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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.
Vayishlach Did Yaakov Avinu bensch gomeil after surviving his encounter with Eisav?
More about Birkas Hagomeil
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
