Skip to main content

Vayishlach (2025)

Parshat Vayishlach

Dvar Torah
Parshat Vayishlach opens with th dramatic and long-awaited confrontation between Yaakov and his brother Esav. Decades earlier, Esav had sworn to kill Jacob, and now he approaches with an army of four hundred men. In response, Jacob sends “melachim”—messengers—to Esav along with lavish gifts to placate his anger.

Rashi notes something striking: melachim here should be interpreted literally—angels, not human messengers. Even as Esav advances with troops, Yaakov is preceded by a heavenly vanguard. Divine protection is real and present.

Yet despite this spiritual backing, Yaakov refuses to rely solely on miracles. Our sages emphasize that he prepares himself in three ways:

  • Tefillah – turning to Hashem in prayer
  • Doron – engaging in diplomacy with gifts
  • Milchamah – preparing tactically for the possibility of war.

Yaakov teaches a profound lesson: the physical and the spiritual must work hand in hand. Divine help does not exempt us from human effort. Our sages tell us, “Ein somchin al ha-nes”—we are forbidden to rely on miracles—yet at the same time we are urged to pray for them. Judaism asks us to live in both worlds at once: to build, to plan, to act responsibly in the physical realm, while simultaneously recognizing everything ultimately flows from the metaphysical.

Our challenge in the spirit of our forefather Jacob, is to weave these two dimensions together—to engage the physical world with all our strength while anchoring our actions in faith, prayer, and trust in Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom!




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ki-Tavoh (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Ki-Tavoh Dvar Torah – Judaism’s Day 1 Culture As Moshe concludes his review of the commandments on the banks of the Jordan, he tells the people:  “On this day Hashem your G-d commands you to observe these laws.”  The wording is striking— why “on this day”?  Wasn’t this already commanded at Sinai? The classic commentator Rashi explains that the Torah is reminding us to approach it as if every day were “Day 1” —fresh, new, and full of energy. That’s not easy. But the way we can keep Torah alive is by making it personal. When we learn, reflect, and discover new insights, we’re not just repeating old lessons—we’re expanding them, renewing them, and incorporating them in our own lives today. At this point when Moshe concludes his own masterclass (see Ramban), he hands us the baton to keep learning, discovering, and letting that continual renewal be the source of ongoing excitement and purpose in Jewish life. Trivia Following Shabbat, Ashkenazim will ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chayei Sarah (2025)

Shabbat Chayei-Sarah Dvar Torah – The Legacy of Lech-L’cha Abraham — like any Jewish father — is worried. Sarah has passed away, Isaac has come of age, and he needs to find his son a wife. What follows is the legendary narrative of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, journeying to Aram-Naharayim — Abraham’s homeland — where he miraculously encounters Rebecca. Her kindness and generosity shine through immediately, and she unhesitatingly says “yes.” But why did Isaac need a wife from abroad? The same question arises with Jacob — why were the women of Canaan unsuitable for the patriarchs? I once heard a beautiful insight from my sister (whose given name, incidentally, is Rebecca). The defining trait of our patriarchs was their willingness to venture into the unknown in response to God’s call. Abraham heard the command of “Lech Lecha” — to leave behind everything familiar — and he went on to the Promised Land. To join this family and become the mothers of the Jewish people, the mat...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ki-Teitzei (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Ki-Teitzei Dvar Torah - Cultivating a caring mindset This week’s parsha teaches the mitzvah of  Shichecha  (lit. “forgotten”) - that farmers must leave forgotten bundles in the field for the poor, adding a promise  “so that G-d will bless you in all your work”  ( Deu. 24:19 ). Normally, the Torah does not spell out the reward for mitzvot, but Rashi  explains  that here the Torah highlights this blessing to teach us that even an unintentional mitzvah – done simply by forgetting – still merits reward. But why should something unintentional merit reward? Perhaps an answer can be found in Rav Hirsch who explains that Shichecha is meant to change us as people, conditioning our state of mind away from our natural inclination to amass wealth, to one of largesse towards the poor. When we live our lives in a mindset of contribution and care, even deeds we do unintentionally are inspired by a sense of awareness for the needs of others and are sur...
Post a Comment
Read more