YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Two of last century’s great kohanim – Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk and Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook – provided approaches. Rav Meir Simcha proposed that Yaakov left out camels to hint that his approach was different from Eisav’s. Eisav, the son of two saintly parents, Yitzchak and Rivka, had redeeming qualities – he stayed in Eretz Yisrael for many years, where he tithed his earnings and honored his parents admirably. However, Chazal tell us that these good deeds were accompanied by the most serious sins, including murder and adultery (see Rashi, Bereishit 25:25-29). In that way, the camel represented his qualities, in that it has one of the kosher signs (chews its cud) and yet is non-kosher because of the other one (lack of split hooves). Yaakov, in not associating himself with camels, hinted he was tam (complete) unlike Eisav – his actions did not create any signs of impurity.
Rav Kook, in the section of his siddur that deals with Purim, shows many words/word sets made from the letters of the word megilla. One of the several is gamal kah (Hashem has granted), with the first word also spelling camel. The historical struggle against Amalek (Eisav’s descendant) has an interesting connection to camels. David successfully fought Amalek and the only escapees were "400 youngsters who rode on camels" (Shmuel I, 30:17). Chazal (Midrash Rabba 78:15) connect this fact to the apparent disappearance of Eisav’s 400 men, the original number of the militia Eisav took with him to "greet" Yaakov. However, when Eisav actually encountered Yaakov, the narrative does not mention them, prompting the midrash to posit that one by one, they backed out of the encounter. It goes on to say that these people were rewarded in the form of the 400 Amalekites who escaped David’s battle. This shows us that Hashem grants reward (gomel) to those whose actions warrant it. The gemalim were absent, says Rav Kook, on account of the reward (gemul) of the positive action (gemul tov) that those who did not harm Yaakov’s family received.
This week’s haftara also repeats this concept of gemul for gemul – in the negative. Eisav’s descendants were informed that they will experience harsh gemul for the cruel actions (gemul) they did to Bnei Yisrael (Ovadia 1:10-15). The navi said that their gemul would return on their heads, an idea highlighted by the use of the root four times in one set of p’sukim in Yoel (4:4,7). In this case it was also a fulfillment of the prophecy to Rivka, that the older one would be subservient to the younger one.
May we see the fulfillment of the prophecy of Ovadia (1:21) about the recognition of the sons of Yishmael and Eisav at the time of our liberation. The blessings Yaakov received will show that there is an appropriate gemul for both the positive and negative actions of individuals and nations.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
