|
| Window into the Charedi World | Mordecai Plaut, director | ||
|
OPINION & COMMENT
"And Yaakov sent messengers ahead to Eisov his brother . . ."
It is well known that Chazal have studied this parsha over and over, whenever they had to confront the nations of the world. (See Ramban on Bereishis 33:15, quoting a medrash.) They reviewed and contemplated this ancient incident, including the preparations that Yaakov made in advance and the way he responded to Eisov face-to-face, before meeting world leaders over an issue of importance to the Jews. They would try to find some hint or idea that they could apply directly to the situation they were faced with, but, failing this, they were content to imbibe its spirit as thoroughly as they could.
The Power of the Yetzer Hara The posuk (Bereishis 32:25), says, "And Yaakov was left alone and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke." Rashi explains that he was left alone because he forgot some small jars and he returned to fetch them (Chullin 91). Chazal tell us that the `man' who wrestled with Yaakov was Eisav's mal'ach, who is identified by Chazal as none other then Satan, the mal'ach hamoves and the yetzer hora. When the embodyment of these spiritual powers fought with Yaakov, they raised dust that reached Hashem's Throne of Glory. Which idea is expressed by the dust reaching Hashem's Throne? Those Who Trust in Your Name, Truly When the author of the booklet Zichron Yechezkel seeks to describe R' Yechezkel Levenstein's vast trust and faith in Hashem, he tells the following story: The Mashgiach was always of serious mien; one could see the fear and awe of Hashem's majesty reflected on his face and permeating his 248 organs and 365 sinews. Thus, when one of his confidants once entered his room in Yeshivas Ponovezh and saw him smiling, he summoned up his courage and asked what was amusing him. Replied R' Yechezkel, "When I was mashgiach in Mir, I hardly ever received my monthly salary because of the difficult financial situation. I had to exercise my trust in Hashem that my sustenance would come from some other source. But when I began my tenure here in Ponovezh, I received a high salary each month without delay, and felt the lack of my need to practice bitochon, as I had in Mir. But now that it is eight months since I received my last salary, I am again forced to exercise that trait and I must trust and pray that my sustenance come from a different source. This was why I was feeling so pleased." What Did the Rov of Slutsk Forget? It was a historic epoch in time, turbulent, critical and threatening, a frightening period for the Torah world which was being menaced with destruction. All material on this site is copyrighted and its use is
restricted. |
|