VOLUME 118 NUMBER 8
Kislev 15, 5786
December 5, 2025
Parshas Vayishlach
Candlelighting Time 4:17
ON THE RUN!
Yaakov is poised to encounter his nemesis, Eisav and the anticipated encounter may be volatile. He davens to Hashem, prepares for battle and sends a large gift to his brother attempting to assuage his anger. In his prayer Yaakov mentions that with his staff he crossed the Jordan River. Rashi explains that he placed his stick in the river and it split. Of course, one could only wonder why Yaakov chose to mention this in his prayer to Hashem to be saved from the upcoming danger.
Chasam Sofer cites the incident between the great Sage Rav Pinchos ben Yair who accosted the river Ginai to split to allow him to complete his mission to save a hostage. He threatened that he would interrupt its flow if it didn’t abide by his demand. The river initially refused because it is also performing the will of Hashem to flow. However, the commentators explains that there is a huge difference between the request of Rav Pinchas ben Yair and the river. The river is bound to follow Hashem’s will while we have free choice. Therefore, our actions are much greater and significant because we select to accomplish them while the world at large is simply mimicking Hashem’s ‘desire’ that the world should function. Therefore, the Jordan also split to allow Yaakov to return home to honor his parents with his presence.
However, there is a caveat that may differentiate this occurrence from the story of the river Ginai. Yaakov was a fugitive, pursued by Eisav with intent to kill him. Perhaps his passage was not his own choice, rather he was fleeing, trying to avoid the wrath of Eisav. That would place him in the exact same category as the Jordan river where they both are forced to comply with Hashem’s will but not with their own judgement. Therefore, Yaakov davened to Hashem that actually he was not fearful of Eisav rather he was calm and collected with the knowledge that Hashem had guaranteed him that he would return home safely. Therefore, the Jordan river split acknowledging Yaakov’s implicit trust and faith in Hashem and his aspiration to return home honoring his parents.
We live in a world of mistrust and distrust. We are often unsure of whether or not we need to worry because of economic downturns, political upheavals, rising anti-Semitism, wars raging in the Middle East and a slew of other worries that dominate and pollute our minds. We constantly read about what is going to be predicted by ‘experts’ in economics, politics, and global affairs. What happened with the vote of Hashem. Of course, we must on a level of normalcy conduct ourselves with caution and prudence, but do we not realize that as the verse states that the hearts of kings are in the hand of Hashem? Are we so naïve to believe that we can manipulate what is happening and what will occur with our own devices? Let us not veer off the path that Yaakov our Patriarch has chartered for us. Certainly, when Eisav approached Yaakov with his mighty force it could have caused heart palpitations for him. However, it did not and this has been the basis for how previous generations met head on challenges that were presented to them. Let us not forget that the gates of heaven are always open to our tears. Genuine tears as we cry for salvation from our enemies, that our children should grow up and assume the mantle of leadership and carry the torch further and we should merit that day when all the world will come to honor Hashem and His people who never gave up and showed tremendous faith and trust no matter what we confronted.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
When Yaakov eventually met Eisav he presented him with many gifts to calm him down. Eisav responded that he has a lot and therefore doesn’t require more. Yaakov said that he has everything that he needs. K’Sav Sofer quotes his father the Chasam Sofer explaining that the evil are never satisfied with their wealth and therefore Eisav said that he has a lot but parenthetically suggesting that he would take more. Yaakov the Tzadik retorted that he is satisfied with what he has and doesn’t need more. He adds that when Hashem endows that Tzadik with wealth additionally he blesses that individual that he will indeed be happy with what he has!
GOOD SHABB0S
