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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
So which interpretation is true? In addition, Midrash offers different insights into what occurred when these emissaries of Yaakov, whether angels or humans, actually encountered Eisav and his armed band. One opinion in Midrash is that Yaakov’s emissaries were aggressive and threatening to Eisav, and actually inflicted blows upon his group. Another opinion in Midrash portrayed Yaakov’s emissaries as being conciliatory, friendly and even subservient to Eisav.
So again, which opinion is true and accurate? We see that even within Yaakov his emotions are conflicted. He prepares for war, but at the same time is ready to pay heavy monetary tribute to Eisav.
Later in the Parsha, Yaakov wrestles with an anonymous adversary. Again, Midrash supplies different identities as to who this opponent was. Some say that he was an angel, so to speak, the guardian angle of Eisav. Others say that he was a human being, a highwayman and robber. Still others say that he was an intellectual and scholar. So, once more, we are faced with having to determine what we are to make of all of this. What is the moral insight that Midrash wants to communicate to us with all of these different opinions?
Abraham Lincoln, in one of his famous inaugural speeches to the American public, states that he prayed that "the better angels" within the individual would prevail, thereby ending slavery and preventing deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans in a bitter civil war. Whether angels or humans, Lincoln pointed out, is dependent on perspective.
Yaakov saw angels while Eisav saw only humans. What Yaakov saw as being reasonable, conciliatory and generous, Eisav saw as being threatening and aggressive. Someone may appear to be a scholar and intellectual, or even to be a friend, but may really be only a highwayman and a brigand.
Yaakov, who after his years in the house of Lavan, recognizes this dichotomy of perspective. He knows that Eisav does not see the world and life with the same view as he does. He hopes that Eisav will yet come around to viewing matters in the same perspective as does Yaakov. Though he prepares for war, which is Eisav’s perspective, he combines it with cooperation and even tribute in order to achieve harmony and peace, which is his perspective.
This, I believe, is a fitting metaphor for our times and circumstances. The perspective of Yaakov – the State of Israel and the Jewish world generally – differs radically from the perspective of our enemies and even from our erstwhile friends. We hope to be able to change that perspective and align it more closely with our view. But until that happens we must deal with reality and be ready with both the sword and the olive branch, prayer and good deeds.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
