Rabbi's Blog

This Parsha weekly is sponsored by Stephen and Manijeh Breskin in memory of Manijeh's mother Mohtaram Shadpour (Miriam Bat Agajon & Soltan) on her Yarzeit this Shabbos, the tenth of Kislev.

Beginning with last week and continuing as I write this, the Jewish people from around the globe are focused on our brethren in Eretz Yisrael. As the events unfold in front of our eyes, we sit in disbelief, awaiting the outcome from these recent events and challenge all of us, and particularly those in Israel face today. I cannot just gloss over a Midrash that I quoted in last week's parsha and leave it thinking it only applies in Parshas Toldos. Rather, I believe this Midrash contains a theme that carries through not only a few Torah portions but until this very day.

The Midrash Rabbah 65:17 I quoted last week describes Yaakov's physical prowess as greater than Eisav's (an image or portrait that is the antithesis of what we think Yaakov was). His two arms were like two pillars of marble. No person could physically stand up against Yaakov, but he never displayed this strength unless it was absolutely necessary to fight his enemies. Yakov struggled with different physical enemies, and I would like to suggest, he also struggled with his own philosophy whether to use force or diplomacy.

Let us take a look at Yakov's life and demonstrate his challenge and how he decided to handle it. Keep in mind the Midrash of how Yakov was physically strong and could have physically defeated many of his foes. We are first introduced to Yakov in his mother's womb, rumbling around with Eisav, his twin. As the battle rages between Yakov and Eisav as to who will emerge first and win the rights of being the bechor, the first born, Rivka feels the discomfort. . Yakov understands the pain and discomfort that his mother Rivka will have to endure during this battle and so he chooses to allow Eisav to leave Rivka's womb first. He does this in order to alleviate the pain of his mother, but shows a sign to his desire to be first by clinging to the heel of his brother.

Thirteen years later Yakov wants to secure the first-born rights from Eisav. He could have easily beaten Eisav up, forcing him into submission to sell the bechora. Instead, Yakov chose to "buy" the rights for a bowl of lentil soup. The reason was twofold; first to have Eisav display carelessness for these rights, and second and more importantly, to have on record that Eisav actually sold the rights; Yakov didn't steal them. Who knows later on in history what people would have said about Yakov and the Jewish people had this sale not been documented. Therefore, Yakov orchestrates getting the rights to the first born in a legal manner.

After Yakov received the Brachos/Blessing from his father, he was forced to flee because Eisav was going to kill him. If one takes note in chapter 27 verse 45, Rivka says to Yakov, "... you should flee to my brother and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there; why should I be bereaved of both of you on the same day?" Rashi, addressing the words 'Gam Shneichem', ' of both of you' comments: 'If he (Eisav) will rise up against you and you(Yakov) will kill him, his (Eisav's) sons will arise and kill you(Yakov).' From here we see that Yakov is at least equally as strong if not stronger than Eisav, as indicated by Rashi that Yakov will kill Eisav. Once again Yakov chooses to flee and not take down Eisav, waiting diplomatically for Eisav to calm down.

Next stop in Yakov's life is living and working for his uncle Lavan. During this time Lavan manipulated Yakov's wages time and time again. Yakov had the physical ability to take out Lavan and take what was rightfully his. Instead, Yakov remained extremely calm, telling Lavan, "You take whichever kind of cattle you want and I will take the other kind." Yakov gives the choice to Lavan, eliminating any possibility that later on Lavan or his descendants will claim that Yakov stole the 'good stuff'. For this gesture Yakov is blessed by God with a great flock and he becomes very wealthy despite Lavan's attempts to take the higher-quality merchandise.

Twenty- two years after Yakov ran away from Eisav, they are going to meet up again. Eisav appears with a massive army intending to frighten Yakov. Yakov has the ability to fight with Eisav but chooses diplomacy instead of a full-fledged invasion. Yakov decides to send gifts to his brother Eisav instead of threatening him and using violence. Yakov utilizes every tool at his disposal to avoid killing his brother Eisav, even though Eisav would love to kill him. Yakov shows great restraint in his showdown with his brother, once again avoiding physical confrontation.

In Parshas Vayeishev we read about the abduction of Dina and the disgrace it brings upon the family. Shimon and Levi, two of Yakov's sons, take matters into their own hands. From a story related to us in Egypt, Yosaif split up Shimon and Levi because he knew of their strength and knew that they could take on the entire Egyptian army by themselves. After Shimon and Levi convinced Shechem and his people to circumcise all their males, they killed them. When Yakov heard about this, he was outraged. Some commentators remark that he was worried about public opinion. I would like to suggest it wasn't only public opinion that he was worried about. Yakov was particularly disturbed that his children did not learn from him how to defuse a sensitive situation. Yakov felt the only time to use force was when there was no other option at hand. But if there were other viable choices they needed to be taken in order to avoid clashes with the enemy.

The Torah states "Yaakov Avinu Lo Meis" Jacob our forefather did not die. We know that Yakov died physically as evidenced by his being buried in Mearas Hamachpela. Chazal teach us that Yakov's fundamental beliefs have not died. Yakov's greatest strength was not his physical might. It was the strength of restraint in avoiding violence. Yakov's middos and character lives on in the bloodstream of his children, the Jewish people. We cannot see it any more clearly than what we are witnessing today. Baruch Hashem, God has given the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael the physical ability to annihilate, to wipe out our enemies who are constantly threatening us and making living conditions unbearable.

We, the Jewish people, have shown the greatest amount of restraint and are being pushed to the limit. It might be the time when Yakov Avinu would say, enough is enough. It's time to rid us of these enemies from our midst. God knows how much we've tried, but the breaking point is near. We hope and pray that Hashem will continue to protect the Jews of Eretz Yisrael and Jews throughout the diaspora as HE protected Yakov Avinu. AM YISRAEL CHAI!

Ah Gut Shabbos Rabbi Avram Bogopulsky