Vayishlach – Peninim on the Torah

And Timna was a concubine to Elifaz, son of Eisav, and she bore Amalek to Elifaz. (36:12)

Rashi cites the Talmud Sanhedrin 99b which explains the Torah’s emphasis on Timna. Avraham Avinu was held in such esteem that people were eager to associate in any way with his descendants. Timna was the daughter of nobility; yet when she came to Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov to convert, she was not accepted. Since she was so anxious to marry a descendent of Avraham, she said to Elifaz, Eisav’s son, “If I may not become your wife, at least let me be your concubine.” This union produced our archenemy–Amalek. The commentators are all troubled by the Patriarchs’ reaction to Timna’s…

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayishlach, 5758

Their flocks, their cattle, their donkeys, whatever was in the town and whatever was in the field, they took. (34:28)

The behavior of Bnei Yaakov begs explanation. Why did they take the cattle and sheep? Let us conjecture that they were justified in killing Shechem and Chamor for their immoral treatment of Dinah. Perhaps they were compelled to kill the men of Shechem for fear that they would seek vengeance. What, however, would justify pillaging their livestock? This act would cause people to think that their motivation for killing was really not sincere. Horav Elchanan Sorotzkin, zl, feels that Bnei Yaakov’s actions regarding the livestock communicates a significant message regarding the underlying reason for Shechem and Chamor’s original offer to…

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayishlach, 5758

And Yaakov was greatly afraid and was distressed. (32:8)

When Yaakov heard that Eisav was coming towards him with an army of four hundred men, he was filled with anxiety and fear. Why? What caused Yaakov to be overcome with fear? Did not Hashem assure him that He would be with him and protect him? Did Yaakov not have faith in the Almighty? Rashi explains that Yaakov’s fear resulted from an overriding concern that he had sinned, thereby causing Hashem to rescind His favor. Twenty two years in the evil environment of Lavan affected him. While it did not influence Yaakov, he still feared that he was no…

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayishlach, 5758

I sojourned with Lavan and have lingered until now. (32:5)

The numerical equivalent of “h,rd“, “garti” is 613, or dhr,, taryag, which is the number of mitzvos the Jew is commanded to observe. Thus, the Midrash interprets Yaakov’s words to mean, “Although I have sojourned with Lavan, I have observed the 613 mitzvos, and I have not learned from his evil ways.” Yaakov was affirming his righteousness, despite his exposure to Eisav’s evil environment. We can derive an important lesson from this pasuk. Yaakov Avinu stated emphatically that he had observed all 613 mitzvos. Yet, he also asserts that he had not been influenced by Lavan’s evil ways. Is it…

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Moshe Marcovich In Vayishlach, 5758, Vayeilech

I can no longer go out and come in, for Hashem has said to me, “You shall not cross this Yarden.” (31:1)

Considering Moshe Rabbeinu’s advanced age, one would expect that his inability to execute the demands of his office physically would impede him from fulfilling his leadership role. But Moshe, however, asserted that “Hashem has said to me, You shall not cross this Yarden.” According to human nature, one undertakes to perform an endeavor, and “afterwards” he waits to see if Hashem is pleased with his plans. This approach is confirmed by the actions of tzaddikim who are mishtadel, endeavor, to do they can, rather than to wait passively for Divine intervention to solve every problem. Yaakov Avinu indicated to his…

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And Timna was a concubine to Elifaz, son of Eisav, and she bore Amalek to Elifaz. (36:12)

Their flocks, their cattle, their donkeys, whatever was in the town and whatever was in the field, they took. (34:28)

And Yaakov was greatly afraid and was distressed. (32:8)

I sojourned with Lavan and have lingered until now. (32:5)

I can no longer go out and come in, for Hashem has said to me, “You shall not cross this Yarden.” (31:1)

YEARS

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