Vayishlach – Peninim on the Torah

ותמת דבורה מינקת רבקה ותקבר מתחת לבית קל תחת האלון. ויקרא שמו אלון בכות

Devorah, the wet-nurse of Rivkah, died, and she was buried below Bais-Kel, below the plateau; and he named it Allon-Bachus. (35:8)

One expects the Torah to record the lives of the Jewish nation’s most distinguished, intriguing figures. Indeed, the Avos and Imahos, Patriarchs and Matriarchs, were individuals without peer. Their lives represented the Jewish mission; their enduring legacy is the Jewish nation, who are their progeny. Understandably, their lives obscure the lives of those whose impact on the future was less compelling. We are rarely introduced to one of those “obscure” individuals, a person whose impact on the future of the nation, while not as significant as that of the Avos and Imahos, still left an impression. In this parsha we…

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קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5775

I have been diminished by all of the kindnesses and by all of the truth. (32:11)

Kindness is neither an absolute nor a definitive term. Thus, the statement, “all of the kindnesses,” is an appropriate statement. Varied types of kindnesses come in different sizes, shapes and forms. To pay gratitude for all of the kindnesses that Yaakov Avinu received from Hashem is an unqualified statement. There are many kindnesses. Truth, however, is unequivocal. It is conclusive and unmitigated. There is only one truth. There is no “whole” truth versus a “half” – truth, because a half-truth is a full lie! Something is either one hundred percent true, or one hundred percent false. No grey area exists…

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קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5775

I have been diminished by all of the kindness and by all the truth that You have done Your servant. (32:11)

Rashi explains that Yaakov Avinu feared that his merits had been reduced as a result of the kindness and truth that Hashem had performed for him. He was concerned that, since the time that Hashem had promised to be with him, he had become soiled with sin, and this sin would cause him to be given over to Eisav. Rashi seems to be making two statements. First, the Patriarch was worried that the merits which might have protected him had been reduced by his acceptance of Hashem’s favors. True, he possessed many z’chusim, but he was spared until now from…

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ויצו אותם לאמר כה תאמרון לאדוני לעשו, כה אמר עבדך יעקב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5775

He charged them, saying, “Thus shall you say, ‘To my lord, to Eisav, so said your servant Yaakov.’” (32:5)

A number of ambiguities seem to surround the meeting between Yaakov Avinu and his brother, Eisav. Midrash Rabbah posits that Eisav was not on his way to confront Yaakov; rather, our Patriarch instigated the meeting. Yaakov is compared to one who grabs the ear of a dog (Mishlei 26:17) and, as a result, the dog bites him. According to the Midrash, Hashem said to Yaakov, “Eisav is journeying along his way, and you initiate a meeting with him by sending him a message implying that you are his servant, Yaakov.” Chazal indicate that Yaakov erred by getting involved with Eisav….

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ותמת דבורה מינקת רבקה ותקבר מתחת לבית קל תחת האלון. ויקרא שמו אלון בכות

Devorah, the wet-nurse of Rivkah, died, and she was buried below Bais-Kel, below the plateau; and he named it Allon-Bachus. (35:8)

קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

I have been diminished by all of the kindnesses and by all of the truth. (32:11)

קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

I have been diminished by all of the kindness and by all the truth that You have done Your servant. (32:11)

ויצו אותם לאמר כה תאמרון לאדוני לעשו, כה אמר עבדך יעקב

He charged them, saying, “Thus shall you say, ‘To my lord, to Eisav, so said your servant Yaakov.’” (32:5)

YEARS

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