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Where did Eisav live when Yaakov was on his way home to Chevron? The beginning of the parasha implies he was living in Se’ir, as that is where Yaakov sent the messengers (Bereishit 32:4). As they part, Yaakov also says that he will visit Eisav in Se’ir (ibid. 33:16). Yet, the end of the parasha (ibid. 36: 6-7) seems to say explicitly differently. Eisav took his family and possessions and left the Land of C’na’an because of Yaakov, because there was not enough grazing land for the vast flocks of the two brothers (ibid. 36:6). Thus, until Yaakov settled in C’na’an with his flock, Eisav was in Chevron. The Ramban (ad loc.) posits that before Yaakov’s return, Eisav lived in Chevron with his family and flock, but spent significant time in Se’ir "on business," with a band of 400 armed men to exert his influence on the area. According to the Ramban, he knew that eventually C’na’an would be Yaakov’s, as Yitzchak had told Yaakov (when he knew it was Yaakov - Bereishit 28:4).
From here, let us part ways with the Ramban and suggest the following approach to Yaakov’s strategy. Yaakov sends his "telegram" to Eisav’s Se’ir address, hinting that he knew that Eisav had a stronghold there. He said: "I have been away a long time until now; I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants, and I am sending to you to tell you to find favor in your eyes" (ibid. 32:6). This may be a nice way of saying: Look, you have been with Yitzchak for a long time. I’m ready to take over looking out for him. Realize it is not a good idea for us to be together because of our flocks. Maybe the time has come for you to move full time to Se’ir. (Perhaps, Yaakov wanted to come with a lot of animals particularly for this purpose.) Eisav approaches angrily, and Yaakov sends him many animals as a present. The present is nice, but it won’t solve the problem of lack of grazing land, as the sum total is unchanged. Eisav suggests: Let’s go together. After all, I live in Chevron, and you are coming to Chevron. Yaakov answers: No, I have to go slowly; I will visit you in Se’ir, where you will certainly be living exclusively by the time I get to Chevron. Indeed, Yaakov goes very slowly, and by the time he gets there, Yitzchak alone lives there (see the language of Bereishit 35:27).
If our thesis is correct, we see that Yaakov is willing to be assertive with the powerful Eisav. While Yaakov is willing to show respect to Eisav, when it comes to the values of separating the two families and having Yaakov take over his father’s spiritual legacy and hold on the future Land of Israel, he politely but firmly stands up for his rights.
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
