Jacob, in returning to his land, prepared himself for his encounter with wicked Esau. He took into account all the possible scenarios and prepared himself for three things: gift-giving, prayer and war (Rashi on Genesis 32:9).
Gift-giving: ?He selected a tribute for his brother Esau from what he had with him?. Jacob said to himself, ?I will win him over with the gifts that are being sent ahead, and then I will face him. Hopefully, he will forgive me.?? (32:14,21)
Prayer: ?Jacob prayed: ?O G-d of my father Abraham and G-d of my father Isaac, You Yourself told me: ?Return to the land where you were born, and I will make things go well with you??. Rescue me, I pray, from the hand of my brother - from the hand of Esau. I am afraid of him, for he can come and kill us all - mothers and children alike.?? (32:10,12)
War: ?Jacob was very frightened and distressed. He divided the people accompanying him into two camps?. He said, ?If Esau comes and attacks one camp, at least the other camp will survive.?? (32:8,9)
In the text, the opposite order is found - war, prayer and gifts. He first prepared himself for war (verses 8,9) and afterwards he prayed (verse 12). In the end, he sent the gifts (verses 14,21). This provides a hint that Jacob first took into account the most reasonable possibility, that Esau would attack him and smite mothers and children. He then took into account the possibility that prayer would help, and finally the possibility that wicked Esau would nullify his hatred and be propitiated. After all, we have the law of nature stated by the Rabbis, that Esau hates Jacob.
Today, our ancestors? deeds presage our own. As the Jewish People return to their land, they too need to take all possibilities into account, in accordance with the order in the Torah. First we must prepare for war; i.e., we must strengthen the Israeli Defense Forces. We must provide them with the needed tools and resources, and we must strengthen the spirit and unity amongst the people. Then, if our enemies attack, we will be able to respond forcefully, and with G-d?s help, soundly defeat them. We have to pray to G-d and to trust in Him to fulfill His promise to the patriarchs and to their children, that they should return to their land and their birthplace and that G-d will show them benevolence. At the same time, we have to exert a great effort to nullify the anti-Semitism of the nations, who are continuing in the pathways of wicked Esau.
We have to study and teach, recognize and explain, to ourselves and to the whole world, Israel?s contribution to mankind, their essence and destiny. G-d chose us from amongst all the nations to shower light and goodness on the world and to increase love and faith. As G-d promised to Abraham, ?I will make you a great nation and you shall be for a blessing. All the families of the earth shall be blessed through you.? (12:2-3) ?I have created this people for Myself so that they will tell My praise.? (Isaiah 43:21)
Gift-giving: ?He selected a tribute for his brother Esau from what he had with him?. Jacob said to himself, ?I will win him over with the gifts that are being sent ahead, and then I will face him. Hopefully, he will forgive me.?? (32:14,21)
Prayer: ?Jacob prayed: ?O G-d of my father Abraham and G-d of my father Isaac, You Yourself told me: ?Return to the land where you were born, and I will make things go well with you??. Rescue me, I pray, from the hand of my brother - from the hand of Esau. I am afraid of him, for he can come and kill us all - mothers and children alike.?? (32:10,12)
War: ?Jacob was very frightened and distressed. He divided the people accompanying him into two camps?. He said, ?If Esau comes and attacks one camp, at least the other camp will survive.?? (32:8,9)
In the text, the opposite order is found - war, prayer and gifts. He first prepared himself for war (verses 8,9) and afterwards he prayed (verse 12). In the end, he sent the gifts (verses 14,21). This provides a hint that Jacob first took into account the most reasonable possibility, that Esau would attack him and smite mothers and children. He then took into account the possibility that prayer would help, and finally the possibility that wicked Esau would nullify his hatred and be propitiated. After all, we have the law of nature stated by the Rabbis, that Esau hates Jacob.
Today, our ancestors? deeds presage our own. As the Jewish People return to their land, they too need to take all possibilities into account, in accordance with the order in the Torah. First we must prepare for war; i.e., we must strengthen the Israeli Defense Forces. We must provide them with the needed tools and resources, and we must strengthen the spirit and unity amongst the people. Then, if our enemies attack, we will be able to respond forcefully, and with G-d?s help, soundly defeat them. We have to pray to G-d and to trust in Him to fulfill His promise to the patriarchs and to their children, that they should return to their land and their birthplace and that G-d will show them benevolence. At the same time, we have to exert a great effort to nullify the anti-Semitism of the nations, who are continuing in the pathways of wicked Esau.
We have to study and teach, recognize and explain, to ourselves and to the whole world, Israel?s contribution to mankind, their essence and destiny. G-d chose us from amongst all the nations to shower light and goodness on the world and to increase love and faith. As G-d promised to Abraham, ?I will make you a great nation and you shall be for a blessing. All the families of the earth shall be blessed through you.? (12:2-3) ?I have created this people for Myself so that they will tell My praise.? (Isaiah 43:21)