בס"ד
After parting from his father-in-law Lavan, Ya'akov prepares to meet his brother Esav, who he has not seen in many years. Recalling the ill will about the stolen blessing from Yitzhak, their father, Ya'akov sends messengers to Esau with a conciliatory message. He expresses the hope that he will be received amicably and hints that any anger towards him should be assuaged because he never received any of the benefits mentioned in the blessing. In any event financially he has not done poorly.
When the messengers respond that Esau is coming with 400 men to meet you, Yaakov is alarmed and fears that he is going to be attacked. He prays for heavenly assistance expressing his fears and mentions G-d's promise of protection. Next he makes military preparations in the event of a battle. Lastly he sends a large gift to Esau in an attempt at appeasement. Even though he is tense, Jacob remains intent on meeting his brother face to face.
He continues on the way and sends his family and all his possessions across the Yabbok stream. However he, himself, remains on the other side alone. At night he encounters an angel who wrestles with him all night. The angel does not prevail and, but succeeds in injuring Jacob inside the thigh. At daybreak before he leaves, the angel blesses Jacob saying he will be a minister of G-d because he has wrestled with man and morality and in the end has won.
The commentaries say that this was the angel, Samiel, who is the archetype of the type of evil that is represented by Esav. Its approach is to dull the inner eye of wisdom so that a person has no perception of truth and is blind to religion. Consequently he is distant from G-d, unconcerned about the ill effects of evil, and cannot comprehend the subtleties of the Torah. This is the devil, the angel of death, and the evil inclination (see Kli Yakar on Genesis 32:25).
My rabbi, Eli Chaim Carlebach explained this episode saying that the angel asked Ya'akov this question: Concerning religion, the Torah, G-d, and morality; Do you really believe it? He continued because the angel could injure him in the thigh, there is intermarriage today. The idea seems to be that money, lust, shallow faith, and trust in guns can be very dazzling attractions to the Jewish mind.
To answer these questions takes peace and quiet. Wife, children and possessions will be distractions. One must really ponder what is in their heart and soul. If a person isolates himself from everything to do this, he will be purified by the inspiration that is received from above (see Sefer HaMidot - Breslav: Seclusion).
לע"נ האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח
העלון ניתן לקבל בדואר אלקטרוני וגם באתר http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com
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