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Yaakov’s lot was the most tragic of the forefathers. We do not mean in that he suffered torment, but in the fact that his characteristics are most negatively distorted. In truth, Eisav was the one who knew to hunt (Bereishit 25:27), which means to mislead (Rashi, ad loc.) and was the creator of doubletalk, and Yaakov was an unblemished man who did not know how to mislead (ibid.; ibid.). However, in regard to the explicit actions that they took, it appears as if it is Yaakov who is the hypocrite. Eisav seems to have received whatever he needed in life without difficulty, whereas Yaakov had to get what he needed/wanted indirectly and through deception. The one who hated deceit was portrayed as circumspect, as Eisav claims that Yaakov’s very name indicates (Bereishit 27:36). Eisav was not willing to admit that Yaakov’s name meant something else, that he held Eisav’s ankle (akev, which can mean heel or trickery), indicating that it was Eisav who improperly had claimed the firstborn status.
It takes a serious amount of proper self-confidence in order to overcome fundamental characteristics. It is much easier to fight when you know what you are fighting for. When Avraham was thrown into the furnace, he knew that he was thereby doing an act of sanctification of Hashem’s name. It is greater, though, for Yaakov to buy a firstborn status that Eisav did not deserve even though he knew that it would cause him to be besmirched as unethical and antisocial. One needs a self-confidence of "He raised his heart in the ways of Hashem" (Divrei Hayamim II, 17:6), which reduces to nothingness the empty showiness and hypocrisy of someone like Eisav, in order to prevent catastrophe.
"If Your Torah had not been my delight, I would have then been lost in my despair" (Tehillim 119:92). We should not lose our self-control and the realization of our high status in our world (see Bereishit Rabba 63:7). We possess the true foundations of justice, whereas Eisav is haughty about his strong kingdom, which is one of domination and hypocrisy that covers up for its murders and abominations. Eisav’s nation may try to show itself as pretty and pleasant, and claim that our set of ethics are his. He may ask his father: "How do we take tithes on salt?" (see Rashi, Bereishit 25:27). At the end (not yet – Zohar, Ki Tisa), the truth will emerge, and the kingdom of the world of truth will be founded. It is a kingdom of the "hand that holds Eisav’s heel" and smashes all dishonesty.
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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)
