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Upon hearing the grim news that Eisav was approaching, Yaakov was gripped with a terrifying fear. He immediately began preparing for this confrontation. He prepared for battle, prayed ardorously to Hashem, and did teshuvah, repentance. Fear can either be a remarkable asset or a debilitating hindrance. Horav A.H. Lebowitz, Shlita, cites the Midrash which describes another fear experienced by Yaakov’s descendants, centuries later at the time of the miracle of Purim. When Haman’s decree to annihilate every Jew in the Persian Empire, was issued, the Jews searched for a similar precedent in history.  The initial response of the past would…

Rashi explains that Yaakov was telling Eisav, “Despite my stay with Lavan, I have still been able to observe the taryag, 613, mitzvos, and I did not learn his evil deeds.” Horav Yitzchak Z. Soloveitchik z.t.l. once met the Rav of Hamburg. During the conversation, the Rav explained how Yaakov was able to live in the presence of the evil Lavan and remain pure. Yaakov himself gave the reason for his success, when he said, “I have (an) ox and donkey.” As far as Yaakov was concerned, Lavan was equal to an ox or donkey. To Yaakov there was no…