Parashat Vayishlach

I recently mentioned that with the emergence of Jacob (Yaakov) as the central figure in our narrative, the Torah gives us a fuller understanding of his relationship with G-d by the use of rich, descriptive language.

Although the Torah, in Parashat Toldot which we read a few weeks ago, makes a point of showing us that his father Yitzchak was proactive spiritually by offering his own prayers to G-d, “Yitzchak prayed to G-d on behalf of his wife, because she was barren” (Gen. 25:21), in this week’s parasha we are treated to a moving, poignant account of Yaakov’s supplication.

The wonderful 19th century commentator the Beis HaLevi (Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, 1820 -1892, from Belarus) mentions that the more detailed we are with our requests the deeper they penetrate in the spiritual realm. He mentions an seemingly redundant phrase in Yaakov’s prayer, “ Rescue me, I beg you, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Eisov..” (Gen. 32:12). Since Yaakov only had one brother, there had to be a reason for mentioning both his name and his relationship.

The Beis HaLevi teaches that the threat of Eisov, mentioned last, was the the actual physical threat on the lives of Yaakov and his family. But, by first asking for protection from the “hand of my brother”, Yaakov is asking for protection from the influence of Eisov, while living amongst him. Yaakov, says the Beis HaLevi, is afraid of the assimilation that would inevitably take place in future generations due to the destruction of Jerusalem by the descendants of Eisov, and the long exile we still endure.
It is my prayer that all of us can communicate with our creator in detail, that our prayers will penetrate any walls, either real, or imagined, and will be indeed answered.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Greg