YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
After the confrontation and conciliation between Yaakov and Lavan, a feast took place between the two sides. The Torah tells us that Yaakov "called to his brothers to eat bread," which they did before retiring on the mountain (Bereishit 31:54). The question that the Rabbis ask is: who were these brothers of Yaakov? Different answers are presented.
According to the Midrash Zuta (Kohelet 9:11), it refers to the closest of Yaakov’s relatives – his sons. To explain why his sons would be called his brothers, the midrash posits that since they were approaching his height, he referred to him as brothers. This explanation is difficult for two reasons. 1. The great age difference seems much more significant than the height similarity. 2. The Torah continues that they retired on the mountain and Lavan got up in the morning, which implies that there was some sort of connection between the two subjects of the story on this point, which there is not if it refers to Yaakov’s sons.
The Midrash Sechel Tov (Vayeitzei 31:54) states that Yaakov’s "brothers" were Lavan and his family, who were Yaakov’s in-laws. This approach certainly does not have the difficulties that we raised on the Midrash Zuta’s approach. But why does the Midrash Zuta prefer its explanation, despite its difficulties, to that of the Midrash Sechel Tov?
Apparently they could not accept the possibility that Yaakov would call members of Lavan’s family, who were idol worshippers and cheats, his brothers. There would be a concern that such an act of drawing close would allow in negative influences (as we saw last week regarding Eisav’s marriages to daughters of Chet).
Rashi managed to take the approach of the Sechel Tov and still avoid the problem that we raised. He says that the brothers were the members of Lavan’s family who had developed a good relationship with Yaakov. Apparently, they were compelled to chase Yaakov along with Lavan, but they were good, honest people. Very possibly, they were influenced by Yaakov and were monotheistic. Therefore he could call them brothers. The Ramban posits like the Sechel Tov. The Radak explains that once they had made a treaty, he could refer to all of them warmly.
We can discern in the different opinions clear approaches as to whom one can draw close to and perhaps when one can make treaties with members of other nations. We will continue this theme next week, based on a question which arose in the time of David Hamelech.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
