Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Va Yishlach – and he sent
Torah: Bereishit 32:3 – 36:43
Ya’akov left his home in Canaan twenty years earlier because his brother, Asav, was threatening to kill him for Ya’akov had tricked their father into giving him the family blessing that belonged to Asav.
Avinu appeared to Ya’akov and instructed him to return to his homeland. Following his fathers’ tradition, he obeyed Avinu’s instructions immediately and left Charan. Now we learn that Ya’akov is obeying Avinu in spite of the great fear that he has with Asav. This event is Ya’akov’s “test”, and provides a great lesson for us to consider.
4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall you speak to my master Asav; Your servant Ya’akov said thus, I have sojourned with Lavan, and stayed there until now: 5 And I have oxen, and donkeys, flocks, and men servants, and women servants: and I have sent to tell my master, that I may find grace in your sight. 6 And the messengers returned to Ya’akov, saying, We came to your brother Asav, and also he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him. 7 Then Ya’akov was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; 8 And said, If Asav comes to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. 9 And Ya’akov said, O Elohei avi Avraham, and Elohei avi Yitzak, Avinu which said to me, Return to your country, and to your kindred, and I will deal well with you: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which you have showed to your servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. 11 Deliver me, I pray you, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Asav: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mothers with the children. 12 And you said, I will surely do you good, and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. (Bereishit 32:4 – 12)
The Scriptures teach about two types of fear. The “fear of Avinu” on which faith is built and “the fear of man” which offers us a “tool” by which our faith in Avinu is strengthened.
The “fear of Avinu” leads to wisdom. The “fear of man” leads to sin.
We have the power to choose whom we will serve.
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