Parshah • December 2023
Vayishlach – You Too Are Jacob’s Messenger
Jacob sends messengers to appease his alienated brother Eisav. We too are messengers sent out by the Jacob of our era, the Alter Rebbe, whose freedom from Czarist prison we…
Parshah • December 2022
Vayishlach – Packing for Journey
Yaakov’s stay with Lavan is described as ‘garti’ – a temporary stay or estrangement. He never viewed amassing wealth with the rich Lavan as his goal, and viewed his stay…
Parshah • November 2020
Vayishlach – The Future Transformation of Eisav
The battle between the brothers Jacob and Eisav has other worldly dimensions. We note that the war is also fought with their respective angels. Peace will one day ensue, with…
Parshah • December 2019
Vayishlach – The Jury Is Out On Dinah
Dinah is an enigmatic figure in the Bible. She features centrally in our Parsha of Vayishlach. The context is the Jewish people’s desert wanderings and a temporary stay near the…
Parshah • November 2018
Vayishlach – And Where Are You Up To?
This week’s Parsha, VaYishlach, begins with Yaakov sending a peace delegation to his brother Eisav whom he fears is seeking to wage war against him. He provides the delegation members…
Parshah • November 2017
Vayishlach – Kill ’em With Kindness
Eisav’s hatred and jealousy of his brother Jacob, spilled over into threat of open warfare. Family internecine rivalries always bring out the worst in people because of the deeper sensitivities…
Parshah • December 2016
Vayishlach – Transform the Enemy Rather Than Defeat it.
Very often the battle doesn’t have to be fought and argument doesn’t have to be won. More successful is a strategy that creates peace and harmony through loving kindness and…
Parshah • November 2015
Vayishlach – Our Inner Struggles
Before confronting his brother Esav, Jacob is confronted by a strange enemy – Esav’s guardian angel whom he wrestles. Each of us wrestles with our inner ‘demons’ and this battle…
Parshah • November 2013
Vayishlach – Yaakov Mal’achim Lefanav El Eisav Achiv
Angels — what are they? Not cherubic faces with wings — these are cherubs. Angels are forces that maintain existence. But we also create angels with our thoughts, words and…