Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal

While Reuben is the first born he is not the leader of the brothers, Judah is. This is to teach us that according to the Torah leadership does not come by our birth but by our actions.

When Joseph is sent to find his brothers he has a seemingly chance encounter with a stranger. The stranger directs him to his brothers. The encounter did not happen by chance. It was directed by God.

Just as Jacob thinks he is able to relax from the troubles of facing Esau, Laban and Schem new troubles begin. This time from within the family.

Jacob’s reaction to Simeon & Levi’s attack on Schem can only be explained in that he was afraid of becoming like Esau. There is some Esau in all of us and we have to fight to keep Esau at bay.

The Ari once commented that Rachel is not buried where people think she is but that does not matter since so many Jews have prayed there it is as if she is there. We can make a place holy by our actions.

Simeon and Levi destroy the city of Schem for what Hamor did to Dinah. Why the entire city for what one person did? Because the rest of the people approved of Hamor’s actions. They were all complicit.

Chamor did not think that he did anything wrong in abducting and raping Dina. She was from outside his tribe and therefore fair game. The Torah teaches that this attitude was evil.

Jacob has to negotiate with Esau. Jacob has to mollify Esau so that he can enter to the Land. He treats him with the respect that Esau doesn’t deserve. He does this so that he can accomplish his goal.

Jacob stayed behind to find a small vessel. Why, if he was wealthy at this point did he worry about such a minor detail. It is to teach us to worry about the minor details while keeping our eyes on the goal.

Jacob realizes that the danger of staying with Laban is that he will become like him. He knows the best way to avoid this is to leave and return home. It should be remembered that Jacob has goals but he is a realist.