[Avodah] Yaakov and Esav

[Professor L. Levine]

The following is from part of RSRH's commentary on Bereishis 32:8.


8 Ya’akov was very much afraid and distressed, so he divided the people
who were with him, as well as the flocks, cattle and camels, into two camps.

In Ya’akov and Esav, two opposing principles confront each other.
The struggle between them, and the outcome of this struggle, are the
forces that have shaped world history. Ya’akov represents family life,
happiness and making others happy. Esav represents the glitter of political
power and might. This conflict has raged for thousands of years:
Is it sufficient just to be a human being, and are political power and social
creativity of no significance unless they lead to the loftiest of all human
aspirations, or, on the contrary, does everything that is human in man,
in home, and in family life exist only to serve the purposes of political
triumph?

How different from his attitude toward Lavan is Ya’akov’s attitude
toward Esav. We know how steadfast is the power of one who is sure
of his own integrity, and how oppressive is the feeling of guilt, even if
only imagined. It is easier to suffer wrong and injustice for twenty years
than to face for one minute a person whom we know was offended by
us and who cannot understand our motives, which do not justify our
actions but at least excuse them.


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