parasha Vayishlach 5783
“And Jacob sent messengers.” – Genesis 32:4, JPS 1917 Tanach
“This parasha was written to show how H’Shem saved his servant from a stronger foe, and sent his angels to rescue him. In addition it teaches us that he [Jacob] didn’t rely on his righteousness, and made every effort to save himself.” – Ramban, sefaria.org
Previously, the Torah speaks of two camps of angels, one that accompanied Jacob to the edge of the land of Canaan, and another camp that served to accompany him and his entourage once they entered Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their descendants (see Genesis 32: 2-3). Now, at the beginning of parashas Vayishlach, the Torah alludes to these very same angels that were assigned for protective measures (Genesis 32:4).
As is stated, “Jacob sent messengers [malachim] before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom” (Genesis 32:4, JPS). The Hebrew word, malachim can mean messengers or angels. In the literal sense, Jacob sent messengers to Esau; yet, on another level, the angels granted to him for protection, may have also gone ahead of Jacob’ s entourage.
Regardless of the interpretation, if Jacob had the opportunity to seek divine protection from angels who would defend his entourage, he did not only rely on this; rather, he made a three-fold preparation for an encounter with Esau: prayers, appeasement, and a defensive strategy. He prayed to H’ Shem for deliverance from the hands of Esau; sent gifts to Esau to appease his resentment; and he divided the camp, so that if one camp was attacked, the other would have the opportunity to escape.
Although Jacob could have prevailed upon H’Shem to rescue him through an angelic force, he chose humility, by subjecting himself to Esau. He sent droves of sheep, cattle, and goats ahead as gifts for Esau; his servants went ahead of him with these gifts. Finally, when Esau approached, Jacob went ahead of his family and bowed seven times to his brother Esau.
By way of the gifts that Jacob sent ahead, and his own humble posture of subservience to Esau, even calling him, L-rd, out of deference, Jacob brought about a meeting with his brother that became more like a tearful reunion. Esau’s “pity was aroused when he saw him [Jacob] prostrating himself so many times” (Rashi, Genesis Rabbah 78: 8, sefaria.org).
Perhaps, the angels were there for Jacob’s protection; however, he did not avail himself of their services. Neither did he “rely on his righteousness” (Ramban, see above mentioned quotation), as if he was worthy of being delivered from the hands of Esau. He presented himself to his brother Esau, despite whatever the circumstances might be.
Ohr Rishon 