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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
R. Meir Simcha of D’vinsk, in Meshech Chuchma (Bereishit 30:6), says that Ya’akov omitted the camels to hint to Eisav that their paths were different. Eisav had an important distinction that he, like Ya’akov and unlike Yishmael, was the son of both a patriarch and a matriarch. Eisav also possessed special virtues, as, in Yaakov’s absence, he continued serving his parents, living in Eretz Yisrael, and giving tithes. On the other hand, these virtues were coupled with severe sins, such as murder and adultery (compare Rashi on Bereishit 25: 25,27, & 29). Thus, Eisav had elements of both good and bad, like the camel, which chews its cud but does not have split hooves, (or the pig, to which Eisav is often compared - see Bereishit Rabba 65-1). In contrast, Yaakov was whole in his spiritual status, like the other animals, which had two signs of purity.
Looking further, at the struggle between the descendants of Yaakov and Eisav, we see that those who ride on camels played a prominent role. When David fought the Amalekis, he smote all except 400 young men who escaped on camels (Shmuel I, 30:17). What is the significance of this description? Although Eisav came with 400 men and hostile intentions to meet Yaakov, his entourage is not mentioned when he left. The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 78:15) says that the 400 men did not want to get "burnt by the coal of Yaakov" and abandoned Eisav along the way. The midrash tells us that the 400 escapees can be attributed to the act of those 400 deserters.
The word, "gamal," (camel in Hebrew) can also mean to repay. One should repay a person for his kindness. Eisav and his descendants failed to treat Yaakov and his descendants properly, as the navi, Ovadya tells: "For the oppression of your brother, Yaakov, disgrace will cover you ... as you did, it will be done to you, your repayment (g’mulcha) will return to your head" (1:10-15). The fact that they used the negative elements of the camel, not the positive, is responsible for their ultimate downfall. As Rivka was told and as Ovadya prophesied, Yaakov and his descendants will gain the upper hand and, after Eisav is dealt with, will lead a world where Hashem will have complete dominion (ibid.:21). May it happen soon.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
