Day: November 25, 2018

Parshas Vayishlach 5779

Bs”d

Parshas Vayishlach (5779)

By Mordechai Dolinsky

After an absence of 21 years Yaakov is at last returning home, having left Esav in a mindset of hatred and is completely ignorant of his present attitude.  Yaakov sends an elaborate, positive message to Esav, communicating the will for brotherly love.  Strangely, in the text of the Chumash we don’t find an answer.  The שליחים did return with a reply from Esav but it was not verbal; עשו הרשע and an army of four hundred marching, pressing forward with hatred and vengeance.  Yaakov receives Esav’s communication of wicked intent and Yaakov’s reaction is clear—he continues to surge on equipped with a presentation of gifts plus Tefilah and readiness for מלחמה.  Amazing, at any moment they can attack.  They finally reached a mutual meeting point, Yaakov bows and the great miracle; Esav’s hatred melts away.    The awesomeness of this great miracle is not quite appreciated as much as it deserves.

We should be זוכה to be inspired.