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Overview
of the Torah Reading
To be read on Shabbat Vayishlach, 13 Kislev 5785/Dec.14
Torah: Genesis 32:4-36:43; Haftorah: Book of Obadia (who
was an Edomite convert!)
Vayishlach is the 8th Reading out of 12 in Genesis
and it contains 7458 letters, in 1976 words, in 153
verses
Yaacov sent messengers to Eisav, informing him of his
return. Eisav came to meet Yaacov, along with 400 men. Yaacov divided
his people into two camps, so that should Eisav attack, at least one camp
would survive. Yaacov sent gifts for Eisav. He then sent his wives, children
and possessions across the Jabbok River. During the night Yaacov wrestled
with an angel, who could not defeat him, so he touched Yaacov on the thigh,
dislocating his hip. At dawn, the angel blessed Yaacov, and changed his
name to Yisrael. Yaacov met with Eisav in reconciliation. Eisav went to
Seir. Yaacov separated from him and went to Shechem, where he purchased
Kever Yosef. Yaacov's daughter, Dina, was forcefully taken by Shechem,
who wanted to marry her. Yaacov, and Dina's brothers said they would permit
the union only if Shechem, along with every other male, would circumcise
himself. On the third day after their circumcision, when they were all
suffering, Shimon and Levi killed all the men and returned with Dina.
They left for Beth El, where Yaacov set up an altar to G-d. Rachel died
in childbirth on the road. Yitzchak died at the age of 180. The parsha
ends with the chronicles the family of Eisav, and the kings of Edom
 An
essay from Rabbi
Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here)
After Yaakov had a long conflict with his father in law Lavan, he has
a few days of rest and now is heading into a war situation again with
his brother Eisav. Yaakov's messengers tell him that Eisav is coming towards
him with 400 armed men.
What does Yaakov do about this? He talks about his animals. We know from
last week's portion that the majority of Yaakov's wealth came from sheep.
The verse says, "And the man grew greatly, he had many sheep"
(Bereishit/Genesis 30:43). The verse further says (and see Rashi) that
from the sale of the sheep Yaakov bought servants, maidservants, camels
and donkeys.
Why is it when Yaakov sends a message to Eisav he says, "I have oxen
and donkeys" (ibid. 32:6)?
The connotation of sheep is that of a follower, lack of ego, humility
and submission. On the other hand, an ox hints to power and strength
.
When Yaakov sends the message to Eisav, "I have oxen and donkeys",
he wanted to make a point. He wanted to tell Eisav about the great power
and merits he had accumulated in Charan in order to dissuade Eisav from
attacking his camp.
This is the reason Yaakov opens with, "I have oxen…", projecting
his strength, and only after does he mention the sheep, to hint that he
also has their attributes, that of nullification and submission. But to
who? To Eisav? No, not at all. His submission is to G-d! Yaacov is communicating
to Eisav that his great strength is not something that he personally acquired.
Rather it is Divine strength, the strength of kedusha, of holiness.
But what about the sheep? True, Yaakov prefacing oxen to sheep was necessary
when communicating his strength to Eisav. But Yaakov on his own, his inner
self, nothing has changed. His true and personal being is connected to
"many sheep", total nullification to the Holy One Blessed Be
He.
So it has to be with our mighty IDF warriors. When communicating to Hamas
we must be the absolute epitome of strength. Weakness does not work with
a ruthless enemy. But to ourselves we know that we are the children of
Israel. Our true strength comes from our tradition; faith and submission
to G-d, the protector of Israel.
[Adapted from Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Likkutei Sichot ("Collected
Talks"). Volume 15. Pp 752, as reprinted in Hitkashrut ]
Shabbat Shalom, Shaul
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here)
For last year's essay by Rabbi Leiter on this week's
Reading, see the archive.
FROM
THE SAGES OF KABBALAH ON KabbalaOnline.org
Specifically,
for an overview of the recommended articles in the columns:
Holy Zohar, Holy Ari, Mystic Classics, Chasidic Masters, Contemporary
Kabbalists, and more,
click to Vayishlach
one sample:
Mystical Classics
 Messengers
of the Righteous
From Shenei Luchot HaBrit by Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz
According to some scholars, Jacob sent flesh and blood messengers up ahead
to his brother Esau; others claim that they were angels.
Actually, there were
two sets of emissaries, since the struggle between Jacob and his adversary
occurred on two levels: the physical and the spiritual; Esau in this world
and Sam-kel in the celestial regions
To continue, click
here.
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