabbat Table Talk was written by Barbara Binder Kadden. She is the regional educator for the Northern California and Pacific Northwest councils of the UAHC. She welcomes Shabbat each week with her family in Salinas, California.
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