Each week Adas Israel, the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, offers up "Torah Thoughts" which is commentary on the weekly Torah Parsha (Portion). This week we read Vayishlach (Gen. 32:4 - 36:43) - Hebrew for "He sent" the first word in this reading. "Then Jacob sent angels ahead of him to Esau his brother..."
What is the Torah telling us here? The rabbis say that this was done to both impress and to scare Esau. But, there is another message here that righteous people are even greater than angels. When Jacob needed messengers he had the right to summon angels to do his bidding. There is also this about angels. Angels, we are told, are created for one purpose. They are, in a word, static. They do not grow nor decline. Humans on the other hand can increase their righteousness though their striving to be more righteous.
Make sense? In other words we, unlike angels, can continue to grow in our efforts to become better people.
In this portion we also read how Jacob readied himself for the conflict with Esau. He not only prayed but also decided to to offer a tribute to Esau. The rabbis tell us that while we can expect G-d to be our help we must also do what we can ourselves.
Jacob then struggles with the Angel.
The sage, Chofetz Chaim, has said "The Evil Inclination doesn't mind if a Jew fasts, prays and gives charity all day long - provided that he does not study Torah!"
Here we learn about the three pillars of Judaism: Abraham represents kindness and Isaac represents service. It is Jacob who represents the third pillar: Torah. Satan did not confront Abraham or Isaac only Jacob because he knew that Israel could be defeated only if the Jews failed to study Torah.
Jewish history says this is true. In nations where Jews invested in beautiful synagogues and charities but not in Torah study it was not long before the people there assimilated and nearly disappeared.
This is why we should all take the time to study even just a bit of Torah on a regular basis.
When Jacob and Esau finally meet there is this interesting exchange (Gen. 33 9 - 11). Here Esau says to Jacob that he really does not need the tribute because, "I already have plenty." It is then when Jacob responds, "...I have everything."
Which of the brothers was...richer?
Again the Chofetz Chaim says that with these two remarks we see the difference between the world views of Jacob and Esau. Esau said that he had a lot. Even though he had a large amount, he would still want more, for "whoever has a hundred wants two hundred." Jacob, however, said, "I have everything," meaning I am not missing anything at all. Esau constantly wanted more, while Jacob felt great satisfaction in what he had.
Regardless of how much you have, there is always much more that you want. Having the attitude that you never really have enough will cause you constant frustration. If you focus on what you lack or think you lack, your life will be filled with anxiety and suffering. The choice is yours to be truly rich or to be "poor" with many possessions!
If we internalize the attitude of Jacob: I have everything that I need." We focus on what we have and that brings happiness.
To be sure...you have a right to try to acquire more. however, if you are unable to, you will feel calm and serene. if you do acquire more, very good. if not, it is a sign that for your best interests you do not really need any more.
Chanukah Reminder
The holiday starts in the evening of 22 December and ends the evening of the 30th of December. Adas Israel is planning a Chanukah Celebration on Monday evening the 30th at the Shul. Watch for details.
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
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