In Parshat Viyishlach, Yaakov avinu frantically prepares his family for what he believes will be a deadly attack from his brother, Esav. The angels told Yaakov that Esav was coming with 400 men, and all Yaakov had was his sheep, camels, cattle, and all his family.
The passuk teaches us, “Jacob became very frightened and was distressed; so he divided the people who were with him and the flocks and the cattle and the camels into two camps”(32:8)
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, asks a brilliant question: Why was Yaakov “distressed” that he might have to kill Esav or one of his four-hundred wicked men? This is surely a time of simcha! The opportunity to rid the world of evil is in Yaakov’s hands!
Why does the passuk need to say that Yaakov was both “frightened” and “distressed”?
Arielle Samuel- We learn in the Midrash Rabah that the words frightened and distressed are written to teach two different lessons. Yaakov was frightened that he was in harm and could be killed. However, the word distressed is here to tell us that he was distressed that he might kill others.
ReplyDeleteThe Torah describes Yaakov 's reaction to his encounter with Eisav. The Torah tells us that Yaakov's initial response to the impending meeting was “וַיִּירָא יַעֲקֹב מְאֹד וַיֵּצֶר לו” Yaakov was frightened and distressed. In last week's parsha didn’t Hashem promise Yaakov that He will guard him wherever he goes? How could Yaakov be so afraid if Hashem had promised him he would succeed? Rabbi Mayer Twersky brings sources that can answer this question. The Gemara in Brachot(4b) tells us that Yaakov was concerned "shema yigrom hacheit", perhaps sin would cause Hashem's promise to be cancelled or taken away. According to Chazal, David Hamelech exhibited the same attitude of caution and self-doubt. David said, Master of the Universe, I have trust in You that You will give just reward to the righteous in the future world, however, I do not know whether or not I have a portion among them (shema yigrom hacheit). We see that both Yaakov and David expressed doubt, but remained righteous and faithful precisely because they were wary of the prospect of sin and regression. The doubt exhibited by Yaakov and David showed that they were always careful to avoid sin. The Rambam gives a different answer. The Gemara in Brachot(7a) tells us that any promise Hashem makes for something good, even if it is conditional, will never be taken back. Hashem's promise that he would protect Yaakov was one for the good, and therefore could never be retracted. So why was Yaakov fearful that his sins would cancel the promise? The Rambam answers that it depends on whether the communication took place between Hashem and a navi privately or whether the nevuah was meant to be relayed to others. If the nevuah is private, there is no guarantee that Hashem will not retract it. But if it is to be told to others, it will not be taken back. So, Yaakov was justified in his fear because Hashem's communication was to him alone, and therefore could be taken back.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Zweig says that Rashi comments on this and says that yaakov was frightened that he would be killed and distressed that he might have to kill esav. Why would yaakov be distressed about having to kill esav if one is allowed to kill in self defense? The Mizrachi answers saying that yaakov was worried that his father would curse him for killing his brother. The Gur Aryeh also adds that yaakov was distressed that he might have to kill some of the innocent 400 men that were forced to fight with esav.
ReplyDeleteTamar Dubin:
ReplyDeleteThe Torah describes Yaakov as both "frightened" and "distressed" but what is the significance of these words? Why do they both need to be mentioned? Rabbi Feinstein brings a quote from Buriah to her husband: "Better to pray that evildoers repent, than to pray that the wicked die." Meaning, we should pray that the evil can overcome their evil ways rather then wishing for them to be wiped out altogether, but it can be dangerous to use undesirable methods even to achieve desirable goals (in this case facing Esav). Rabbi Chaim Brisker furthers Rav Feinstein's point by saying that there are two kinds of people on this earth: One who has the view of a cat and one that has a view of a housewife. In the case of a mouse infestation, both the housewife and the cat will want the mice gone. The only difference being that the housewife hopes that there will never be another mouse to eliminate and prays that they will leave on their own if loured out with cheese, however, the cat hopes there will be many more to play with and eat. The nimshal to this is that Yaakov is like the housewife, he wants his brother gone, but he doesn't have the evil will in him to eliminate him, thus ridding the world of ra'ashaim, rather he maintains his distance. From the actions of Yaakov we learn that we should never act out of pure malice even to achieve a positive goal, rather we should search for the righteous alternative.
Rashi explains that Ya’akov feared of his own life and was distressed that he might kill others. Commentators wonder why Ya’akov was so stressed about killing in self- defense? The Melo Haomer suggests that Ya’akov was distressed for killing in self- defense becuase the reason he seeked the birthright was to gain the privilege of performing in the Beit Hamikdash. The Shulchan Aruch explains that a Kohen who has taken a life, even accidentally, is considered to be impure and cannot perform priestly blessings. Therefore if Ya’akov was forced to kill Esav the Birthright would be meaningless. Another answer is provided by the Zichron Shmuel. He suggests that the Talmud discusses Roman emperor Nero, a descendant of Esav, converted and one of his jewish descendants was Rabbi Meir, one of the greatest Tanaim. Killing others actually is referring to Rabbi Meir. The righteous are always concerned with long term effects of their actions. For example, Rashi explains that before Moshe killed the Mitzri he looked into the future to see if the egyptian was destined to have worthy descendants. Therefore, Yaakov was in fact distressed about killing Rabbi Meir.
ReplyDeleteShabbat Shalom!