B"H

Tuesday, Kislev 15, 5784 / November 28, 2023

This week's Parsha is Vayishlach.  In this Parsha, we read about many of the trials which Yaakov encountered while returning home from his father-in-law, Lavan. 

Yaakov hears that his brother, Esau, who wants to kill him, is coming together with 400 men towards them. The Torah tells us that, "Yaakov was greatly afraid and distressed."  Yaakov sends gifts to appease Esau so that he would forgive him for taking their father’s blessings, which Esau wanted for himself. At the same time he prepares for battle and prays for G-d's help.

Even though G-d had promised to watch over him and bring him back to the land of Canaan, Yaakov was still afraid. He was afraid that he may have lost this merit of G-d's protection due to the fact that he was away from his parents for so many years. Whereas Esau, who was with his parents all this time, observed the great mitzvah of Honoring his father and mother, by taking care of them.

The Torah describes a battle between Yaakov and "a man" which our sages say was Esau's guardian angel. Although he was slightly injured, Yaakov wins the battle with Esau’s angel. G-d tells Yaakov, "Your name shall not be called Yaakov anymore, but Israel shall be your name."

The name Yaakov was given to him at birth because he was holding unto the heel of his brother Esau.  Yaakov means "heel" and represents a lower level.  "Israel" means master and leader.  It is due to this story that the Jewish people are called Israel.   

In the end, Esau realized that he wouldn’t be able to defeat Yaakov. Yaakov presents Esau with gifts. He tells Esau, "Take my gift that is brought to you; because G-d had been gracious with me, and because I have enough."

Yaakov tells Esau to accept his gifts. "Because G-d had been gracious and because I have enough."

A Chasid once came to Rabbi Meir of Premishlan and complained that someone in town opened the same business as his.  "I am very worried I will lose my livelihood," complained the Chasid.

"Did you ever see, when a horse drinks water from a river, he kicks his hoof in the water.  Do you know why?"  The Rebbe asked.   "No," replied the Chasid. 

"When the horse looks in the water and sees his own reflection in the water, he thinks there is another horse there. Now he is afraid that the other horse will drink up all the water, so he tries to frighten him away by kicking his hoofs," replied Rabbi Meir.

"It is the same with you!" the Rebbe went on. "You think that if someone else is trying to make a living, it will take away from you. That is not so. G-d has enough for you and for the other person. Whatever is bashert (destined) for the other person will not diminish one bit of that which is destined for you!"

WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY