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Beit Midrash
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Yakov sends angels in advance to Esav to inform him that he is on his way to meet. Couldn’t these angels have warned Esav not to harm Yakov, just as Avimelech was told to stay away from Sara? And in the end, Esav
doesn’t lay a finger on Yakov; the disaster he so dreaded is one disappointing dud! So why was Yakov so fearful?
The key to understanding this whole scenario lies in Yakov’s encounter with the angel. He is alone, yet not quite alone. He wrestles with his deep-seated fear that he – the upright man of Truth, the Ish Chalak - is anything
but. Did he cheat Esav out of his birthright? Did he flee, like a coward, to the house of Lavan rather than confront his brother? Did he swindle Lavan out of his flock, as Lavan alleges? Why, oh why, is he constantly surrounded
by subterfuge rather than sincerity? This is what torments his soul.
The p’sukim dealing with the angel fixate on the word, "panim," face (or variations thereof). Just look at 32:31: "And Yakov called the place (of the encounter) P’niel, for I have seen the Divine face-to-face, and saved my soul."
The face is the body’s most open feature; it reveals everything about us (which is why many countries now ban the full covering of the face). The opposite of the face is the heel, which is hidden and covered. Is Yakov – whose
very name means "heel" – open and honest, or is he indeed a heel? This is the fight he must wage – within himself – and no one can fight it for him. Once he comes to grips with his true persona, Esav is just a powder-puff.
And so the name he receives from the angel, and later is confirmed by Hashem, is "Yisrael," which has the root of "yashar," straight, or honest. But still he retains his original name, Yakov, because this struggle is ongoing and eternal. His descendants – we Jews - must also battle against those who accuse us of being under-handed, devious; that we stole our land rather than fairly inherited or won it.
Like Yakov, each of us must battle our inner fears and traumas. We must be certain our behavior and struggle is moral, justified and noble. Guilt, if we let it, can weigh like an anchor around our necks; we must free ourselves of it
by acting in a holy fashion. Then we truly live up to the name Yisrael, as individuals and as a nation, and have nothing to fear from the Esavs of the world.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
